John R. Houk
© October 5, 2013
Shamim Masih is my on sight journalist that has been keeping me up to date about Pakistan’s persecution of Christians. It is through Shamim that I first heard of two Taliban homicidal-suicide bombers blowing themselves up at a very old Church – All Saints Church in Peshawar Pakistan. And it was through Shamim that a glimmer of hope for Pakistani-Christians was reported as the mood of many Muslims in Pakistan seemed to have made a journey for the acceptance of minorities that we either non-Muslim or non-Sunni.
Shamim has sent another news story publishing Muslim organizations that have come out in support of the Christian minority with many crying for the abolishment of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws which have been the principle tool to legally persecute Christians. Before I post Shamim’s news story I want to examine some of the Muslim organizations Shamim has listed.
Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM)
MWM is a Shia Muslim religio-political party in Pakistan. The party is an anti-terrorism Shia Muslim representative organization advocating for an egalitarian and modern model of Islamic democratic welfare state and demanding equal rights for all the minorities in the country. It is one of the leading religious organizations in Pakistan.
History
The MWM was founded by Muhammad Amin Shaheedi and a group of Shiite Muslim clergy on August 2, 2009 in Islamabad, Pakistan. It has a prominent presence in the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and in Azad Kashmir.
Ideology
MWM's agenda articulates and spells out the vision of a modern Islamic Republic that advocates individual's welfare through community's cooperation. It wants to set Pakistan on a course to political stability, social harmony, and economic prosperity for all religious, ethnic and racial communities.
Manifesto
o The National Plan: The MWM shall give the national plan for fifty years as a result of which Pakistan will become self-sufficient in mineral resources, economics and agriculture and by which the important projects of pipelines, Thar coalfield and Gwadar port will go to completion.
o National Defense and Integrity: The MWM would let no harm on the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan at any cost. According to the global and regional requirements, the vocational abilities of the army will be enhanced and the soldiers of the Pakistan Army will be kept away from the foreign conflicts. Atomic assets of Pakistan are the defensive deterrents for the protection and evolution of which, every possible steps will be taken. The MWM will combat the terrorism by depriving away the terrorists from political, social and economical support and by bringing the terrorists to the statutory clutches.
o Administrative Structure: The MWM will provide Gilgit-Baltistan the constitutional rights and an absolute provincial status. The MWM will ensure the representation of Gilgit-Baltistan in the senate. The MWM will form the new provinces in Pakistan on the management basis instead of ethnic basis. The MWM will provide the tribal areas a provincial status and fundamental rights and will bring an end to the tribal system in the light of their traditions and regulations. The MWM will make Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat Valley and Naran, Kaghan Valley the international center for tourism and minerals.
o Judiciary: The MWM will rebuild the entire judicial system and base the judicial system on the Islamic laws as prescribed by the Holy Quran. According to the new legislation, the constitutional documents will be again prepared. As well as those Islamic states that have good experience in this regard, their experience will be also utilized. The MWM will also ensure the protection, honor and autonomy of the judiciary. Quick, easy and free access to the justice will be made possible for the public. The judiciary will be independent in finance and management. The rich, the poor, the citizen, the villager, the one who is aware of the judicial matters, the one who is unaware or uneducated will be equal in the eyes of the constitution and no individual shall be granted legal immunity. The MWM will set an institution within the judiciary that will investigate the causes and factors of the crimes and the offenses from a closer look. (Wikipedia Excerpts)
Jammat-e-Islami (JI)
Jamaat-e-Islami (also written Jamaat-i-Islami or abbreviated JI) is Pakistan's oldest religious party. The JI ranks among the leading and most influential Islamic revivalist movements and the first of its kind to develop an ideology based on the modern revolutionary conception of Islam in the contemporary world.
JI's intellectual inspiration primarily came from thoughts of Maulana Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi, who along with the great thinker poet Dr. Mohammed Iqbal, set the pace for contemporary Muslim thinking in the South Asian sub-continent. JI was established in Lahore on August 26, 1941 (in the Islamic calendar (sic) that date was 2 Sha'ban, 1360 AH).
The Jamaat established close relations with conservative Muslim governments and organizations in the Middle East, particularly with Saudi Arabia. Close relations between the Jamaat and the Saudi monarchy were instrumental in arranging Saudi aid for Pakistan's purchase of F-16s. And Saudi subsidies to the Afghan Mujahideen were channeled through the Jamaat‘a relief program. The Jamaat alone among Pakistan‘s political and religious groups was given considerable scope for operation among the Afghans. Throughout its history, the Jamaat maintained its connections with the Muslim Brotherhood and other conservative Islamic organizations in other countries.
…
Jamaat leaders wanted to see society based on lslamie (sic) ideals more compatible with their own strict interpretation in order that their party can survive beyond Zia's tenure. The Zia regime must strike a balance between exploiting Jamaat assistance and maintaining its distance from the Jamaat lest it share in the dislike that much of the Pakistani public feels toward the Jamaat.
…
In its endeavours to propagate Islamic thought and to work for the cause of the Muslims around the world, JI developed and maintained close brotherly relations with the Islamic movements and missions working in different continents and countries. …
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The three main goals outlined in the party's manifesto are:
o To be obedient to Allah
o To free people from lives of hypocrisy, contradiction, and the dichotomy of word and action; one should be true to ones claim and thus live like a true Muslim
o To end the influence of the proponents of falsehood, the sinful, and non-practicing Muslims, from prevalent system of life, and in place, transfer the leadership from both theoretical and practical point of views, to those who are true believers and pious ones (GlobalSecurity.org Excerpts)
Pakistan Sunni Tehreek
Sunni Tehreek is a Muslim political organization described by Western institutions as representing ultraradical and anti-Christian, anti-Shi'ite beliefs.[1] The organization was founded in Pakistan in 1990 to promote the interests of the Barelvi movement in conflicts against the competing Deobandi and Ahl al-Hadith movements.[2][3] (Wikipedia – READ THE REST)
The Sunni Tehreek is now a political party and is set to commence its politicial (sic) activities as the “Pakistan Sunni Tehreek” at its public rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on March 23 (Pakistan Day), the religious group’s chief Sarwat Ejaz Qadri said on Sunday. Addressing the ‘Pakistan Bachao Jaan Nisaran-e-Mustafa Conference’ at Nishtar Park, Qadri said his new political party would contest the next general elections. He said people talked about a “tsunami of music” and “tsunami of false beliefs”, but the Sunni Tehreek had brought the “tsunami of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s lovers”. Regarding his party’s manifesto, he said if the Sunni Tehreek came into power, it would work for the poor people’s welfare and for ridding Pakistan of extremism. “We have no foreign accounts, and the Prophet (PBUH)’s lovers are our greatest assets,” the party chief added. … (See more at: Sunni Tehreek is now a political party; 1/30/12 7:50 am)
Jamait-e-Ulema Islam (F)
ISLAMABAD:
While the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) wants to transform Pakistan into an Islamic welfare state, analysts raised concerns over mentions of Jihad in its manifesto and differences between the document’s Urdu and English versions.
In the sixth seminar of its series, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) hosted a discussion on the JUI-F manifesto in Islamabad on Thursday.
Political analyst Hassan Khan pointed out a stark contrast in the contents of JUI-F’s Urdu and English manifestos.
“The English version is more enlightened and inclusive, while the Urdu version has conventional religious undertones,” Khan said.
He noted that the chapter on Sharia was missing in the English version while a chapter on women rights was missing in the Urdu version.
JUI-F Deputy Secretary-General Malik Sikandar Khan said the party had pledged to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state.
He said JUI-F would transform the current system by making changes in accordance with Islamic laws.
Khan referred to the welfare state model under Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and during Hazrat Umer’s rule and added that society made socio-economic and cultural progress when Islamic laws were implemented in true spirit. “The state will ensure the provision of every citizen’s basic needs and ensure that their safety is ensure,” Khan said. Analyst and TV anchor Saleem Safi appreciated JUI-F’s willingness to work with liberal and progressive political parties, but advised the party to focus its energy on implementing its own manifesto’s points.
Safi raised questions as to how the JUI-F would abolish interest-based banking; questions which went largely unanswered.
He also criticised the mention of compulsory Jihadi training in the manifesto, arguing that such actions would only create more chaos in society. (JUI-F’s election plan: English, Urdu versions of manifesto termed incongruent; By Our Correspondent; The Express Tribune; 4/19/13)
Ahle-Sunnat Wal Jamaat
JHANG — The hard-line Sunni Muslim cleric may have been defeated at polls five years ago, but he’s confident of winning a seat in Pakistan’s election Saturday.
A terrorist to his enemies, a man of peace to his supporters, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi heads the country’s largest anti-Shiite group, which has been described as the political wing of terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
He is part of a coalition led by cleric Sami-ul-Haq, nicknamed Father of the Taliban, having been dumped by the election frontrunners Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in favor of his arch rivals, the local feudal Akram family.
A terrorist to his enemies, a man of peace to his supporters, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi heads the country’s largest anti-Shiite group, which has been described as the political wing of terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
He is part of a coalition led by cleric Sami-ul-Haq, nicknamed Father of the Taliban, having been dumped by the election frontrunners Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in favor of his arch rivals, the local feudal Akram family.
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His Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) movement denies any link to violence, despite being known as the political arm of LeJ, one of the most active terror groups in Pakistan, bent on exterminating its 20 percent Shiite minority.
LeJ claimed responsibility for the two worst bomb attacks so far this year, killing 182 in Shiite areas of southwestern city Quetta. It is also linked to Al-Qaeda. Rights groups say attacks on Shiites hit a record high in 2012.
LeJ claimed responsibility for the two worst bomb attacks so far this year, killing 182 in Shiite areas of southwestern city Quetta. It is also linked to Al-Qaeda. Rights groups say attacks on Shiites hit a record high in 2012.
… (A terrorist or a man of peace? Saudi Gazette; Last updated 5/6/13 10:38 AM)
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) currently operating with new name of Ahlesunnat wal Jamaat is a Deobandi Pakistani organization, and a formerly registered Pakistani political party. Established in the early 1980s in Jhang by Maulana Haq Nawaz Jhangvi, its stated goal is to primarily to deter major Shiite influence in Pakistan in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.[1][2] The organization was banned by President Pervez Musharraf in 2002 as a terrorist organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.[1][2] Currently the organization's official name is Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, but it is still widely referred to as Sipah-e-Sahaba by its own members.[3] In March 2012 the government of Pakistan banned Sipah-e-Sahaba.[4]
Ideology
The SSP follows the Deobandi. It wishes for Pakistan to be a Deobandi state and has declared Shiites non-Muslims.[5] The organization also calls for a restoration of the Khilafat.[2]
… (Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan; DigPlanet; Originally Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipah-e-Sahaba_Pakistan)
These organizations that Shamim writes about as showing solidarity with Pakistan’s Christian minority. Frankly the history of these organizations is a demonstration of Islamic Radicalism. I prayerfully join Shamim that Pakistan’s Islamic Supremacist hatred of non-Muslims has begun to transform for the better. And in Shamim’s case the Sunni hatred toward Christians. Living in America the cry for justice for the Christians killed in Peshawar may be a bit ephemeral.
JRH 10/5/13
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Christian Welcomes Religious Parties’ Condemnation
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 10/1/2013 2:52 PM
ISLAMABAD: The religious parties across the country condemn the twin suicide bombings at a church in Peshawar which left at least 100 people dead on Sunday. Condemning the attack on the Christian community during a Mass, the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), the Jammat-e-Islami (JI), the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, the Jamait-e-Ulema Islam- (F) and the Ahle-Sunnat Wal Jamaat condemned the deadly attack. They demanded that the government should provide full protection to the minorities which is their constitutional right. These parties demanded that compensation should be paid immediately to the families of those who had lost their loved ones.
They said the government should also bear all the costs of treatment given to the people injured free of charge.
Human Rights Activists and Christian politicians across the country welcomed the positive change in religious parties. Safdar Chaudhry Secretary General, Rah-e-Nijat Ministry said in his statement that it is good that religious parties have extended hands towards Christians. He said he warmly welcomes these statements by religious leadership against terrorist attack on Christians.
Basharat Khokher, human rights activist said that with the help of the local administration, we have been able to control the situation created by some fanatic in Iqbal Town, Islamabad. He said that it is encouraging that Islamabad police and local administration is keen to take care of the Christians living in slum areas while registration process of these areas. He said that it is good sign that Shia people have announced three day mourning across the country.
Earlier, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry appreciates the arrest of killers of Shahbaz Bhatti. He said the government should take solid steps in protecting Christians across the country.
Christian leaders across the country welcome the statements from the people of different thoughts but with the same massage. Already, President of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf, Javed Hashmi has spoken logically and emphatically against the blasphemy law in the National Assembly. Simultaneously, the government will have to take concrete measures to empower non-Muslims through application of Article 226 of the constitution, and amendments in the blasphemy law.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
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Do We Dare Believe Sunni Muslims Want Justice for Murdered Christians?
John R. Houk
© October 5, 2013
____________________
Christian Welcomes Religious Parties’ Condemnation
© Shamim Masih
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