Don’t dare touch blasphemy law

Monday, January 31, 2011

Don’t dare touch blasphemy law

Published January 31, 2011

LAHORE — Leaders of religious parties from all schools of thought, joined by the bigwigs of PML-N, PML-Q, PML-Zia and PTI, at a mammoth rally in the provincial metropolis on The Mall on Sunday vowed to render any sacrifice for protecting the blasphemy law, saying that no Muslim would compromise on the honour of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Thousands of people participated in the rally organised by Tuhaffaz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM) from Nasir Bagh to the Faisal Chowk where the top leadership of the mainstream political and religious parties addressed highly-charged participants. The participants were carrying flags of different religious parties, placards and banners inscribed with writings in favour of blasphemy law and against Pope Benedict, the US and European Parliament.

Highly-charged participants continued waving flags inscribed with Kalima Tayyaba throughout the proceedings of the rally. They were also beatings effigies of Pope Benedict, Sherry Rehman, Fauzia Wahab, Shahbaz Bhatti and Aasia Bibi with sticks.

The demonstrators chanted slogans ‘Mumtaz Qadri Ko Raha Karo, Gustakh-e-Rasool Ki Saza Sar Tun Se Judda, Ghulami-e-Rasool Main Maut Be Qabool Hai’.

Law enforcement agencies made unprecedented security arrangements to avoid any untoward happening during the mammoth rally. The Police closed down The Mall, from Nasir Bagh to the Governor’s House, for traffic a couple of hours before the start of the rally. Though it was weekend holiday, massive traffic jams were witnessed on the adjoining arteries due to closure of The Mall. The Police allowed entry to the participants after thorough search and that too only from Masjad-e-Shuhada and Nasir Bagh. Besides policemen in uniform, plain-clothed men were also deputed to keep a close eye on the participants. Trained shooters were also deputed on almost all multi storey buildings on both sides of the Mall, from Nasir Bagh to Faisal Chowk.

Addressing the rally, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged the religious parties to continue maintaining unity in their ranks and make concerted and serious efforts for protecting blasphemy law.

Referring to the ongoing Tuhaffaz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Tehreek, he said the flood of people would not stop before reaching the destination of protecting the blasphemy law. He said the Tehreek would be further strengthened and a big rally would be organised in Peshawar on February 20.

He declared that demonstrations would be held on every Friday till February 20. He said at the moment, the nation only had one-point agenda of protecting Namoos-e-Risalat.

“Unemployment, price hike, loadshedding and lawlessness have made the life of common man miserable. But the people have shown more concerns on Namoos-e-Risalat than all other issues”, the JUI-F Chief said, adding, the people would never allow the rulers to make any amendment in the blasphemy law. He urged the rulers to take a clear stance on blasphemy law instead of misguiding the nation by giving vague clarifications.

Referring to the participation of such a huge number of people in the rally, he said the nation had conveyed a strong message to Pope Benedict, the US and European Parliament. He said the people had made it clear that they would not let the present regime to implement the US agenda in the country.

“They (western countries) made attempts to damage Islamic values and culture, imposed ban on construction of minarets, published blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and subjected Muslims to inhuman treatment,” he regretted.

Referring to the fresh upsurge in Arab countries, Fazl stated that the US would fail to save its puppets and the same would happen in Pakistan. He said the people would have to decide whether they accepted slavery of Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) or that of the US’ like our rulers.

Referring to the incident of killing of three people by US national in Lahore, he warned the rulers against setting culprit Raymond Davis free without judicial trial. He said the people would take the law into their hands if rulers adopted any illegal course to free the US diplomat. He counselled Governor Latif Khosa to visit jail to meet Mumtaz Qadri.

“Salmaan Taseer met Asia Bibi in the jail. Khosa should visit the jail to meet Mumtaz Qadri,” he said, adding, Khosa was in the Governor House only due to Mumtaz Qadri.

Ameer Jama’at-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hasan said the movement for protecting Namoos-e-Risalat and free the country from US slavery would be further reinforced and taken to its logical ending. He said the Muslim World was facing a wave of revolution and the Pakistani rulers could not escape this for a longer period. He said the world had changed after 9/11 and all should realise this reality.

“The US is implementing its agenda in the wake of change after 9/11. She wants to damage Islamic values and culture, change law and revise syllabus in Islamic countries and snub voices from mosques,” he stated, adding that the Muslims should realise and stand to fight the war of civilisations. He said that the US and western countries were hatching conspiracies to take the Muslims away from their religion.

The JI Ameer further said the nation accepted the challenge against the US and her agents.

Warning the present rulers of dire consequences, he said that they (rulers) and the assemblies would cease to exist if attempts were made to amend the blasphemy law.

He said it was only due to the cowardice of the rulers that the Americans were killing innocent Pakistanis on streets. He said there had been terrorist activities in the Punjab capital in the past when vehicles carrying arms were recovered from the Americans but they were later released. It was for the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to explain the whereabouts of those Americans, he added.

Convener TNRM Sahibzada Abual Khair Zubair said the rulers were not fulfilling demands and trying to keep people away from the movement by creating confusions. He urged the political parties having representation in the parliament to take up the issue at the highest platform. He congratulated the participants for fulfilling their commitment to protect Namoos-e-Risalat.

Ameer Jama’at-ud-Dawa Hafiz Muhammad Saeed urged the rulers to work for an international legislation to curb desecration of Prophets all over the world. He said the rulers who had taken oath on the Holy Quran should decide to sever diplomatic relations with the countries where blasphemous caricatures had been published. He said Pope Benedict’s demand for repealing the blasphemy laws was aimed at fanning lawlessness and anarchy in the country.

JUI leader Abdul Ghafoor Haidri said the rulers were paying no heed to the protests by the nation for the last couple of months. He said the TNRM earlier made four demands - dissolution of committee headed by Shahbaz Bhatti, withdrawal of bill submitted by Sherry Rehman, action against Salmaan Taseer for violating his oath and uttering against the law of land and statement of Prime Minister on the floor of the National Assembly that blasphemy law would not be amended. He said delay on the part of the government led to the killing of Salmaan Taseer. He urged the rulers to fulfil demands to avert any future eventuality.

Allama Sajid Naqvi said the government was not taking clear stance on blasphemy law only due to the US pressure. He stressed upon continuing the struggle to protect blasphemy law. He said no one could be allowed to commit blasphemy.

Abdul Qadir Ropri urged the rulers to withdraw the bill presented by Sherry Rehman to stop another Mumtaz Qadri from coming into action. He said efforts would be made for freeing Mumtaz Qadri.

Ashraf Jalali said the nation had decided to punish blasphemers. He said Mumtaz Qadri had fulfilled his commitment for Hurmat-e-Rasool by killing Salmaan Taseer and he should be freed.

Addressing the rally, Senator Sajid Mir said the nation had recorded a strong protest against attacks on blasphemy law. He said the blasphemer deserved only one punishment and that was death. He said people from all schools of thought had consensus on blasphemy law.

Vowing to protect Namoos-e-Risalat, central leader PML-Q Ch Pervaiz Elahi said his party would be the first to quit the assembly if it dared to make any attempt to amend the blasphemy law.

“We have not adopted double standards like the rulers and our children and assets are of no values before Namoos-e-Risalat. Overwhelming participation in today’s rally proves that the nation is united to protect Namoos-e-Risalat. No amendment in blasphemy law is acceptable as Muslims value Namoos-e-Risalat more than their lives, children and assets,” he said, adding that his party would leave no stone unturned to protect the blasphemy law inside and outside the parliament.

Ilyas Ghuman termed Javaid Ghamdi an accursed and outcast but no speaker responded to his remarks.

PML-Zia Chief Ejazul Haq said a long march should be launched after giving a deadline to the government.

PML-N leader Kh Saad Rafiq said the PML-N had clear stance on blasphemy law.

“Blasphemy law should not be amended. Efforts should also be made to stop wrong use of blasphemy law,” he said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice-President Ijaz Chaudhry pledged that his party would not allow any change in the law. He demanded public hanging of Raymond Davis, the US citizen who shot dead three Pakistanis on Thursday.

URL: http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news...dare-touch-blasphemy-law/

Secular politicians jump on blasphemy bandwagon

Pakistan Punjab

Secular politicians jump on blasphemy bandwagon

Rana Tanveer
January 31, 2011

At the Tehrik-i-Namoos Risalat rally held on The Mall yesterday, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi shares a private moment with Maulana Ghafoor Haideri. PHOTO: EXPRESS/WASEEM NIAZ

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam will quit the National Assembly if it amends the blasphemy laws, said party leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at a Tehrik-i-Namoos-i-Risalat rally here on Sunday.

“We curse the assembly that would dare to amend the anti-blasphemy laws,” Elahi said. “Our party would be the first to quit such an assembly.”

The former chief minister added that he and his party colleagues were deeply committed to the cause. “Our children and our worldly belongings are of no consequence in the defence of Namoos-i-Risalat,” he said.

Elahi was one of several political leaders from non-religious parties to attend the Tehrik-i-Namoos-i-Risalat rally. Analysts say that these politicians are trying to gain religious sympathies and to cash in on anti-government feeling following the assassination of Governor Salmaan Taseer.

Apart from pressing their own credentials in protecting the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), the speakers railed against Raymond Davis, the American consulate employee currently in police custody for the killing of two Pakistanis. They told the government that he must be treated “according to the law” and not be handed over to the United States.

“The American gunned down two innocents but the government is trying to exonerate him,” said Maulana Fazlur Rehman, president of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F). “This matter must be left to the courts to decide. If there is an executive intervention to stop the courts from exercising their jurisdiction, no one will respect the courts.”

He said his party would not let “American agents” continue their rule in Pakistan. He said that there would be another rally in Peshawar on the same issue on February 20.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq, who was introduced before his speech as a backer of the Taliban, told the rally that their primary demand of the government should not be that it pledge to leave the blasphemy laws alone, but that it pledge to remove all Americans and their supporters from the country. He urged the protesters to continue their “independence movement”, otherwise the killing of Pakistanis in drone attacks and firing incidents by foreigners would continue.

Syed Munawar Hasan, ameer of Jamaat-i-Islami, said that the law should “take its natural course” and penalise the accused American. He said some Americans had previously been arrested in the city with weapons but were let off.

Ijazul Haq, leader of the PML-Zia, said the blasphemy laws were not made by a dictator, his father Gen Ziaul Haq, but were “the laws of Allah” and as such could not be amended. He said the religious parties should give the government a deadline by which it would pledge not to amend the laws in any way, otherwise they should plan a long march towards Islamabad.

JUI-F leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed referred to Davis as an employee of Blackwater, the American mercenaries. “During interrogation he confessed that he was on a special mission and was operating on instructions. The government should make public his mission and instructions and why he riddled our brothers with bullets.”

He claimed that the US government was offering visas in return for Davis’ release. He said if the government bowed to American demands and let him off, they would besiege the US embassy and the Presidency in Islamabad.

Also invited to the rally were Muhammad Waseem and Imran, brothers of Faheem and Faizan Haider, the two men that Davis killed. Repeated announcements were made from the stage to welcome them and express solidarity with them.

“The blood of the martyrs Faheem and Faizan will not go to waste. We will contest their case before the court. The government must stop its conspiracy to portray this as a case of self-defence, otherwise neither the city government nor the provincial government will be able to continue,” said an organiser in an announcement from the stage.

PML-Nawaz MNA Khawaja Saad Rafiq, representing his party chief, said the PML-N would not accept any foreign pressure for the release of Davis. He said “the American diplomat” had killed two people and one of his colleagues had crushed another under his vehicle, and they would be dealt with according to the law. He said US Ambassador Cameron Munter had telephoned Nawaz Sharif to ask for help to secure Davis’ release, but Sharif had refused. He also led the crowd in shouting the slogan: “Amrika ka jo yaar hay, ghaddar hay ghaddar hay” [Whoever is America’s friend is a traitor].

Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan general secretary Qari Zawar Bahadur said that the government should close the US embassy in Islamabad in protest at the incident. He said all “Blackwater operatives” must be forced out of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/11...blasphemy-bandwagon/

Religious frenzy grips Pakistan

Thursday, January 20, 2010, Safar 14, 1432 

Religious frenzy grips Pakistan

Random Thoughts

Burhanuddin Hasan

There is hardly any doubt that Muslims, can lay down their lives to uphold and protect the honour and dignity of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). His name comes after God in Quran and as Maulana Roomi says “You are ,in short, the most exalted after God.” In Sura Al Ahzab God says “God and His angels shower blessing on the Prophet (PBUH). O believers you too send darood and salam to him (PBUH)”. The Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has the most exalted position among all Prophets sent by God. He (PBUH) was the only one called to the heavens by God on the night of Mairaj to honour him (PBUH) with his nearness. How can any Muslim have the courage to say a single word against his (PBUH) honour? If anybody does, he should be given death sentence with the due process of law. The Blasphemy Law was enacted during General Ziaul Haq’s rule. This was a man-made law and like all man-made laws could be reviewed from time to time if it is being misused by human beings like all laws. It is not a divine law enacted by God in Quran like some other laws. There are 57 Muslim countries in the world which, do not have any such law on their Statute Books.

The Blasphemy Law has been used in some cases in Pakistan and culprits have been punished if their crime was proved in a court of law. The punishment was awarded by a judge like all punishments. Nobody should take this law into his or her hands and execute the culprit without the due process. In the case of a Christian girl Asia; she was booked under the Blasphemy Law and was awarded death penalty by a court of law. She sent a mercy petition to the Governor of Punjab Mr Salman Taseer who met her in good faith and promised to take up her mercy petition with the President for favourable consideration. He had a feeling that the girl might have been framed like many other cases of Blasphemy. Media unduly sensationalized this story as it does in many such cases these days to gain popularity.

The JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who had left the Government on the sacking of one of his ministers in the Federal Cabinet by Prime Minister Gilani, pounced on this issue to take his revenge and gave a call for a nationwide agitation on the issue of Namoos-e-Risaalat, which was totally out of context but could add fuel to the fire of his revenge against the Prime Minister. All religious parties, which keep waiting for such an opportunity to hit the government, joined the agitation taking out big rallies all over the country. It should never be forgotten that these parties; particularly Jamat-e-Islami and the Deobandi group represented by Maulana Fazlur Rehman have always been against the very concept of Pakistan promoted by Iqbal and Jinnah for the Muslims of India as a modern forward looking State as against a theocratic one which was the demand of religious parties..However, when Pakistan came into being they converged on it to change its ideology. They did not succeed but they keep trying. Iqbal who was a great philosopher and scholar of Islam has written a lot about the ignorance of Mullahs.

But it is regrettable that our educational institutions are not teaching these words to our youth who are blindly following the very Mullahs who were against Pakistan. Returning to the tragic murder of Salman Taseer by his misguided security guard who is being idolized by some youth under the influence of the Mullahs is highly regrettable. They should realize that this was not a case of violation of the Holy Prophet’s Namoos (Naoozo Billah). It was a humanitarian effort and his duty as the Governor of Punjab to find out whether a girl belonging to the Christian minority community who claims that she has been falsely framed in a crime she did not commit, is right or wrong? It was his duty to put the girl’s petition to the President. This was by no means a violation of the Namoos-e Risaalat .The security guard who was on duty to protect the life of the Governor, is guilty of murder and will certainly be punished. Those who are idolizing him should also be punished.

It seems the government which is surrounded by all sorts of fears for its survival is hesitating to take bold action against the political parties which have opened the Pandora’s Box over the blasphemy issue at this time when the country is facing economic crises, religious terrorism and corruption. This matter if not tackled with courage and bold action against those elements that unnecessarily launched a mass hysteria on this highly explosive issue, may destabilize the country. One would expect the Supreme Court to take notice of this issue and take action against the criminal elements who are exploiting the name of Islam for an issue which is basically legal.

The media too needs to be directed to use restraint in reporting and commenting on the delicate and sensitive subject of blasphemy. Full marks to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who has raised his voice in defense of minority communities and has denounced the uncalled for religious frenzy, let loose by the Mullahs which may destabilize the country.

© Pakistan Observer 1998-2011, All rights reserved
URL: http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=72090

Defiance of law: Tahaffuz rally speakers threaten courts

PAKISTAN PUNJAB

Defiance of law: Tahaffuz rally speakers threaten courts

Rana Tanveer
January 18, 2010

In yet another rally TNRM leaders said they will respect no law if blasphemy laws are touched. PHOTOS: EXPRESS/ABID NAWAZ

LAHORE: The Mall saw yet another rally on Monday organised by Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM). Several speakers at the rally lauded Mumtaz Qadri, the confessed killer of Governor Salmaan Taseer, and warned the courts of stiff reprimand if any order was passed against him.

Most shops and offices on The Mall were closed during the four hours the rally took to make its way from Data Darbar to the Governor’s House.

TNRM, a coalition of eight Sunni parties, organised the rally to pay tributes to the police guard who shot Taseer dead on January 4.

Speakers said there could be no punishment for Qadri and demanded his early release. TNRM vice president Dr Ashraf Jalali, who led the rally, told the participants that if Qadri was punished they would hold a long march to Islamabad and snatch all those responsible for it out of their offices. Jalali also issued a warning to the media not to extend invitations to those who criticised Qadri or spoke in favour of amending the blasphemy laws. “Mumtaz Hussain Qadri is a hero of the Muslim ummah. Whoever criticises him or Section 295-C will have their tongues pulled out.”

Jalali praised the police deployed in front of the Governor’s House saying that Qadri’s act had lifted the status of the entire police force.

The rally goers and their leaders chanted slogans against Taseer. The participants burnt pictures of President Asif Ali Zardari and other Pakistan Peoples Party leaders.

The 3,000 or so participants brought traffic and businesses on the The Mall to a stop. Roads leading to The Mall were choked with traffic and it seemed as if city life had come to a standstill for the hours the rally was in progress. Shops and offices on The Mall were closed for fear of a flare up but no untoward incident was reported.

Punjab Assembly members got their share of the firebrands’ wrath as they passed the Assembly building. “We curse every member of the Punjab Assembly for carrying a resolution in favour of Salmaan Taseer,” said a rally leader.

Some lawyers were also spotted in the rally. Advocate Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed ‘congratulated’ the participants on Taseer’s death and said if Section 295-C was removed they would obey no laws. But, he also said no law was actually needed to deal with blasphemers as a few “true Muslims” were all it required to deal with them. He said no lawyer would appear before the court to prosecute Taseer’s murder.

Maulana Tasadduq Hussain, a Jaamiat Ulema Pakistan leader, said the media only invited a certain kind of religious scholar to debate blasphemy issues. He said those favouring Taseer or criticising Qadri were enemies of Islam.

TNRM secretary general Muhammad Ali Naqashbandi said the media should invite TNRM scholars for debate on blasphemy issues. He condemned the media for inviting ‘improper’ scholars to their talk shows.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/104903/jamaat-ud...violence/

Jamaat-ud-Dawa rally: Banned outfit incites violence

PAKISTAN

Jamaat-ud-Dawa rally: Banned outfit incites violence

Rana Tanveer
January 17, 2011

Clerics warned the media against criticising religious decrees.

LAHORE: Shockingly, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an organisation proscribed since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, not only managed to organise a sizeable rally, but clerics invited to speak during the demonstration spewed hate speech upon hate speech, targeted minorities, incited people to violence with impunity and roused people to adopt the ‘way of jihad’.

Despite the presence of clear cut laws, speakers “praised” the actions of the self-confessed killer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer and warned media commentators against what they termed being critical of fatwas (religious decrees)” while discussing blasphemy matters.

Head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s political affairs wing Prof Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki said that anyone “supporting a blasphemer is also a blasphemer and both must meet the same fate”.

Hundreds of Jamaat-ud-Dawa activists and their sympathisers initially assembled near Nasir Bagh and started marching towards the Punjab Assembly building on The Mall.

Hafiz Makki said that Taseer had been assassinated because the government had not “educated him” about being careful on sensitive issues before appointing him as the provincial governor.

He said matters concerning blasphemy “are like (a live) high-tension wire with more than 11,000 volts … whoever touches (it) would be reduced to nought”.

Highly charged marchers, carrying placards declaring a ‘holy war against elements conspiring against Islam’, ripped away signboards and streamers in favour of the slain governor and surprisingly also in favour of his successor, Latif Khosa.

Endorsing Mumtaz Hussain Qadri’s actions, Hafiz Makki said the man had played “his due role and police department should be proud of … such a (true) lover of Holy Prophet (Pbuh)”.

Chagrined at Pope Benedict XVI’s statement in which he had urged the Pakistani government to “repeal” blasphemy laws, the speakers went ballistic and warned Christians and Jews “everywhere” that Muslims were “ready to take extreme action”. At one point, Hafiz Makki even urged all Christians to “convert to Islam”.

Warning people who had presented a “gift of tears for Taseer”, Hafiz Makki said that there would be more weeping in the days ahead, adding: “What is the death of one man (Taseer) when so many (people) are (being) killed on the streets daily?”

Earlier, Convener of Tehreek Hurmat-e-Rasool (Pbuh) Maulana Ameer Hamza said that whoever “commits blasphemy revokes his right to life”.

Addressing President Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Hamza said: “You should know that we will not allow you to free Aasia (Bibi),” adding in an offensive manner to take “this opportunity to convey the same message” to President Barack Obama.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/104903/jamaat...violence/

Blasphemy allegations: Another Christian family on the run

Pakistan Punjab

Blasphemy allegations: Another Christian family on the run

Rana TanveerRana Tanveer
June 07, 2010

Supporters of one of several Namoos-i-Risalat groups, Shahab Islami Pakistan chant slogans and wave flags during a rally to support the assassin of Salmaan Taseer in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Two Christian women were beaten and publically humiliated by an angry mob over apparently frivolous blasphemy allegations and they and their family are now in hiding for fear of being killed, The Express Tribune has learnt.

“None of our relatives is ready to let us stay with them. They fear the wrath of the extremists, particularly after the assassination of Salmaan Taseer,” a male member of the family said over the phone from an undisclosed location.

The family and a non-governmental organisation that is helping them asked that their identities not be revealed, lest it put them in further danger. The names mentioned here are fictitious.

According to the family, the allegations stem from a dispute between Amina, a Muslim, and her sister-in-law Zahira, a Christian, in an East Lahore locality. The two got into an argument on Tuesday night and though it appeared to have been settled, on Wednesday morning, after her husband Zahid had gone to work, Amina walked out onto the street and started shouting that Zahira had abused the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

A short while later, a group of men led by Muhammad Sameer, a member of a religious organisation keen on raising its sectarian profile, forced their way into the house and started slapping Zahira, said another of her brothers, Sohail. “Other men and women from the neighbourhood started gathering at the house too and they beat up my sister and mother. They were the only people in the house,” he said.

“We tried our best to get her to confess her crime,” Sameer told The Express Tribune. As a member of the religious organisation, he said he could not tolerate any derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

Sameer added that he was very proud of his wife’s performance during the mob beating. “She beat Zahira more than anyone else. Her hand is so swollen that she hasn’t been able to make rotis since the day of the incident. I’ve been getting my meals from a restaurant,” he said.

Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed assassin of Salmaan Taseer, is a member of the same group as Sameer. The group also runs a twenty-four hour cable TV channel.

Khadim Hazoor, Sameer’s son-in-law and another participant in the beating, said that the women’s faces were blackened and they were made to wear necklaces of shoes and paraded around the locality on donkeys to humiliate them. He said the women denied blaspheming and repeatedly touched their feet seeking mercy.

He said the people of the locality would not allow Zahid or his family to return to their house, which he lives next door to. He claimed that the fight between Zahira and Amina the night before the incident revolved around the upbringing of Zahid and Amina’s 18-month-old daughter. Amina had wanted to raise her daughter as a Muslim, but Zahira wanted her niece to be raised as a Christian, he said.

Hazoor accused Zahid of “cheating Islam” by pretending to convert from Christianity to Islam so he could marry the Muslim girl. “We will not let them live in this house. He has not only cheated Amina but also Islam,” he said.

Zameer Khan, an NGO worker, helped the family flee the locality after they were attacked. “Apparently there was no blasphemy, just an argument between two women,” he said.

He said after hearing of the incident, he had reached the scene to find the women being attacked. He said he had asked the mob if anyone had heard Zahira utter any blasphemous remarks, to which they all replied in the negative. He said he persuaded them to let the women go while he investigated the matter. He then helped relocate the family temporarily. He said he had also convinced the mob not to involve the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/103891/blasphemy...run/

JI asks MQM to clarify stand on blasphemy law

	Friday, January 13, 2011, Safar 08, 1432 A.H.
Karachi
JI asks MQM to clarify stand on blasphemy law

By our correspondent
Karachi

The Jamat-e-Islami has categorically asked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to clear its position regarding Namoos-e-Risalat law instead of asking religious parties to stop protesting against the issue.

The reaction of JI came in the wake of statement of Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain in which he had demanded religious parties to discontinue their campaign against blasphemy law as the government, especially the Prime Minister of Pakistan has clearly said that blasphemy law would not be revoked

The JI asked Altaf Hussain to pressurise the coalition government to announce on the floor of the House that the blasphemy law would not be repealed.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=25303&Cat=4&dt=1/13/2011

Taseer murder: Sunni Ittehad warns against protests

PAKISTAN Punjab

Taseer murder: Sunni Ittehad warns against protests

Rana Tanveer
January 10, 2010

Children protesting in front of Lahore Press Club against any change in blasphemy law. PHOTO: RIAZ AHMAD/ EXPRESS

LAHORE: A Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat conference held in the city on Sunday warned against public rallies and demonstrations praising Governor Salmaan Taseer or protesting his killing. A Mumtaz Qadri, speakers threatened, would be at every corner of the country to stop such displays of solidarity, a reference to the police guard who has confessed to killing the governor.

Maulana Nawaz Kharal, a spokesperson for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), led the chorus while addressing the conference held at Aiwan-i-Iqbal. Kharal also said there should be no protest against Qadri and added, “Don’t associate Mumtaz with any terrorist group. He is a true lover of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).” He said his Sunni followers protect Qadri and his family with their lives.

SIC chairman Fazle Karim too condemned protests in favour of Salmaan Taseer. Karim said the NGOs protesting the governors’ death had never held any protest against the killings at Sunni gatherings after the attacks at Jamia Naeemia, Nishtar Park in Karachi, Data Darbar, shrines of Abdullah Shah Ghazi and Farid Ganj Shakar. He said they had not even raised a voice against the ban on the veil imposed in France. He said his followers would continue “the mission of Ghazi Ilamudin Shaheed.” He said the Sunni Tehrik would provide legal assistance to Qadri.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali, founder of Idara Sirat-i-Mustaqeem Pakistan, announced the Ghazi Ilmudin Award for Qadri. He said that his group would lay a wreath on Ilmudin’s grave on Qadri’s behalf on January 15. He also said that it would hold a rally on January 19 from Lahore to Qadri’s residence in Rawalpindi.

Jalali then demanded that the government release Qadri as soon as possible and exonerate him from the charge of murder. He said the punishment for a blasphemer against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was death. He claimed that the inclusion of Section 295-C in the Pakistan Penal Code had brought good luck for the country. He went on to say that all participants in Taseer’s funeral had jeopardised their Islamic faith. He said their participation in the prayers had put a question mark on their commitment to the community of the faithful.

The participants of the conference included Justice (retd) Nazeer Akhtar, former judge Nazeer Ghazi, Pir Sayed Karamat Ali and Dr Raghib Naeemi. After the conference ended, a group of SIC activists headed to the Governor’s House gate on The Mall on a van and chanted slogans in support of Qadri.Earlier, nearly 300 Sunni Tehrik activists had held a protest rally in front of the Lahore Press Club demanding Qadri’s immediate release. Participants of the rally also chanted slogans against the protestors in favour of Taseer.

In the only civil society rally after Taseer’s assassination on January 4, the participants had condemned the murder which they said was a result of religious extremism.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/101580/taseer...against-protests/

JI wants people to learn a lesson from Taseer’s murder

	Sunday, January 09, 2011, Safar 04, 1432 A.H.
Karachi
JI wants people to learn a lesson from Taseer’s murder

Sunday, January 09, 2011

By our correspondent
Karachi

The General Secretary, Jamat-e-Islami, Liaquat Baloch, while rejecting the proposed changes in the blasphemy law said that the January 9 public meeting would show the extent of love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as people have united on one platform to vent their anger against the proposed changes.

He was addressing a joint press conference at the Idara-e-Noor-e-Haq on Saturday to announce details of the public meeting scheduled for January 9.

He held Governor Taseer responsible for his own murder due to his “negative attitude towards the law” and supporting a Christian woman who was convicted by the court and awarded the death sentence. He further said that people should learn a lesson from the murder of the governor of Punjab.

He said that the final moment had come for the defence of Namoos-e-Risalat and all were ready to sacrifice their lives if any change in the law was made by the government. It is the utmost decision of the Muslims of Pakistan that they would sacrifice their lives to defend the law.

He further said that the protests would continue till such time as the government withdrew the private bill presented by PPP MNA Sherry Rehman, abolished committees to review the law, and called for a clear-cut policy pertaining to the blasphemy law on the floor of the house.

‘Today leaders of Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat are united on the one-point agenda and demand of the government to review its decision and avoid toeing the policies of US.”

Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of the JUI-F said that the governor, Punjab, had taken up the issue as if it only aimed at opposing the minority community and he also consoled Aasia Bibi telling her that the matter would be taken to the president to pardon her punishment, which proved to be his last effort and he was sent to eternal peace.

He said that in a meeting on November 24 it was demanded Aasia Bibi’s issue should be resolved by the judiciary and warned the president of Pakistan not to interfere in it. But unfortunately the government used delaying tactics.

He said that government still had time to rethink the demands of Tehereek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat to dissolve the committee, withdraw the private bill, and announce its clear-cut policy on the law, otherwise leaders of the TNR would announce its future strategy.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24666&Cat=4&dt=1/9/2011

Fazl demands Blasphemy Law bill removal

	Updated at 2355 PST Saturday, January 08, 2011
National
Fazl demands Blasphemy Law bill removal

KARACHI: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Saturday demanded the government to take back a private bill regarding Blasphemy Law presented in National Assembly.

Addressing a press conference at a local hotel here after a conference with heads of religious parties, the action against religious seminaries and madaris is based on government’s dishonesty.

Various leaders including Jamat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawwar Hasan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan’s Sahibzada Abul Khair Zubair and Maulana Hafeez Jalindhary attended the conference.

‘Action against religious forces and their seminaries is being intensified; however, we want to clarify that such stratagems are unbearable,’ Maulana Fazl said adding the recent incidents of Karachi violence are a conspiracy to stop Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat rally and sabotage the conference in this regard.

JUI-F leader demanded the government to take back a private bill tabled in connection with Blasphemy Law and dissolve a committee established by President regarding Blasphemy Law to ascertain the culpability.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=8989

Ulema warn against any change in blasphemy law

	Thursday, January 6, 2011, Safar 01, 1432 A.H.
Karachi
Ulema warn against any change in blasphemy law

Thursday, January 6, 2011

By Shamim Bano
Karachi

Ulema belonging to different sects warned the government on Wednesday that any change in the blasphemy law would be opposed, and demanded immediate release of the assassin of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, Mumtaz Qadri.

Taseer’s murder was a case of divine retribution and the assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, has just demonstrated his steadfast faith, the Ulema said while addressing an All-Parties Conference (APC) organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami at the Idara-i-Noor-i-Haq in connection with Tahfuz-i-Namoos-i-Risalat and responsibilities of the Muslims.

They also asked both the president and the prime minister to dissolve the committee formed to review the blasphemy law, and vowed that the January 9 public meeting would show the strength of the followers of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa(PBUH) and their love for Allah.

Over a dozen Ulema attended the APC held under the chairmanship of Asadullah Bhutto, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh.

Addressing the APC, Bhutto said that Taseer was killed due his statements “against Namoos-i-Risalat”. He added that this was not the first murder in history as John F Kennedy and Indira Ghandhi also met the same fate when they issued controversial statements. In his strongly worded speech, Bhutto said such incidents would happen in future if the blasphemy law was not implemented.

He said the blasphemy law was promulgated with the consent of all the Ulema. This is the law of the holy Quran and Sunnah and Muslims have faith in it and no assembly can change the Islamic edicts, he said.

No injustice t the family members of Mumtaz Qadri would be tolerated, the JI leader said and demanded that all his family members be immediately released.

He also paid tribute to prayer leaders who refused to lead the Namaz-e-Janaza of Salman Taseer, adding that people by distributing sweets had proved that any change in the blasphemy law would not be tolerated.

He also called upon the president and the prime minister to ensure that no amendment was be made to the law and the private bill submitted by PPP MNA Sherry Rehman was withdrawn.

Mir Nawaz Khan said that Taseer had adopted an “anti-Islami stance” for which he was assassinated.

Addressing the APC, Qazi Ahmed Noorani said that the government should have taken notice of the Taseer’s statement about the law.

The Ulema emphatically stated that any amendment to the law would never be tolerated and anyone who dared change it would meet the same fate as Taseer.

Other speakers included Syed Zia Abbas, Siddique Rathore, Khan, Qari Mohammed Usman, Maulana Abdul Rauf, and Maulana Jaffer Ali Subhani.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24078&Cat=4&dt=1/6/2011

Hardline Stance: Religious bloc condones murder

PAKISTAN

Hardline Stance: Religious bloc condones murder

Salman Siddiqui
January 5, 2011

Arrested Qadri sits in a police van at the site of a fatal attack on Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab, by his bodyguard in Islamabad on January 4, 2011. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: More than 500 religious scholars belonging to the Barelvi school of thought paid rich tributes to the assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer on Tuesday and urged ‘Muslims across the country’ to boycott the funeral ceremony.

While the Deoband and Barelvi leaders appear to be on the same page when it comes to condemning the slain Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader for terming the blasphemy law as a black law, the Barelvi scholars, who claim to be the ‘true lovers of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)’, have taken a more hardline stance.

The largest body of the Barelvi group, the Jamaate Ahle Sunnat Pakistan (JASP), whose directions are considered binding on every other organisation that follows the same school of thought, issued a statement saying that “No Muslim should attend the funeral or even try to pray for Salmaan Taseer or even express any kind of regret or sympathy over the incident.”

The statement which has been endorsed by senior Barelvi leaders such as Professor Saeed Shah Kazmi, Allama Syed Riaz Hussain Shah, Syed Shah Turabul Haq Qadri and Hajji Mohammad Tayyab calls the assassin Mumtaz Hussain Qadri ‘Ashiqe Rasool Ghaziye Mulk (Lover of the Prophet, Commander of the Country)’.

“We pay rich tributes and salute the bravery, valour and faith of Mumtaz Qadri,” the statement said, adding that the ministers, politicians, ‘so-called’ intellectuals and anchor persons should learn lessons from the governor’s death. The scholars said that those who insult the Holy Prophet (pbuh), even if they did not intend to, were liable for death.

Hajji Mohammad Tayyab, who is also the secretary general of the Sunni Ittehad Council, told The Express Tribune that scholars had “repeatedly urged the president, prime minister and Governor Taseer himself that if their knowledge about the blasphemy law are limited, they should consult them and avoid debating over the issue as it would inflame the people and then anything could happen.”

Shah Turabul Haq Qadri’s son Siraj, also a senior member of the JASP, endorsed the statement and said it was now binding on every Muslim.

Jamiat Ulemae Pakistan (JUP) central executive committee member Maulana Shabbir went as far as saying that in his opinion Salmaan Taseer was ‘Wajubul Qatil’ (must be killed according to divine law). “He had called the divine law of God, a black law and tried to protect a condemned blasphemer,” he said.

Senior Sunni Tehrik leader Shahid Ghauri said although his party was yet to issue any formal statement about the matter, he would support the call of JASP because the people who gave the edict were his elders.

Senior Jamaate Islami leader Farid Paracha distanced his organisation from the JASP statement, but condemned the governor for calling the blasphemy law, a black law. “I believe that this call for changing the law was being done at the behest of the US and other western powers.”

Senior cleric of the Deoband school of thought and Jamia Binoria chief Mufti Naeem said he could not understand why the slain PPP leader invited trouble for himself, especially given that the blasphemy law was passed in 1985 by the parliament unanimously. “He kept on taking Aasia’s name, but I ask why didn’t he ever make a similar plea for Aafia (Siddiqui).” Naeem said although Islam says that anyone who commits blasphemy is liable to death punishment, what the killer Mumtaz Qadri did was totally wrong as he took the law into his hand.

“The blasphemy law was made exactly to prevent such incidents. Else there will be chaos in the country and everyone would kill everyone,” he said. Maulana Asad Thanvi too supported Naeem’s stance and said although what governor Taseer did was condemnable in the strongest words, he should have been tried in the courts.

Allama Abbas Kumaili of the Shia school of thought said the blasphemy law can be misused and there was no doubt about it. “But the way Salmaan Taseer took up the matter was blunt which inflamed the more emotional and ignorant people of our country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2011

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/99313/hardline-stance-religious-bloc-condones-murder/

Blasphemy laws: Religious right flexes its muscles

Pakistan

Blasphemy laws: Religious right flexes its muscles

January 01, 2011

Activists of Fundemental Rights Commission chant slogans against amendment in blasphemy laws during a protest demonstration at Hyder Chowk in Hyderabad on Friday December 31, 2010. PHOTO: PPI

KARACHI: A crippling strike shut down businesses and schools and derailed transport services across the country on Friday as religious parties offered their stoutest defence yet of the blasphemy laws. Despite the government’s firm assurances that the law would remain unchanged, leaders of the religious parties were determined to show just how much they opposed such a change.

On Thursday, the State Minister for Information Samsam Bokhari ruled out the possibility of any change in the law. “We will start a civil disobedience movement if the government makes any amendment to the law,” said Sunni Ittehad Council chairman Sahibzada Fazal Karim.

Analysts say the strike has more to do with politics than religion. “The government right now is in crisis and these religious parties are pressurising the government by playing with public sentiments,” political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi told Reuters. Critics say the law is used to persecute religious minorities, fan religious extremism and settle personal scores.

In Karachi shopping centres, colleges and universities were closed and examinations scheduled for Friday were postponed.

President of the local transport association in Karachi, Irshad Bokhari, said public transport would remain off the road in response to the strike call. Chairman of Karachi Traders Unity, Atiq Mir said: “All markets and business centres are closed because the protection of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) honour is supreme to us.” A joint press conference was also held by more than 30 religious parties belonging to different sects at Idara-e-Noor-e-Haq here.

Speaking at the occasion, Tahfuz-e Namoos-e-Risalat convenor Abdul Khair Muhammad Zubair said Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam and no one would be allowed to amend the law. Zubair said the government, its ministers and parliamentarians should avoid talking on the issue. He called for hanging those who commit blasphemy and demanded action to be taken against the Punjab governor, who had called the blasphemy law a smear on the constitution.

Zubair said that a phased plan had been devised as part of their struggle. The first phase was launched on December 24. “The second event is the strike, but the third event, which is the most important, will be a large public gathering in Karachi on January 9 at MA Jinnah Road. “Thousands of people will gather to express their love for Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),” he said.

A strike was also observed in other parts of the province including Sukkur, Rohri, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki and Jacobabad among others.

In Islamabad, hundreds of supporters of Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Namoos-i-Risalat (TTNS) rallied amid a complete shutter down in the twin cities to demonstrate their ‘pledge’ against attempts to amend blasphemy laws. Leading a rally held in Rawalpindi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl Maulana Ghafoor Haideri threatened of more protests and even a ‘long march and civil disobedience if the government attempted any amendments in the blasphemy laws’.

Protesters demanded an end to foreign intervention in the country’s internal affairs at rallies in Lahore. Protests were taken out from offices of trade associations after Friday prayers. Two of the major rallies were held at The Mall and Ichhra Chowk on Ferozepur Road. The rally at The Mall totalled close to 500 people, while the one on Ferozepur Road brought out about 200 people.

A complete shutter down was observed in many areas of Balochistan. The Jamiat-Ulema Islam (Ideology) organised a rally and held a demonstration in Mezan Chowk in Quetta, criticising the government’s intention to amend the blasphemy law.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AGENCIES

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2011.

URL: http://tribune.com.pk/story/97652/blasphemy-laws-religious-right-flexes-its-muscles/

Nation protests any change in blasphemy law

	Saturday, January 1, 2011, Muharram 25, 1432 A.H.
Nation protests any change in blasphemy law

Saturday, January 1, 2011

ISLAMABAD: A complete shutter-down strike was observed across the country on Friday as religious parties held rallies and protests against any alleged move by the government to amend the blasphemy law.

All major business centres, markets and bazaars remained closed throughout the day, while there was thin traffic on roads in all the major cities of the country. The Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat gave a strike call on Thursday. It was supported by the traders community and transporters. Strict security measures were adopted in all the major cities to avoid any unpleasant event.

Like other parts of the country, rallies were also held in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A large number of people attended the rallies, holding placards and shouting slogans against Interior Minister Rehman Malik and former information minister Sherry Rehman for allegedly supporting the amendment to the blasphemy law.

Addressing the protest rallies, the speakers said: “We will not tolerate anyone who will make any amendment to the blasphemy law. The only punishment for blasphemy is capital punishment and nobody has the right to amend this law.” Addressing a rally in Islamabad, Shabab-e-Milli Pakistan leader Shahid Gilani said if Aasia Masih, a blasphemy convict, was guilty, she must be punished according to the law.

“The Punjab governor, Sherry Rehman and Rehman Malik should be very careful while giving remarks about the blasphemy law,” another speaker said. Majority of business centres in the twin cities remained closed. Leaders of the business community said protecting the sanctity of Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not the duty of religious parties only, but of all the Muslims belonging to all walks of life.

All major markets and business centres were closed in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, besides other cities. Public transport was not running in Karachi. Violence flared up in the commercial hub of Pakistan as police and protesters clashed during a protest strike.

Police said protesters near the home of President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi pelted stones as they shouted slogans including ‘we we’ll sacrifice our lives — we’ll save the sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH)’. Teargas shells were fired to disperse them.

“We will start a civil disobedience movement if the government makes any amendment to the law,” the chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Sahibzada Fazal Karim, told AFP. Shopping centres, colleges and universities were closed, and examinations scheduled for Friday in Karachi were postponed.

The president of Karachi’s local transport association, Irshad Bokhari, told AFP that public transport remained off the road as part of the strike. Protest rallies were held and a shutter-down strike observed in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Kalat, Dera Murad Jamali, Nushki and Chaghai districts of Balochistan.

Vowing to foil any plan to amend the blasphemy law, thousands of people in Gilgit threatened the government of dire consequences, if the PPP-led government moved to amend the blasphemy law.

“We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sanctity of the last Prophet (PBUH). We will not allow anybody to amend the blasphemy law,” said Maulana Nisar Ahmed, one of the top religious leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan, while addressing a mammoth gathering. Luqman Hakim, the JUI-F chief of Gilgit-Baltistan chapter, Maulana Khalil Qasmi, Khateeb Moti Masjid, and others also spoke on the occasion.

More than 10,000 people turned up in the rally that culminated peacefully after passing a declaration against any alleged move of the government to amend the blasphemy law. The declaration also criticised Rehman Malik and Sherry Rehman. Most of markets in Gilgit remained closed all the day as the Islami Council had also extended its support for the strike.

A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Bahawalpur on the call of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat. Rallies and shutter-down strike was also observed in Ahmadpur East, Hasilpur, Yazman, Smasatta, Bahawalnagar, Chistian, Haroon Abad and Lodhran.

URL: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=3047&Cat=13

City shuts in protest at bid to change blasphemy law

	Saturday, January 1, 2011, Muharram 25, 1432 A.H.
Karachi
City shuts in protest at bid to change blasphemy law

Saturday, January 1, 2011

By Shamim Bano
Karachi

The busy life of the metropolis took a pause on Friday when thousands of supporters and activists of various religious parties and groups marched and shouted a warning to the government – don’t change the blasphemy law or face more protests, including a civil disobedience movement.

The shutter-down strike – the call for which was given by the Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat (TNR) in protest against proposed amendments to the country’s contentious blasphemy law – also seemed a wheel-jam strike as public transport stayed off the road.

All trader organisations backed the strike and kept their businesses shut. All shopping centres of the city also closed. The Sunni Ittehad Council staged a massive rally led by Sahibzada Fazal Karim. The rally started from Shamzai Chowk and ended at the Tibet Centre on MA Jinnah Road amid tight security. Rangers and other law enforcers were deployed on the rooftops of several buildings along the route of the rally as part of the security measures. Roads and lanes leading towards the site of the rally were closed to all vehicular traffic.

The rally adopted several resolutions, one of which demanded of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to give a policy statement in the parliament or address the nation to satisfy the citizens of the country over the issue.

The resolutions demanded removal of Salman Taseer as the governor of Punjab for trying to get the blasphemy law amended. They also demanded that the private bill presented to a committee of the National Assembly by PPP MNA Sherry Rehman should be withdrawn or the parliamentary committee should reject it.

The participants of the rally urged that Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, who is also the head of a committee formed to review the proposed changes in the law, should either voluntarily resign or be replaced.

The rally was attended by Sarwat Ejaz Qadri of the Sunni Tehreek, Haji Hanif Tayyub, Shahid Ghauri and others. Later, the Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat (TNR) threatened a million-man march on Islamabad if the government considered proposed amendments to the blasphemy law.

The TNR also gave the government a nine-day ultimatum to clear its stance, otherwise people would lay a siege to the Parliament House. The ultimatum was given by TNR chief Sahibzada Abul Khair at a joint press conference addressed by about 35 religious and political leaders at the Idara-i-Noor-i-Haq.

The leaders said the strike conveyed a message to the government and the entire western world that any change in the blasphemy law would be resisted and people would take to the streets in protest.

They demanded immediate dissolution of the committee headed by Shahbaz Bhatti . The demand came a day after a federal minister made it clear that the government was not considering changing the law.

The religious and political leaders also called for immediate removal of Sherry Rehman as MNA. They said the government should denounce the bill presented by the MNA. They also demanded immediate sacking of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, and vowed that their struggle would continue till his removal from office.

Shaibzada Zubair said a public meeting was scheduled to be held in the city on January 9 and “we have given nine days to the government to remove all ambiguities in this regard or be ready to face the consequences”.

The chief of Alami Khatam-i-Nabuwat, Maulana Tauseef, said anyone using derogatory remarks against the president of Pakistan is charged with treason under the Constitution, so any person who uses sacrilegious remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should also be punished and given the death sentence under the Islamic law.

Maulana Afzal Sardar of Jamiat-i-Ahle Hadith said that though there were different sects in the country, they were united at one platform on the issue of Namoos-i-Risalat as they had taken oath to safeguard the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Professor Ghafoor Ahmed of the Jamaat-i-Islami said that Muslims could be impractical but would never tolerate any derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) or any change in the blasphemy law.

AFP adds: Violence flared in an area of the city on Friday as police and protesters clashed during a mass protest strike that closed businesses over a bid to change the blasphemy law. Police said protesters near the Bilawal House pelted stones as they shouted slogans, including “we’ll sacrifice our lives — we’ll save the sanctity of the Prophet” (PBUH). Teargas shells were fired to disperse them, AFP reporters said.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=23255&Cat=4

PM given four days to reject moves against blasphemy laws

	Saturday, December 28, 2010, Muharram 21, 1432 A.H.
National
PM given four days to reject moves against blasphemy laws

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

By our correspondent

LAHORE : The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), an alliance of religious parties, has warned the rulers of launching a countrywide anti-government movement, including a siege of parliament and an indefinite sit-in there if the prime minister did not make a clear announcement within four days to reject all the moves and proposals aimed at amending the blasphemy law.

“If the prime minister does not make a clear announcement, shunning the West-sponsored moves to amend the blasphemy law within four days, we will launch 1977-like movement against the PPP government and stage a sit-in outside parliament for an indefinite period,” said SIC Chairman Sahibzada Fazal Karim while chairing an all Pakistan Tahaffuz Namoos Risalat convention at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal here on Monday.

A large number of Ulema, Mashaikh and scholars from all over the country attended the convention of the SIC, a platform of religious parties affiliated with the Barelvi school of thought, asking the government to back out of the West-sponsored conspiracy against the blasphemy law.

Fazal Karim also announced that a Tahaffuz Namoos Risalat rally would be taken out in Karachi on December 31, 2010. He dispelled the criticism of blasphemy law as a legislation directed against minorities.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=22623&Cat=2

Govt warned against amending blasphemy law

	Saturday, December 25, 2010, Muharram 18, 1432 A.H.
Karachi
Govt warned against amending blasphemy law

Saturday, December 25, 2010

By Shamim Bano
Karachi

Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalt in KarachiThousands of supporters of religious groups rallied in Karachi on Friday against the proposed amendments to the blasphemy law, threatening the government with public’s wrath if it moved to amend the law.

The call for the protest was given by the Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalt which was supported by a number of religious groups from different schools of thought. Protesters gathered outside hundreds of mosques in the city to defend the law.

Former information minister Sherry Rehman submitted a draft bill to the National Assembly in November, seeking an end to the death penalty under the existing law after a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, was given the death sentence for blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

At this, religious groups joined hands to defend the law and in a meeting in Lahore on December 16 they announced a multi-phase, countrywide campaign to press the government to refrain from bringing any change in the law.

The protesters — belonging to Brelvi, Deobandi, Shia, Ahle Hadith and other sects — vowed to continue their protests till the government withdrew the bill from the lower house of parliament. They also demanded ouster of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer for lobbying to get a pardon for Asia Bibi from the president of the country.

The rally adopted several resolutions, asking the government to stick to the punishment awarded to Asia Bibi and sack the Punjab governor.

Strict security measures were seen en route of the rally. A massive gridlock was also witnessed on MA Jinnah Road.

The religious groups also announced they would observe a countrywide shutter-down strike on December 31. Besides, a public meeting will be held on January 9.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=22074&Cat=4