ISLAMABAD: A large number of people gathered in front of Lal Masjid on the third consecutive day on Saturday in protest against mosque cleric Molvi Abdul Aziz who refused to condemn the massacre of students at Army Public School in Peshawar.
The protesters also called for replacement of the cleric of Lal Masjid which is a government property. Police has already registered a case against Aziz for allegedly threatening the protesters. They said the leadership of Lal Masjid should clarify if it was with terrorists or with Pakistan.
Aziz meanwhile blamed two persons for whipping up the furore over his remark that the massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar was a reaction to the military operation against militants.
This campaign against me is a conspiracy hatched by Amin Shaheedi and Faisal Raza Abidi, he said adding that I warn that they are testing our patience.
Maulana Amin Shaheedi and Raza Abidi, whom Aziz accused of fanning public sentiments against him, are, respectively, leader of Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM Unity of Muslims Council) and a former PPP senator.
In his Friday sermon, Aziz criticised the members of civil society who protested his views outside the Lal Masjid against him equating the victims of terrorism and those killed for terrorism.
Aziz poured sarcasm on the civil society people demonstrating and lighting candles for the Peshawar dead and said they should also have felt pain for the 86 madressah students killed in Waziristan and other deaths in military operations.
My brother, his family and many people dear to me and a large number of students were killed in army operation here (in Lal Masjid in 2007), but I did not raise such hue and cry, he said.
Aziz suggested to the military and political leadership to negotiate peace with the Taliban, ostensibly for a more worthy cause.
They too are Pakistanis, he said. I suggest that a united force of Pak army and Taliban should be established to fight the infidels.
He said there were no differences between the Taliban of Afghanistan and those in Pakistan. They are like brothers.
After the Friday congregation was over, members of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), the reincarnation of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan group, demonstrated in support for Maulana Abdul Aziz.
Later Hafiz Ehtesham Ahmed, spokesman for Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid, thanked the ASWJ for its support.
Maulana Abdul Aziz is an asset to the whole Islamic world and we will not tolerate any move to harm him, he said in a statement on behalf of the foundation.
A security official, who monitored his Friday sermon inside the mosque, said the maulana hurled direct threats to the administration.
He stated that any attempt to harm him or arrest him would lead to an uncontrollable situation in the country, the official told Dawn.
According to him, the maulana said: If I am arrested the administration will not be able to control the protest rallies all over Pakistan. And if they kill me then there would be so many suicide attacks that would surpass the reaction that followed death of my brother Ghazi Abdur Rashid.
On the other hand MWM leader Amin Shaheedi laughed off the statement given by khateeb of Lal Masjid, and said that he should know what to speak.
His statements have hurt every Pakistani and they are expressing their dislike. What this has to do with me, Amin Shaheedi said.
An infuriated Faisal Raza Abidi said anyone justifying the massacre of schoolchildren should be ashamed of himself.
We are with the army against these terrorists and inhuman elements. I have the feeling that the maulana is preparing to flee in a burka again, he said.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
