addresses a rally in Peshawar, the hardline, pro-Taliban cleric offered a reward for anyone who kills Aasia Bibi
PESHAWAR: Here is a most illegal, most violent and most un-Islamic statement by an extremist Deobandi mullah (‘Maulana’ Yousuf Qureshi) of a major mosque in Peshawar. This mullah is notorious for his pro-Taliban and pro-Imran Khan views, is a senior member of the Jamaat-e-(Ghair)Islami, and is also known to have direct links with a local commander of Pakistan Army. This hateful creature is one of the most ‘learned’ students of Mufti Taqi Usmani of Karachi, the spiritual leader of Afghani and Pakistani Taliban.
According to Surah Al-Maidah, this man is inciting to violence and spreading mischief in the land (fasaad fil arz), hence according to Islamic sharia, he deserves the harshest punishment.
In Surah Al-Maidah, Allah says:
32. Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allâh by committing the major sins) in the land!.
33. The recompense of those who wage war against Allâh and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter.
We support an ET reader’s offer who announced to place a reward of equal amount for any pakistan police officer, lawyers or judge who could put this terrorist mullah Yousuf Qureshi in Jail till Aisa bibi is released.
We demand that Chief Justice of Pakistan (who is notorious for his penchant for suo moto actions on every issue on this planet) must pay some attention to this matter too.
We also demand that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must order immediate arrest of this violent mullah (of course after seeking due permission from his masters in GHQ).
This fanatic cleric must be put in jail indefinitely for inciting to violence and creating harassment for religious minorities in Pakistan. Blasphemy case: Masjid imam offers reward to kill Aasia
Source: Express Tribune
PESHAWAR: Maulana Yousuf Qureshi, an imam of a major mosque in Peshawar on Friday offered a reward for anyone who kills Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death by a court on charges of blasphemy.
Qureshi offered a Rs500,000 reward and warned the government against any move to abolish or change the blasphemy law.
The sentence against Asia Bibi has renewed debate about the law which critics say is used to persecute religious minorities, fan religious extremism and settle personal scores.
“We will strongly resist any attempt to repeal laws which provide protection to the sanctity of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” Qureshi told a rally.
“Anyone who kills Aasia will be given Rs500,000 in reward from Masjid Mohabat Khan,” he said referring to his mosque.
While Qureshi is not believed to have a wide following, comments by clerics can provoke a violent response and complicate government efforts to combat religious extremism and militancy.
Qureshi, cleric who has been leading congregation at the 17th century Mohabat Khan mosque for decades, later told Reuters he was determined to see her killed.
“We expect her to be hanged and if she is not hanged then we will ask mujahideen and Taliban to kill her.”
In 2006, Qureshi and his followers announced rewards amounting to over $1 million for anyone who killed Danish cartoonists who drew caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that had enraged Muslims worldwide. After her conviction, Aasia appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari to pardon her, saying she had been wrongly accused by neighbours due to a personal dispute.
Last week, a minister said an initial inquiry into the case showed she had not committed blasphemy. The Lahore High Court last month prevented Zardari from granting a pardon and ruled that the High Court should be allowed to decide her appeal.
“No president, no parliament and no government has any right to interfere in the commandants of Islam. Islamic punishment will be implemented at all costs,” said Qureshi.