EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM IN THE NAME OF RELIGION IS A CHALLENGE AND DAMAGING FOR THE FUTURE OF PAKISTAN AND ITS NATION - ALTAF HUSSAIN
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Posted on: 3/9/2014 1
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THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO TAKE DECISIONS IN THE LARGER INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY
IF TODAY WE DO NOT ADOPT THE RIGHT PATH AND CHANGE OUR COURSE THEN GOD FORBID WE WILL BEAR MORE LOSS
Lahore - 9th March 2014
Terrorism and compulsion is opposite to deen (religion) and Allah Almighty declares that killing an innocent person unjustly is like killing all of mankind. Extremism and terrorism in the name of religion is a challenge and damaging for the future of Pakistan and its nation. If we do not adopt the righteous path, take right decisions and change our course then we will continue to receive more damage. I do not wish to become the President or Prime Minister of Pakistan nor has any of my relative contested elections. I do not want anything for myself or my family. I only want to see Pakistan flourishing and progressing. This was stated by MQM Founder Leader Mr Altaf Hussain while addressing the "Sufia-e-Karaam Conference" organised at the Dongi Ground in Lahore today. The Conference was attended by religious scholars representing all sects, Sajjada Nasheen and Gaddi Nasheen Sufi Saints Mazaars, political and religious leaders, intellectuals, columnists, journalists and large number of students including people from all walks of life.
Mr Hussain said that extremism and terrorism in the name of religion is a critical challenge for the safety for up coming generations of Pakistan. If today we do not adopt the right path and change our course then God forbid we will bear more loss. We have to change ourselves first and then wish for the society to change. He said that it has been repeatedly said that Pakistan is passing through a critical phase and now majority of Pakistani nation is also of the same opinion, therefore, this majority voice must be taken as warning from God. Unfortunately, in the past we have not paid attention to the voice of masses resulting in the dismemberment of Pakistan. Today, sitting thousands of miles away I am worried and sad on the current state of affairs, he said. My heart bleeds and living in exile I worry about Pakistan. I do not want to become the President or Prime Minister of the country nor any of my relative have ever contested elections. I do not want anything for my family. I only want to see Pakistan flourish, develop and progress and justice. I pray to Almighty Allah to create such a situation that I can return to Pakistan and serve the nation living amongst them.
Mr Hussain said that it is sad that tombs of sufis and saints are being target of terrorism, whereas, according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) it is forbidden to harm the worship places even of non-Muslims and the same has been declared in the Holy Quran Surat Al-Kafiroun Verse 109:6 Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. Pakistan is a nation of all religions, sects an faiths and no Muslim Pakistani will ever want any Article of the Constitution to be in contradiction to the Islamic jurisprudence (Shariat). The elements responsible for harming the tombs of sufis and saints, mosques, imam bargahs and worship places of non Muslims are negating the teachings of Islam. Islam is the religion peace and safety, therefore, whosoever is using the name of Islam to severe the heads of army men and other law enforcers and disrespecting their corpses, exhuming the corpses of sufis and saints from their graves and hanging them on public places, involved in suicide attacks on mosques and imam bargahs, and carrying out bomb blasts are committing un-Islamic and inhuman acts.
Narrating the recent Islamabad terrorist attack Mr Hussain said that terrorists opened fire on a 23-years old young lady lawyer in F-8 Area of Islamabad murdering her. She has recently acquired her law degree from United Kingdom and was the only daughter of her parents. The brutal terrorists fired bullets on Malala Yousufzai and beat young innocent girls with lashes in Swat on false accusations. At this moment he appealed to all the participants to close their eyes and imaging if such brutal acts and torture was being unleashed upon their son or daughter. What will they feel? The participants responded that even the thought is terrifying and we are crying here. He said that 1400 years ago the Yazidis slapped Bibi SakeenaRH and barbarically targeted innocent Ali AsgharRH -- and to this day we mourn for them. Today in this day and age innocent children are being tortured and oppressed in the name of religion. Torture and compulsion is opposite to Islam and Allah Almighty declares that killing an innocent person unjustly is like killing all of mankind. It is unfortunate and surprising that rulers and politicians are silent on terrorism and killings in Pakistan and it is only Altaf Hussain who faces false allegations but continues to struggle for the better future of Pakistan and Pakistani nation.
Commenting on the ongoing dialogue between Government and Taliban Mr Hussain prayed Almighty Allah to guide them so they can take right decision in the larger interest of the country. He quoted several verses from the Holy Quran with translation. On settlement between two factions Mr Hussain quoted the Holy Quran Surat Al-Hujraat 49:9, " And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." In the light of this verse the Government must decide what to do! The duty of the Government is to take decisions in the larger interest of the country and at the time of decision making take every stakeholder into confidence. He prayed to Almighty Allah for the elimination of terrorism from the country and the return of peace and love for the people of Pakistan.
Mr Hussain said that the "Sufia e Karaam Conference" has not been organised for political gains but it is to seek Almighty Allah's forgiveness and blessings. Today's gathering is for peace, safety and love. It is to respect each other and not to hate but only to talk of love. Islam was not spread with the sword but with the character of sufis and saints. Speaking on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) he said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) treated everyone with humility and respect and never wished ill for anyone. The infidels (kuffaars) used to throw stones at Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and passed abusive remarks at him but he never hated anyone. Once in Taif the children of infidels threw so many stones at Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) resulting in bleeding. Angel Gabriel came and asked Prophet to order so that we can join the mountains in such a way that these people will vanish. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not talk of revenge but replied, "No, these are ignorant people". Mr Hussain said that we should be ashamed that we take the name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but act like Shaitan. As a result of terrorism, thousands of army men, frontier constabulary, rangers and police officials and personnel including innocent civilians have been martyred. He paid tributes to all martyrs and prayed for them. He prayed to Almighty Allah to make the Pakistan Armed Forces and nation as one so that in crisis time the people of Pakistan will work hand in hand with the Pakistan Armed Forces. He also prayed to Almighty Allah to give guidance to the Taliban or give so much courage that they can side with the Pakistan Armed Forces to deal with this menace. On this occasion he recited famous couplets of sufi poets Hazrat Sultan BahuRH and Hazrat Bulleh ShahRH.
During his address Mr Hussain specially addressed the youth and said that they do not worship Allah Almighty for any greed but only for the eternal love to Almighty Allah. It is the Sufi saints that two and a half qalandars have passed one Hazrat Lal Shahbaz QalandarRH, one BuAli Shah QalandarRH whereas half Qalandar is known as Hazrat Rabia BasriRH. One day she was seen running through the streets of Basra carrying a torch in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. When asked what she was doing, she said, "I want to put out the fires of Hell, and burn down the rewards of Paradise. They block the way to God. I do not want to worship from fear or punishment or for the promise of reward, but simply for the love of God." Mr Hussain requested that the youth should also perform their worship with dedication and selflessness.
Mr Hussain appealed to the people to visit tombs of sufis and saints and lay down chadar in respect on his behalf and also pray for him. I am a very weak and sinful human being and need the blessings of Allah Almighty and your prayers, he humbly appealed. He appealed to the Government and people to respect the tombs and restore their sanctity. He also appealed to the Government to provide them with security and protection. He thanked all the participants including religious scholars, intellectuals, representatives of various sufis mazaars, naat khwans, qawwals, artists, political and religious leaders, media persons, writers, columnists, and each and every person for their participation and making the "Sufia e Karaam Conference" a success. He also praised the untiring efforts of all MQM leaders, workers, specially of Punjab and Sindh and the Members of MQM Coordination Committee for the beautiful organisation of the Conference. He reminded all that today he had only talked about love and peace and not against anyone. I wish that love and peace to spread everywhere and Pakistan becomes a society where justice is the system and everyone gets their due rights. In the end he chanted the slogans, "Islam Paindabad (long live), Sufism Zindabad and Pakistan Zindabad.
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12/21/2024 8:04:05 PM
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