SO-CALLED MULLAHS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PATHETIC STATE OF AFFAIRS OF PAKISTAN-ALTAF HUSSAIN WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND WE SHOULD RESPECT EACH OTHERS RELIGIONS ON THE BASIS OF HUMANITY

SO-CALLED MULLAHS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PATHETIC STATE OF AFFAIRS OF PAKISTAN-ALTAF HUSSAIN WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND WE SHOULD RESPECT EACH OTHER'S RELIGIONS ON THE BASIS OF HUMANITY

London - 9 August 2004

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) said that so-called Mullahs are responsible for the pathetic state of affairs of Pakistan who have always been supporting the dictatorial and oppressive rulers and serving the vested interests of the super powers by exploiting innocent Muslims under the guise of religion and “Jihad”. He further added that it was now imminent that everyone manifests religious tolerance and despite differences in religions and beliefs everyone is a human being and therefore, everyone should respect each other’s religion on the basis of humanity.

Mr Altaf Hussain expressed these views during his telephonic address from London to Houston during the 9th.Annual Convention of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in the United States of America. A large number of MQM office bearers, workers reached Houston from various states and American-Pakistanis living in Houston attended the gathering. Besides Pakistanis, prominent dignitaries of Houston that included Mrs. Sheryl Ropollo (City Council Member, Houston City, Democratic Party), Mr Sylvester Turner (State Representative, Texas House of Representatives and House Speaker for Tempore), Ms. Kathy Stone (a Democratic Party Nominee for Harris County District Judge) and Councilors Mr Ron Green, Mr Masroor Javed Khan, Mr Richard Morrison (Democratic Party), Representative of Mr Bill White, Mayor of Houston, representative of Mrs. Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of U S Congress and Mr Al Green, candidate of the Democratic Party also attended the gathering to which Mr Altaf Hussain addressed . Besides, Mr Altaf Hussain, Mr Al Green, Mr Richard Morrison, Mr Masroor Javed Khan and Dr Farooq Sattar, Parliamentary Leader of the MQM in the National Assembly of Pakistan also addressed the gathering who had specially flown to Houston to attend the Convention.

Mr Altaf Hussain addressing the Convention stated that no religion of the world preach hatred and brutalities but to the contrary teach respect for human beings and humanity. He added that the reasons for restlessness that we see today in the world is due to the reason that we talk about religions, but generally do not practice religion in accordance with its essence and spirits, the same is the case with the governments, both Muslims and non-Muslims governments act in the similar way. Citing an example, he said that the establishments of the United States act totally to the contrary of the teachings of Christianity in cases of Civil Rights while the teachings of the Prophet Jesus is to respect humanity rising above the biases of caste, colour, creed, language and status.

Mr Altaf Hussain asserted that while the teachings of the Prophet is to love human beings, help the deprived and oppressed while the reality unfortunately is that the United States of America has been supporting the monarchs, dictators and oppressive rulers in the third world. Similarly, the acts of the rulers of Muslim countries are totally opposite to the teachings of Islam, he added. He further affirmed that Islam is not only a religion of rich and privileged but is the religion of all Muslims and discrimination on the grounds of caste, colour, creed, language and status is entirely converse to the teachings of Islam. However, unfortunately, all these are happenings in the Islamic countries, he said.

Mr Altaf Hussain addressing the representative of the U.S. Congress and other U.S. dignitaries present in the Convention said that through them he appeals to the establishments of the United States and people at the helm of affairs to reshape the U.S. foreign policies and instead of supporting the monarchical, dictatorial and oppressive governments, they should support the genuine representatives of the people which would not only be beneficial for the peoples of the world but also be in the interests of the United States of America. He further added that now is the time to ponder about the bitter realities that who created Talibans, Al-Qaeda and similar other religious extremists groups? On whose support the Talibans, Al-Qaeda and other terrorists groups have today become monsters? He vowed that innocent Muslims are not responsible for the creation of these extremists’ outfits and groups. Ordinary Muslims are not against Christians or people of belonging to other faiths but having total faith in humanity, they respect peoples belonging to all religions and faiths. He said that therefore, terming all Muslims religious terrorists would be totally wrong. He emphasised that it is now essential that people of all religions and faiths demonstrate tolerance and try to understand the reality that religions are personal beliefs of peoples.

Mr Altaf Hussain confirmed that generally people inherit faith of their parents and only microscopic minorities convert to other religions influenced by its teachings. He stated that the fact, is that peoples are human first irrespective of their religious beliefs and the blood running in their veins bears the same colour despite differences in their faiths and beliefs. All human beings have similar flesh and body and if infliction of a wound would hurt any Muslim then the same infliction of wound also result in the similar pain belonging to other religions. It is therefore, in the name of humanity, we should respect peoples belonging to all religions and faiths and if we respect other religions, the believers of other religions would then respect us.

Mr Altaf Hussain deliberating on Muslim Ummah said that instead of criticising others, we should exercise self-accountability and accept the ground realities, however, bitter it may be. He further added that non other but the so-called Mullahs are responsible for the situation Muslim Ummah is confronted with today, they have been supporting the dictatorial and oppressive regimes and exploiting the innocent Muslims under the guise of religion and “Jihad” to serve the vested interests of super-powers. He further said that these Mullah issue decrees labeling people infidels, teach hatred and pitch one another in the name of sects and jurisprudence. He said that his teaching is that instead of raising fingers at each other in any country, regions or towns, they should worship in their own mosques, imambargahs even Hindus, Christians and people of different faiths should have unfettered freedom to worship in their temples, churches and places of their worship, protect each others places of worship, no one should have the fear and everyone should feel the sense of protection.

Mr Altaf Hussain declared that MQM is the only party that is not only struggling against the religious fanaticism and extremism but also standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with international community in the war against terrorism. He further said that MQM is a peaceful political party and it is against terrorism in all its shape and manifestations. MQM believes in Civil Rights and desires that all citizens of Pakistan have equal rights irrespective of their cast, creed, colour, gender, ethnicity, region, status, sects and religion. He stated that MQM believes in the philosophy of “Realism” and “Practicalism” and believes that the sustenance, progress and a bright future of the country lies in the “Middle Class Order” instead of corrupt medieval feudal system in vogue since the inception of the country. He stated that if 56 years old history of Pakistan is analysed then what have the rulers given to the national treasury except loot, plunder and misappropriations of the national exchequer? Tragedy is that the plunderers are considered the most patriotic while those oppose the loot and plunder are destined to exile.

Mr Altaf Hussain exclaimed that he was suffering from the pain of living in exile for years but he would, however, steadfastly continue to speak truth and condemn lies and until his last breath, he will continue to struggle for such a system in Pakistan which will base on Civil Rights where people will rule instead of feudal lords. He further attributed that MQM is the only party in which there are no feudal lords and it is genuinely struggling to establish the “Middle Class Order”, gain the Middle Class and downtrodden the rightful place, MQM wish to end the impoverishment, educate the deprived and wish that the deprived people attain their basic rights. It is therefore; the Pakistanis living abroad should co-operate and strengthen the MQM in its struggle. Addressing the American Pakistanis, he said if they are American citizens and permanently living there, they should participate in all spheres of U.S. life and not isolate themselves from societal activities. He finally advised all students to learn information and technology not only for achieving the degree but literally have its thorough understanding. Concluding, his address he congratulated all the office bearers and workers of the United States for arranging the 9th. Annual Convention of the party.