News
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
No Muslim can think of profaning holy Prophet (PBUH): Altaf* MQM chief appeals to religious leaders to stop demonstrating after PM’s assurance that blasphemy law will not be amended
Staff Report
KARACHI: Muttahida Quami Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday said in unequivocal terms that no Muslim could think about profaning the holy Prophet (PBUH), let alone blaspheming.
“Even minorities living in Pakistan cannot blaspheme against the holy Prophet (PBUH), hence I appeal to religious leaders of every shade of religious persuasion to stop their demonstrations after clear assurances from Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that no amendment is being made in the blasphemy law,” Altaf said while talking to an assembly of MQM office-bearers at the Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall.
“The MQM is a political party that believes in religious tolerance and sectarian harmony. There is no place for religious fanatics in its ranks and files. We are not only working for unity among Muslims, but also unity among various faiths as well. We want to promote moderation and establish an environment where people respect religious sentiments of each other.
We should not only revere mosques and imambargahs, but also give protection to churches, temples, gurdwaras and all other places of worship acting on the injunction of ‘to you your religion and to me my religion’,” the MQM chief said, asking his party’s office-bearers to hold meetings in every nook and corner to promote religious tolerance and sectarian harmony.
“Islam is a religion of peace and it gives us a lesson of respecting all other religions besides Islam itself. The holy Quran has clearly said that ‘to you your religion and to me my religion’.
At another place it says ‘there is no compulsion in religion’. God is saying in clear terms that Islam teaches moderation instead of force and extremism. Religious extremism is diametrically opposed to the teachings of Islam. The MQM respects all religious sects and schools of thought and it has been working for sectarian harmony for the past 32 years. We feel that just as blaspheming against the holy Prophet (PBUH) is a sin and injustice and punishable, the calumny against anyone that he has blasphemed against the holy Prophet (PBUH) is equally reprehensible, a crime not worthy of clemency for Islam does not tolerate false accusations and slander.
For the past many days, demonstrations have been staged against changes in the blasphemy law, but the PM has categorically stated in a press conference that the government is not bringing changes in the law. I appeal to religious leaders of every shade of religious persuasion to stop their demonstrations. Whoever thinks that I am wrong should leave me now, but I will not swerve from my path,” he said.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk