Barelvi Scholars Pay Tribute to Assassin of Salman Taseer

Strategic Insights -

More than 500 religious scholars from the Barelvi school of thought in Pakistan have paid rich tributes to the assassin of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, urging Muslims across the country to boycott the funeral ceremony. The Barelvi scholars have taken a hardline stance against the governor, who was killed for terming the blasphemy law as a black law. The largest Barelvi group, the Jamaat e Ahle Sunnat Pakistan (JASP), has issued a statement calling the assassin, Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, a "Lover of the Prophet, Commander of the Country".

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 500 Barelvi scholars have paid tribute to the assassin, Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, calling him a "Lover of the Prophet, Commander of the Country".
  • The JASP statement, endorsed by senior Barelvi leaders, urges Muslims to boycott the funeral ceremony and not express any regret or sympathy for the incident.
  • The Barelvi scholars believe that those who insult the Holy Prophet (PBUH), even if they did not intend to, are liable for death.
  • Senior Sunni Tehrik leader Shahid Ghauri said he would support the call of JASP, despite not issuing a formal statement.
  • Jamiat Ulema e Pakistan (JUP) central executive committee member Maulana Shabbir called Salman Taseer a "Wajubul Qatil" (must be killed according to divine law).
  • Senior cleric of the Deoband school of thought, Mufti Naeem, distanced himself from the Barelvi scholars' stance, saying that the blasphemy law was passed unanimously by the parliament in 1985.

Statistics:

  • 500: The number of Barelvi scholars who paid tribute to the assassin, Mumtaz Hussain Qadri.
  • 1985: The year in which the blasphemy law was passed unanimously by the Pakistani parliament.
  • 1: The number of times Salman Taseer mentioned Aasia's name in his statements, whereas he did not make a similar plea for Aafia (Siddiqui), according to Mufti Naeem.

Sources:

  • The Express Tribune
  • Jamaat e Ahle Sunnat Pakistan (JASP)
  • Jamiat Ulema e Pakistan (JUP)
  • Sunni Ittehad Council
  • Shia school of thought leader, Allama Abbas Kumaili