ALTAF HUSSAIN DECLARES THE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AND STRIKE
CALLS IN THE NAME OF ISLAM AS AN UN-ISLAMIC ACT

PAKISTAN’S NAME IS NOT ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF SINDH OR
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF KARACHI--ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 23^rd December 2006

MQM Founder & Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has stated that is Pakistan’s name Islamic Republic of Sindh, Islamic Republic of Karachi or Islamic Republic of Pakistan–and if the religious parties do wish to protest on any issue then they should carry out their protests throughout the country. While declaring the protest demonstrations and strike calls in the name of Islam as un-Islamic. He said that in religion there is no precedence of protest demonstrations and strike calls in the Islamic history.

He also commented that Pakistan’s name is not Islamic Republic of Sindh or Islamic Republic of Karachi –and if the religious parties do wish to protest on any issue then they should carry out their protests throughout the country. He warned the religious parties that they must stop targeting Sindh, particularly Karachi, for their protest demonstrations to disturb the peace and calm of the province –or else the educated people of Sindh will be compelled to react against these religious parties. He was expressing these views while addressing the meeting of KKF (Khimet-e-Khalq Foundation) volunteers and MQM workers of Karachi and Hyderabad organised in preparation for collecting of hides of sacrificial animals on occasion of the Eid-ul-Adha.

Commenting on the Women Protection Bill, recently adopted by the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan, he said that if the religious parties have any reservations that this Bill contains certain clause which are against the Islamic teachings and preaching then they should have registered their protest in the National Assembly, Senate and countrywide. The Women Protection Bill or any other issue with regards to Islam affects the whole country, then why the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and other religious parties are targeting Sindh and particularly Karachi for their protests? He asked is Pakistan known as Islamic Republic of Sindh or Islamic Republic of Karachi or it is Islamic Republic of Pakistan? Why then the religious parties target Sindh and particularly Karachi for their protests? He challenged the religious parties to cite a single example of protest demonstrations and strike calls during the era of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Khulfae Rashideen. He explained that certain Companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) had reservations on certain issues but we cannot find a single example of strike calls and protests. It is, therefore, totally against the Shariat, to call for strike and protests in the name of religion (deen). He appealed to the religious parties to register their protests on religious issues according to the Islamic teachings and preaching and refrain from committing un-Islamic acts.

Mr Husain said that the MMA is in Government in the Province of NWFP and Balochistan; and the headquarter of Jamaat-e-Islami, i.e. Achra, in Lahore; however, these religious parties have not held any protest demonstration or called for strike in the Province of NWFP, Balochistan or Punjab. If an issue is un-Islamic or against the Islamic jurisprudence then it should be for all the Muslims of all the provinces of Pakistan and if the religious parties want to protest against such issues then it should not be targeted and confined to Karachi and Sindh alone but should be organised countrywide. He invited the people of Pakistan to think of the reasons behind confining the protests and strikes only to Karachi. He categorically stated that to target Karachi for protest demonstrations and strikes is not a service to Islam but there are ulterior motives behind this conspiracy.  He warned the religious parties to stop targeting Sindh and particularly Karachi with a view to disturb the peace and law and order situation of the province or else the educated people of Sindh will be compelled to react against these religious parties.

Speaking of the strike call of 15^th December 206, he said that the conniving elements conspired to instigate the Pakhtoon-Mohajir clash; and these elements targeted only the Urdu speaking localities; took them off the mini-buses and buses, subjected them to torture, mugging, looted their homes and misbehaved with the womenfolk. Similarly these conniving elements set alight the stalls of poor Pakhtoons in Federal B Area so that the news will spread throughout the city; with a view to restart the Pakhtoon-Mohajir clash in the city. This conspiracy was however foiled through the sustained and committed efforts of the Punjabi, Pakhtoon, Sindhi, Baloch, Seraiki, Kashmiri and other communities and for this he expressed his gratitude and paid huge tributes to them.

Speaking on the role of KKF, Mr Hussain said that for the past 30 years, KKF is serving the poor and needy of the country, especially after the devastating earthquake of 8^th October 2005 – the people of Pakistan and throughout the world witnessed that the volunteers of KKF wholeheartedly served the earthquake affectees. In Pakistan and throughout the world, the MQM Units collected funds and relief goods and dispatched the same to NWFP and Kashmir. More than 3.5 billion Rupees worth of relief goods were dispatched and are still being delivered. No other political or religious party served the earthquake-affected areas in the similar manner as has been carried-out by the MQM and KKF.

Giving details of the aid provided by the KKF to the poor and needy of the country including the widows and students he said that to serve the humanity is the biggest worship of all. The MQM is not striving only for the political and basic rights of the poor people but also its charitable wing, the KKF, is also practically engaged in serving the humanity. He said that the people of Pakistan are witness that the KKF does not make tall claims but is practically serving the poor and needy, therefore, the citizens of Pakistan should fully cooperate and support this organisation. He passionately appealed to the affluent people of NWFP, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Azad Kashmir to donate the hides of sacrificial animals to the KKF on Eid-ul-Adha to support the organisation wholeheartedly, which is providing relief to the poor, needy and affected people and thus enabling the KKF to continue serving the people of Pakistan.