IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO REPLY WITH LOGIC TO ALL ARGUMENTS AND ADOPT THE ATTITUDE TO EITHER CONVINCE OR BE CONVINCED – ALTAF HUSSAIN
SLAM PREACH RESPECT FOR HUMANITY AND NOT TO SPREAD HATRED IN THE NAME OF RELIGION

London – 13 November 2003
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that Almighty Allah is for the entire universe and Islam preach respect for humanity and not to spread hatred in the name of religion.  To label those who believe in the oneness of Allah, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the Holy Quran as infidels is totally un-Islamic and not according to Islamic jurisprudence (Shariat).   He said that the Muslim Ummah is passing through a critical phase.  In the present scenario more than 50 Muslim countries were unable to devise a cohesive line of action.  A few days ago all the Muslim countries presented their views in the conference of Muslim countries in Malaysia but unfortunately were not able to formulate an affective line of action.  He was addressing a huge gathering of religious scholars at the Khurhseed Begum Memorial Hall at Azizabad in Karachi today.

Mr Hussain said that when the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) presented the righteous message, he faced the opposition from the leaders of Mecca.  They showed disrespect towards him and subjugated the Venerable Companions of the Holy Prophet.  However, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) neither retaliated nor he adopted their attitude.  This line of action is a model for us to follow but the leaders of Muslim countries and certain religious scholars are not following the footsteps of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).  When despite all the offers from the infidels of Mecca, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) continued with his righteous message – the infamous leaders of Mecca planned for his assassination.  Even after that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) didn’t order for jihad but ordered his Venerable Companions to leave Mecca and migrate to Medina.  After migration to Medina, the Prophet (PBUH) continued his preaching of religion, increased the followers of Islam and for seven years prepared to face any attack or battle with infidels.  During this period the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhad took place where the infidels had to run away from the battlefield.  However, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) never instructed to follow them to Mecca.  When the infidels attacked for the third time, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) preferred to besiege in trenches rather to fight.  And when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) saw that if these battles continue then he will not have the opportunity to spread Islam then he made the Peace Treaty of Hudaibia.

Mr Hussain said that certain religious scholars issue the decree of jihad but are we able and do we have such military capabilities to challenge the super powers?  If these scholars would argue that Pakistan possesses the atom bomb then they must not forget that Russia also possessed atom bombs but were these enough to prevent the disintegration of Russia?  During wars not only military weapons but also unity amongst people of the country is vital.  Our country does not have the unity, which is the need of the time.  The people at the helm of affairs continue to blatantly propagate the lie that the country is united.  We are not united on ethnic and linguistic basis and sadly enough in the name of religion we preach to murder each other.  In such circumstances our enemy doesn’t need to attack us.  Sectarian differences have prevailed for the past 1400 years and no one has been able to fully convince others.  All the Imams^RH had differences based on fiqah (Islamic jurisprudence) but none of them branded the other as “infidel” or issued decrees of infidelity.  In fact, Ijtihaad means to accept and respect the methods of worship of each other.  When Muslims, belonging to all fiqah and maslak, living in Pakistan believe in the oneness of Almighty Allah, the Holy Quran, the Seal of Prophet (Khatme Nabuvat) and worship according to their practices – then how can they be branded as infidels?  The Holy Quran does not tell us to murder anyone on the basis of differences of fiqah.

Mr Hussain said that Islam means peace, safety and security.  Islam does not preach for violence and terrorism neither does it preaches murder in the name of differences on Islamic jurisprudence.  It is our obligation to reply with logic to all arguments and adopt the attitude to either convince or be convinced.  The argument that after entering the circle of Islam one’s ethnic identity ceases to exist needs to be corrected.  Allah Almighty declares in the Holy Quran, “[49.13] O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”  It means that having one’s identity is not un-Islamic and those who consider it to be un-Islamic are negating this Quranic verse.  The religious scholars must preach that to be a Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pakhtoon, Kashmiri or Mohajir is not a sin.  A Venerable Companion of inquired from the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that is it prejudiced to love one’s nation?  The Holy Prophet (PBUH) replied that to love one’s nation is not prejudice; however, to support the oppressive acts of one’s nation is a biased act. 

Mr Hussain said that unfortunately those belonging to the province of Punjab are considered patriotic whereas the patriotism of the people of other provinces is questioned.   This act of doubting their patriotism will increase the sense of deprivation amongst the people of smaller provinces.  This has created a difference of being more patriotic or less patriotic amongst the citizens of the country.  Today the people of smaller provinces object on being considered as non-patriotic.

Mr Hussain said that objections are being raised over opening of Khokhrapar Border that the Muslims of India will enter into Pakistan but no objection is raised on the Wahga Border in Punjab, which remains open.  By opening the Khokhrapar Border people of Sindh will not only save money but also thousands will be employed. The leaders of Punjab oppose the opening of Khokhrapar border but Sikh pilgrims who come from India through Wahga border are welcomed and provided full television coverage.

Mr Hussain said that MQM emerged from the middle class.  It wants to strengthen Pakistan and rid the country and its people of feudal system.  It speaks for respect and rights for all.  It is for this reason that without any justification on 19 June 1992 an army operation was launched against the MQM.  Indiscriminately all the Urdu-speaking citizens, whether belonging to the MQM or not, were subjected to oppression.  During siege and search operations, they were arrested, their shirts taken off and herded like animals and humiliated.  This operation was carried out by none other but a Muslim Army.  During this operation, the great grandson of Maulana Hasrat Mohani, the great leader of Independence Movement, and thousands of other youngsters were subjected to brutal torture and extra-judicially murdered.  Pakistan came into being for the 100 million Muslims of the Subcontinent and not for a specific group or breed.  The religious scholars of both the Sunni and Shiite participated with fervour in the creation of Pakistan; therefore, it is wrong to kill each other on the basis of fiqah (Islamic jurisprudence). 

Mr Hussain while criticising the undemocratic attitude of the opposition parties said that they adored the uniform of General Ziaul Haque but hate the uniform of General Pervez Musharraf.  For the whole one-year they have not allowed the parliament to function.  He instructed the MQM Members of National Assembly to present a bill in the parliament against sectarianism and the murders on sectarian basis.  He said that for speaking out for unity he has been labelled as the agent of Qadyanis, Shiites and Israel and false decrees have been issued against him.  He said that his grandfather was the Mufti of Agra and his decrees are still preserved in the Agra Mosque.  He said that he is the blood of Mufti of Agra City and vows over his late father Nazeer Hussain that those who are issuing decrees against him can have open debate on jihad.  Jihad means to struggle and not terrorism and violence.  The so-called leaders of religious parties send others sons to be killed in the name of jihad but their own children are sent abroad for studies and their daughters are made Members of Assemblies.  An individual person or an organisation cannot proclaim jihad because the State or the Caliph can only order jihad.  Mr Hussain said that attack on the worship places of non-Muslims is not according to Shariah (Islamic jurisprudence) and it is illegitimate.  Murder of any human being, whether Muslim or not is a sin.  Almighty Allah is for the entire universe.  Whether one believes in Him or not – He provides subsistence to all and nourishes all.  Islam is a religion of nature, which preaches respect for humanity and not to spread hatred in the name of religion.  This is the true essence of Islam.  Mr Hussain stressed upon the religious scholars of all sects and fiqahs to preach for unity, love, tranquillity and harmony.  Discourage the act of murdering and calling each other infidels.  Preach for respect to each other’s life, property and worship places and to promote love instead of hatred.

Altaf Hussain urges Ulema to spread unity
Founder and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has appealed to the Ulema of all sects to spread unity, as Islam did not permit any individual or a party to declare the people of any other sect infidel (kafir)...Complete Story