Armed struggle for Shariah enforcement un-Islamic: Fazl

Says JUI-F gathering in Azakhel to send positive image of Islam

NOWSHERA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Saturday that his party considered armed struggle for the enforcement of Shariah against the teachings of Islam.

Talking to senior journalists about the JUI-F’s upcoming international centenary conference at Azakhel in Nowshera district, he said his party believed in peaceful struggle for the implementation of Shariah and spreading the message of Islam among the people.

JUI-F leader and Deputy Chairman Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, the party’s provincial head Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, former provincial minister Asif Iqbal Daudzai, former MNA Maulana Shujaul Mulk, Wifaqul Madaris head Maulana Hanif Jullundhuri and other party leaders were also present on the occasion.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said his party was striving to forge unity among the Muslims all over the world. He said the people of Pakistan always rendered sacrifices for the glory of Islam.

China was a time-tested friend of Pakistan, he said, adding, Islamabad and Beijing had friendly times since the creation of Pakistan. “This friendship has now been converted into economic friendship due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he remarked.

The CPEC would usher in a new era of development in the region, he maintained.

He said the Chinese leadership and the Communist Party of China also acknowledged the role of JUI-F in cementing ties between Islamabad and Beijing. “We raised voice and offered support whenever Chinese nationals working on projects were attacked and harmed, whether it was at the Gomal Zam Dam, Swat, Dir and Malakand or at Gwadar,” he pointed out.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned the car bombing in Parachinar and said that nobody would be allowed to spill the blood of innocent people.

“Islam advocates peace and abhors violence. It is the handiwork of anti-Islam people,” the JUI-F chief added. He said the Ulema had provided counter-narrative by condemning the use of force to enforce Shariah and suicide bombings and reiterating their resolve to follow peaceful, legal, democratic and constitutional means while practicing politics.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said renowned religious scholars from across the world include the Imam-i-Ka’aba Abdur Rahman Sudais would attend the JUI-F gathering at Azakhel.

“We have also extended invitation to all Pakistani leaders including the President and Prime Minister and heads of the political and religious parties,” he added.