Security beefed up in Islamabad as Lal Masjid cleric vows to restart 'Sharia Law' campaign

[Lone Ranger]

A file photo of Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: A heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed in the areas surrounding Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad on Friday following an announcement by cleric Abdul Aziz to restart his ‘Sharia Law’ campaign.

Despite refusal from the district administration and the threat of house arrest, the firebrand Lal Masjid had vowed to give a sermon at the mosque on Friday, and restart his campaign to enforce Sharia Law.

District magistrate’s letter to Maulana Abdul Aziz available with The Express Tribune

In December last year, the Aabpara police registered a case against Aziz for criminal intimidation. Around the same time, the government withdrew the official security he had enjoyed for three years. The interior minister had already told the media that Aziz was not the state-approved prayer leader for the mosque.

A senior administration official, while requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune administration would not allow Aziz to access the mosque, and if he tries, he could be arrested.

The official said Lal Masjid — which is government owned — is not an ordinary mosque. It has a dangerous history, and the administration cannot just allow Aziz to restart his activities, said the official.

He added the administration is bound to ensure the implementation of National Action Plan, the slow pace of which has already been criticised by the military.

“We can’t afford such activities, especially in the capital,” the official said.

On November 8, Aziz told the media he would restart his activities. Since then, the administration has been trying to convince him to amicably drop the plan.

Sources in the administration said Aziz had assured the administration he would not take any unlawful step.

Aziz was not available to speak with The Express Tribune, but his personal secretary Abdul Qadir had said Aziz will give the Friday sermon. Nobody could stop Aziz as “it was his right,” he had said.

He said Aziz will reach the mosque in a congregation along with girls from the Jamia Hafsa girls seminary. When asked that the administration refused to give him permission, he replied there was no need for permission.

He claimed Aziz had been “on leave” but would still give sermons over the phone during the last year.

Security beefed up in Islamabad as Lal Masjid cleric vows to restart 'Sharia Law' campaign - The Express Tribune

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

A file photo of Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: A heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed in the areas surrounding Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad on Friday following an announcement by cleric Abdul Aziz to restart his ‘Sharia Law’ campaign.

Despite refusal from the district administration and the threat of house arrest, the firebrand Lal Masjid had vowed to give a sermon at the mosque on Friday, and restart his campaign to enforce Sharia Law.

District magistrate’s letter to Maulana Abdul Aziz available with The Express Tribune

In December last year, the Aabpara police registered a case against Aziz for criminal intimidation. Around the same time, the government withdrew the official security he had enjoyed for three years. The interior minister had already told the media that Aziz was not the state-approved prayer leader for the mosque.

A senior administration official, while requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune administration would not allow Aziz to access the mosque, and if he tries, he could be arrested.

The official said Lal Masjid — which is government owned — is not an ordinary mosque. It has a dangerous history, and the administration cannot just allow Aziz to restart his activities, said the official.

He added the administration is bound to ensure the implementation of National Action Plan, the slow pace of which has already been criticised by the military.

“We can’t afford such activities, especially in the capital,” the official said.

On November 8, Aziz told the media he would restart his activities. Since then, the administration has been trying to convince him to amicably drop the plan.

Sources in the administration said Aziz had assured the administration he would not take any unlawful step.

Aziz was not available to speak with The Express Tribune, but his personal secretary Abdul Qadir had said Aziz will give the Friday sermon. Nobody could stop Aziz as “it was his right,” he had said.

He said Aziz will reach the mosque in a congregation along with girls from the Jamia Hafsa girls seminary. When asked that the administration refused to give him permission, he replied there was no need for permission.

He claimed Aziz had been “on leave” but would still give sermons over the phone during the last year.

Security beefed up in Islamabad as Lal Masjid cleric vows to restart 'Sharia Law' campaign - The Express Tribune

Why not just accept Shariah law? It'll significantly reduce terrorism, crime, corruption, and thousands of other Problems Pakistan faces.

 

[VCheng]

Why not just accept Shariah law? It'll significantly reduce terrorism, crime, corruption, and thousands of other Problems Pakistan faces.

And it will also create its own set of huge problems too. Sharia law is no panacea.

 

[Zibago]

 

[Kakaspai]

Why not just accept Shariah law? It'll significantly reduce terrorism, crime, corruption, and thousands of other Problems Pakistan faces.

every mullah has his own version of Sharia Law

 

[k_arura]

every mullah has his own version of Sharia Law

But I thought having an Islamic state with Shariah law was always your dream state. So why this back pedaling now? Hamid gul wanted it as well many Pak officers/jawans etc.

 

[rockstar08]

Why not just accept Shariah law? It'll significantly reduce terrorism, crime, corruption, and thousands of other Problems Pakistan faces.

why don't you drink 1 liter of Poison ? or maybe load a shot gun point at your face and shoot it ?
once you do this , and we eat the biryani of your sooyam , we will implement Shariah ...

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

why don't you drink 1 liter of Poison ? or maybe load a shot gun point at your face and shoot it ?
once you do this , and we eat the biryani of your sooyam , we will implement Shariah ...

Why dont you go to Bangladesh?

 

[rockstar08]

Why dont you go to Bangladesh?

because that's not my country ... simple .. you want shairah ? move to Mosul there is a Khalifa there raping young girls .. go and join him

 

[Nefarious]

Problem is, their so called shariah law isn't shariah law.

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

because that's not my country ... simple .. you want shairah ? move to Mosul there is a Khalifa there raping young girls .. go and join him

You have no Idea what Shariah Law is and what a Khalifa is...

every mullah has his own version of Sharia Law

A state shariah law; like Iran will be effective.

And it will also create its own set of huge problems too. Sharia law is no panacea.

It'll create short term problems; but will pay off later on.

 

[VCheng]

It'll creat short term problems; but will pay off later on.

As long as sufficient numbers of citizens survive those initial "problems".

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

As long as sufficient numbers of citizens survive those initial "problems".

That exaggerating it a bit too much; Shariah law is nothing like what the media makes it seem like.

 

[VCheng]

That exaggerating it a bit too much; Shariah law is nothing like what the media makes it seem like.

So a few million dead is okay? How many minorities are at grave risk already?

 

[The Vicious Kind]

I think the noose is slowing tighting on Jamia Hafsa and the lunatic burqa clad molvi abudl aziz. Lal Masjid is the modern day equivalent to Masjid-al-Dirar. It should suffer the same fate.