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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