DEMAND FOR RIGHTS AND STRUGGLE FOR HONOURABLE LIFE IS THE BASIC RIGHT OF EVERY HUMAN BEING – ALTAF HUSSAIN

THOSE WHO PURELY WORSHIP ALLAH ALMIGHTY DO NOT SUBMIT TO ANYONE ELSE AND ALWAYS STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION

London - 20 June 2000

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, has stated that to demand fundamental rights and struggle to live a honourable life is the basic right of every human being. Islam not only provides every human being with the right to live honourably but also teaches to rid of the curse of slavery and struggle for a honourable life. Those who do not struggle to live an honourable life, surrender against the oppression and submit to the life of slavery are not only negating themselves as human beings but are also violating the teachings of Islam. He was addressing a congregation gathered to recite the Holy Koran at the International Secretariat in London to observe the anniversary of the martyrs of 19 June 1992.

Mr Hussain said that it would not be improper if we interpret the 19 June 1992, as the ‘Day of Oppression’ and the ‘Day of Barbarism’. Because on that day, the Army commenced the uncalled for and worst kind of State operation in the urban centres of Sindh against the Mohajirs, who are the founders of Pakistan and their children. After eight years, this operation is still continuing. During this operation, thousands of MQM workers and supporters have been brutally killed after being unlawfully arrested, thousands were unlawfully arrested and inhumanly tortured in State torture cells, thousands are still languishing in jails including the elected representatives, on false and fabricated charges, dozens have been awarded death sentences in false and fabricated cases. More than 28 workers have been reported missing from State custody and thousands of families have been forcibly displaced from their homes.

Mr Hussain said that to crush the MQM, the Establishment has formulated a policy to implicate whosoever joins the MQM in dozens of fabricated and baseless cases of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, regardless of his previous clean and respectable past, education, profession or position. This is done with a view to portray them as criminals and terrorists. Mr Hussain said that not a single leader of the MQM has been spared who has not been falsely implicated in dozens of fabricated cases. “What crime have we committed?” Mr Hussain asked. What was the crime of thousands of our companions who have been ruthlessly murdered since 19 June 1992? What is the crime of thousands of our workers and elected representatives who are languishing in jails? What is the crime of the Mohajirs that they are being punished through State oppression? Have the Mohajirs committed a mistake by creating Pakistan? He asked.

Mr Hussain said that MQM has never talked of breaking-up the country. We are peacefully struggling for the attainment of our rights. But in the eyes of the Establishment, the biggest crime is to demand our rights and; therefore, we are presented with corpses and worst form of State oppression was unleashed upon us, which is continuing even today. Mr Hussain said that to demand our rights and struggle for a honourable life is the basic right of every human being.

Mr Hussain said that Islam also provides the right to every human being to live with honour and dignity; and its teachings to get rid of the curse of slavery and struggle for a honourable life. And those who do not struggle for a honourable life are not only negating themselves of being a human being but also violating the teachings of Islam, the Allah Almighty and His Prophet (PBUH). He said that Allah Almighty has blessed us with brain, arms, legs, eyes, ears etc, to use them and instead of accepting the dishonoured life of slavery through the use of knowledge and limbs one should struggle for a honourable life. He said that if someone is using oppression against you and instead of struggling against such oppression you continue to endure the oppression then such acts are against the teachings of Islam and Allah Almighty will ask from you that when he had provided you with knowledge, wisdom, arms, legs, eyes, ears etc, then why did you not struggle against the oppression and remained silent? He said that if someone worships a lot but does not struggle against the oppression and accepts the life of slavery then the worship does not remain ‘pure’. Because those who worship Allah Almighty with purity do not bow down to anyone else and always struggle against oppression.

Mr Hussain reiterated that Mohajirs also want their rights and a honourable life for the coming generations. For this purpose, we will continue our struggle until our last breath. We will not accept the life of slavery at any cost. It is our determination that regardless of the oppression, we will never surrender in front of the exploitative forces.

Addressing the congregation and the workers and supporters of the Movement, Mr Hussain said that for the sustenance of the nation, honourable life and better future for the coming generations, they should demonstrate their unity and should not let the sacrifices of the martyrs go in vain. At the end, Mr Hussain lauded the sacrifices of all the martyrs, including that of 19 June 1992, and prayed that Allah Almighty should accept their sacrifices, help us and punish the oppressors. (Amen)