Karachi – 10th August 2005
Mr Altaf Hussain said that for the past 57 years Pakistan is facing numerous problems and has not been able to achieve its due place. Pakistan was created on 14th August 1947 and after one day India achieved its independence. At the time of partition the population of India was way above that of Pakistan. India had more ethno linguistic and cultural groups as compared to Pakistan. India was a vast country with regards to area as compared to Pakistan. He said that India is far ahead of Pakistan in the fields of electronics, information technology, space and education. This is because since its independence, the leaders of India completely abolished the medieval feudal system and made sincere and progressive efforts to synchronise their country with latest technologies and the needs of the time. As a result, today India is number two in computer technology after USA. Where does Pakistan stand today? If we take Karachi for example then we witness that despite being a port city, the city is deprived of clean drinking water, electricity and sewerage system. This can be attributed to the fact that the country never had a sustainable government in place. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was covertly murdered in 1948. It was portrayed then the he died because of his illness but in fact it was a premeditated murder. The first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan was murdered in broad daylight. The country was dismembered in 1971 and despite the Hamood ur Rehman Commission Report not a single culprit has been punished to date.
Mr Hussain asserted that the MQM is the only enlightened and moderate representative party which has emerged from the lower middle, middle class and upper middle class educated masses. The MQM is striving hard to progress the country, particularly every town and city of Sindh Province, according to the demands of the 21st Century. The MQM wants to develop Karachi in such a manner to attract tourists from all over the world. We want to improve the infrastructure of the city including the sewerage system, education and educational institutes, to promote computer technology, establish IT centres, create job opportunities, improve the law and order situation to re-establish the confidence so the citizens can feel safe during outings. However, earlier the MQM was never allowed to work in peace and it is the first time ever that MQM has managed to complete two full years as being part of the government. Most of the developmental plans that one observe in the city were initiated by the MQM elected representatives and this can be witnessed in the files of KDA, KMC and KW&SB etc. The MQM was able to implement and complete various projects previously; however, it was not able to complete most of the bigger projects as it was not allowed to complete its term in the government. It must be remembered that MQM is the only democratic political party which can establish true democracy in the country.
He asked the participants if they would like return of the Stone Age. Would they like the women to be kept in bondage and detained in the homes? Should the women be banned from getting higher education? Should the women be deprived of their right to vote? They participants unanimously replied “No.” He further asked if the participants were aware of the plight of Pakistanis living in the USA, Great Britain and other European countries. The lives of those who migrated from Pakistan for better economic prospects have been made difficult because of the distorted image of Islam propagated by the so-called mullahs. Prior to presenting Hasba Bill in the NWFP, the Taliban were ruling in Afghanistan where they banned the television and issued orders to shoot a woman if she is seen outside her house. All this was in the name of Islam but this is certainly not Islam and has nothing to do with the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Now religious extremist presented Hasba Bill and they say that, women will not have the right to vote and they will not be able to work or get education alongside men. Women to be confined to their homes and to throw acid on the woman who has failed to cover her face. At this point Mr Altaf Hussain openly challenged that if anyone can quote the Holy Quran’s instruction that a woman’s face must be covered then he will resign from politics. He also challenged to produce the quotation from the Holy Quran or any hadith which talks of the “burqa”. As far as education is concerned, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) obligates Muslim men and women to acquire knowledge and education. However, these so-called mullahs are against co-education system and do not allow the girls to receive education with boys. If this is wrong according to the Shariat then how come the daughter of Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the wife of Munawwar Hassan and the sister in law of Maulana Fazl ur Rehma are sitting in the Assembly along side men?
Mr Hussain appealed to the participants not to be deceived by the fanatic and jihadi mullahs and their preachings. The MQM is educating the masses and struggling for reforms. Addressing those who have been building madressahs in Karachi, he said that they should return to their respective provinces and establish madressahs in their territory. The people of Karachi are well aware of Islam and have total faith and belief in the Allah Almighty and his Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The Holy Quran is for all the human beings and not only for Muslims. He warned the mullahs not to present their tribal system as Islam because this will disparage Islam and the educated people refuse to accept or adopt the tribal culture in the name of Islam. These mullahs want to portray the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as narrow minded whereas in fact the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) came to enlighten the world with wisdom and knowledge and preached for respect for everyone. Citing an example of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Mr Hussain said that one old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Muhammad whenever he passed through her house. One day when the Prophet was passing by, the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. He (PBUH) stopped and asked about her well-being. The Prophet was informed that the woman was sick on bed. The Prophet visited the woman. The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of the Prophet. By the example of greatness of Muhammad, she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God and Islam was the true religion.
Mr Hussain said that the mullahs present the wrong connotation of jihad. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) never attacked any country in his entire life. In all the three initial wars the Muslims did not attack but in fact the infidels attacked the Muslims. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) only defended. He never raised his sword for reason other than defence and never attacked anyone. Immediately after capturing Mecca He announced general amnesty to all including those who took refuge in Abu Sufyan’s home.
He said that an old woman brought her son to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to advise him not to take too much sugar as it was affecting his health. The Prophet asked her to bring the boy after three days. The old woman brought her son after three days. The Prophet simply told him not to take too much sugar in future, as it was not good for his health. The old woman exclaimed: "Prophet, this simple advice you could have given my son three days earlier, why did you ask me to bring him again today?" The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) explained to the old woman that as he himself was fond of sugar, he did not think it proper to advise the boy. "Now," he said, "I have decided not to take sugar in future." This again proves that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) preached what he practised. He actively participated in the three battles and when in the Battle of Uhad his orders were not followed by the Muslims and the infidels attacked from behind then he himself fought the battle and even got injured. However, today the mullahs who preach for jihad do not go to jihad themselves nor they send their own sons or daughters for jihad. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did not use his power to make everyone Muslim but in fact they were allowed to practice their religion. The Holy Quran is the blessing for the entire universe which is being portrayed as a jihadi book by these mullahs. Because of their ill-intentions, Islam is being laughing stock throughout the world.
Quoting the Holy Quran Mr Hussain said, “[1.1] All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds”, which means that He looks after those who believe in Him and those who do not. “[1.2] The Beneficent, the Merciful”, not only for His followers. “[1.3] Master of the Day of Judgment.”
The so-called champions of Islam are issuing decrees to murder, to attack the mosques and imam bargahs, to create rifts and differences amongst the Muslims and to take the Muslims back to the Stone Age. They preach to attack the worship places of Christians and Hindus. Mr Hussain said that the MQM believes in the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his teachings and therefore believes in providing complete safeguard to the rights of minorities. On the Day of Judgement, the Allah Almighty will be the Judge to decide but these mullahs are proclaiming Shiites, Sunnis, Deobandis, Barelvis as infidels. The MQM does not believe in any such decree and will never be with those who issue such decrees.
Quoting the Holy Quran he said: [2.61] And when you said: O Musa! we cannot bear with one food, therefore pray Lord on our behalf to bring forth for us out of what the earth grows, of its herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions. He said: Will you exchange that which is better for that which is worse? Enter a city, so you will have what you ask for. And abasement and humiliation were brought down upon them, and they became deserving of Allah's wrath; this was so because they disbelieved in the communications of Allah and killed the prophets unjustly; this was so because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits. [2.62] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. Mr Hussain further quoted the Holy Quran: [3.26] Say: O Allah, Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surety, Thou hast power over all things. [45.13] And He has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, all, from Himself; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
Mr Hussain said that the Allah Almighty is totally unbiased so if the people of Great Britain are able to reflect on the signs then He rewards them with a huge Empire and if the Muslims would not have been so busy with infighting and would have sought knowledge and wisdom then they would have been the super powers today.
Quoting the Holy Quran from Chapter Hypocrites: [63.1] When the hypocrites come to you, they say: We bear witness that you are most surely Allah's Apostle; and Allah knows that you are most surely His Apostle, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars. [63.2] They make their oaths a shelter, and thus turn away from Allah's way; surely evil is that which they do.
Mr Hussain said that in these verses Allah Almighty is saying that these are hypocrites and liars and the curse of Allah Almighty will befall upon them. He said that the so-called mullahs interpret the Holy Quran to suit their views which is the greatest sin. Mr Hussain appealed to all not to support those who have distorted the image of Islam in the world. He appealed to such mullahs to stop meddling with the Holy Quran by making false translations and interpretations.
He praised the MQM workers for organising this public rally in less than 24 hours. He said that this proves that MQM is a righteous party and that its workers are hardworking and committed. He thanked all the participants for coming to attend this public rally and extended his tributes to all those who facilitated the workers of Society Sector in arranging this public rally. In the end he appealed to the voters of Society Sector to vote for the success of Haq Parast candidates.