TNFJ won’t accept change in Aza processions date, time or route

By: Salman Alvi

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi, the Central Spokesman of Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya, Pakistan has said that as per saying of Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, Azadari is our jugular vein on which neither our forefathers bargained nor do we or our coming generations would do that.

In a policy statement issued here on Monday, Zaidi said the statement given by Federal Interior Minister after the Sialkot, Lahore and Multan incidents had created confusion after which taking advantage of the situation some banned organisations created hue and cry that a ban has been put on Azadari. However, Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya sought the attention from bottom to the top offices of the President and the Prime Minister as a result of which the Federal Information Minister put that hue and cry to ashes by giving a statement that the government has only banned gatherings by some outlawed organisations, but, Zaidi lamented, that even then the banned groups remained active and their members kept on joining Iftar parties hosted at government level and some of them even called on the Home Secretaries.

He said the leader of above mentioned banned group is undergoing a murder trial also and was freed under the policy of “give and take” as a result of which he has been spared even from attending the court. Now that leader of the banned organisation, under an organised plan, was using his stooges and getting the duration of Matmi processions reduced and on some places were even entering into agreements for postponing Azadari processions and Majalis. The fresh example of such deal is the procession of Shahadat-e-Hazrat Ali (A.S.) in Multan while some more such bargaining activities would be unveiled to people when the time will come.

The TNFJ Spokesman said that the Federal Interior Minister, replying points of order from some Members of the National Assembly has given clear-cut policy statement that the gatherings of Taravih and Majalis are not prohibited. In the said statement, he had particularly mentioned the 21st Ramazaul Mubarik martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) programmes and after that there should be no more confusion about that.

But, he said, in the belief followed by the banned organisation, Majalis and Azadari processions are not a must, therefore, they are still trying to reap benefits by entering into agreements about Azadari programmes on different places.

The TNFJ Spokesman said, as the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya considers the mission of ‘Wila’ and ‘Aza’ their main objective and as bargaining on Azadari is treachery, therefore, any founders of Majlis, licence holders of Azadari processions, ulema, zakireen who would change the date, time or route or would postpone any Majlis or Matmi procession, the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya strongly condemns them. He called upon the banned elements to keep away from such conspiracies.

The Spokesman warned the followers of Nabi (SAW) and Ali (A.S.) to beware of treacherous elements in the nation and continue the Azadari processions and religious functions including Majalis-e-Aza with courage keeping the memory of Grandfather (SAW) and Grandson (A.S.) intact as it is our constitutional and basic right and we could not allow any power, how big it would be, to encroach upon that right.

He made a fervent appeal to the President and the Prime Minister to take notice of the black sheep within their government who were damaging the government reputation. He said life and death rests with Allah, reducing and increasing the duration of processions makes no difference. We are followers of Maula Ali (A.S.) whose famous saying goes: We love death that much that even a child could not have with mother’s milk. He said death for religion, motherland and belief is Martyrdom.

The Spokesman made it clear that Azadari Majalis and processions are not against any person rather a universal protest against oppression and brutality and this right rests with all nations the world over and could not be snatched from them. He said we are peaceful people, this country was created by ourselves, we are preachers of practical unity and would give priority to the interests of the religion and the motherland in future also as done before.

END