Private Shariat Court
By Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
Rawalpindi, Pakistan

The Khatib of Lal Masjid Islamabad has given a month to the government to eradicate all ills from Islamabad or else a Shariat Court under a Council of 10 Muftis shall deal with the violators through the male students of the Masjid-cum-Madrassa and the girl students of adjoining Jamia Hafsa.
They seem to be serious in their public announcements and are reported to be fully armed. They have also threatened the government with Fidai Attacks (probably suicidal attacks) if force is used against them. This is quite alarming to say the least and needs the government’s immediate attention before it flares up into yet another Islam versus Kufr issue by the interested religio-political as well as the opposition parties.
The question is whether the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa action is Islamic or not. There are a few of the Javed Ghamadi like who consider it to be un-Islamic. It would, therefore, be most appropriate for the government to immediately call a convention of the Mushaikh from all schools of thought to decide the issue. If they find it Islamic, then the government should allow the Masjid and the Jamia to do what they want, and if it is declared un-Islamic by the Mushaikh the government should take a stern action to establish Islam and its writ as well in the process. A no nonsense warning and a reasonable time frame be given to the Masjid and the Jamia to stop their such activities, failing which weapons or no weapons, Fidai attacks or no attacks, girl students or no girl students, the Masjid and the Jamia shall be responsible for the consequences. Burying its head under the sand like an ostrich or remaining a silent spectator in the hope that everything will turn out well in the end will be like living in a fool’s paradise. Incidentally, persons more dynamic than Ejaz ul Haq, Dr. Amer Liaqat and Aftab Sherpao might be needed to do the needful.

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Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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