ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Allama Syed Zahid Abbas Kazmi, Chairman Wahdat Ulema-e-Pakistan has said that publication of blasphemous caricatures and Samarra tragedy are an open challenge to the honour and dignity of the Islamic World. He stated this while addressing a Press Conference.

Tanzim Shia Aaimma Masajid Chairman Syed Hussain Kazmi, Allama Shaikh Ijaz Hussain Modarris, Allama Guftar Hussain Sadiqi, Ulema-e-Jafariya Pakistan Secretary General Allama Basharat Hussain, Tanzimul Madaris Jafariya Pakistan Central Secretary Information Allama Khurshid Haider Jawwadi, Allama Syed Zainul Abideen Naqvi, Allama Syed Qamar Abbas Kazmi, Allama Sajjad Hussain Gardezi, and Allama Ijlal Haider Al-Haideri were also present on the occasion.

Allama Zahid Kazmi said Islam is the most liked religion before Allah while He sent Paighambar-e-Islam (SAWW) as a blessing for the universe and the reason of creating the universe is the personality of Khatmi Martabat (SAWW) who taught human morality to the human beings hoping in the darkness. He was tortured while doing so and when the Holy Prophet (SAWW) was asked what Ajr-e-Risalat should be given to him in return of these difficulties, he said I do not want any Ajr for Risalat but desire that you love my near ones (Ahle Bait A.S.).

He lamented that today Khanwada-e-Muhammad (SAWW) and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.) is the target of enemies of humanity. On one side some European newspapers have published blasphemous caricatures on which the Islamic World was staging protest. The protest was still going on when another tragedy took place in Iraqi city of Samarra where mausoleums of great personalities of the Khanwada-e-Risalat (A.S.) i.e. Hazrat Imam Ali Naqi Al-Hadi (A.S.) and Hazrat Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) were attacked in bomb blasts.

He said the nation was already mourning the Syed-ush-Shuhada Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his 72 faithful companions, and near and dear ones faced another shock initiating another chain of protests all over the world. He said the satanic forces were utilising all their energy to paint Muslims as violent, extremists and terrorists all over the world, and at the same time they are hatching conspiracy to create rift amongst Muslims, divide and rule and reap the benefit.

The publication of blasphemous caricatures and bomb blasts at the mausoleums of 10th and 11th Imams (A.S.) is a part of that conspiracy. The colonial powers desire to give an impression that Muslim Ummah is confronted with Maslaki and Maktabi conflicts. He, however, said that according to Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi there is no Maktabi or Maslaki conflict in any part of the world and all Makatab are united and keep love and devotion for Khanwada-e-Muhammad (SAWW) and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.). That is why, he said, after the Samarra tragedy Sunni and Shia Makatib staged a joint protest and have resolved to ensure protection and sanctity of holy places thwarting the condemnable propaganda of the satanic forces.

Answering a question, Allama Kazmi said according to latest situation Maraje Uzzam and Mujtahideen in Iraq in consultation with all schools of thought have decided that the responsibility of all holy shrines and holy places would also lay on the tribal elders living there in addition to the government security agencies.

He said after Samarra tragedy, attacks were also carried out at the place of Imam Ali Raza (A.S.) in Kirkuk City, and at the place of Ali Al-Murtaza (A.S.) in Basrah. He said those who had attacked the grave of Hur ibne Riahi were arrested and their nefarious designs were thwarted.

Some Christian leaders have said that the pious personalities and holy places are respectable before all religions and the allied forces were issued instructions that one cannot visit about four thousand holy places including the shrines of holy personalities with shoes on while the allied forces had themselves identified about 10,000 holy places to ensure the sanctity of the same.

He said at a conference held at United Arab Emirates, the United Nations, OIC and Arab League have appealed to Muslims to avoid violence in their demonstrations against blasphemy so as to save the situation from deteriorating further instead of devising any joint strategy about those who published these blasphemous caricatures. In other words, they have also put all blame on Muslims by advising them to avoid violence. He said while some international leaders have condemned Samarra tragedy, the Saudi Foreign Minister and Imam Ka’aba have also condemned this incident terming it a heinous activity.

He said the whole game is being played by agents of the colonial powers under a heinous agenda and the OIC platform would have to be mobilised and activated so as to avoid the same. He lamented that the OIC and Arab League have not yet condemned the Samarra tragedy which indicates that Muslims were still under the influence of Arab and non-Arab although the situation demands to defeat the combined enemies of humanity and mankind with unity.

He said Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam, Sunni and Shia Makatib created it and are also developing it jointly. It has become the target of terrorists for the last two decades. Bomb blasts are the order of the day that has left the motherland wounded and crying with pain. In this situation, he said people had welcomed the decision of President Pervez Musharraf to ban terrorist groups improving the situation to some extent. But, he added, it is tragic that the banned elements are seen at the fora of the government and the opposition.

He said the President takes good decisions but the Prime Minister was thwarting his efforts by meeting terrorists which is tantamount to playing a double game. He said these elements are visible whether it is opposition’s meeting, MQM’s meeting or the ARD meeting violating the law of the land openly by sabotaging the steps taken by President Pervez Musharraf and committing an insult of the Constitution.

He reiterated his resolve to mourn the Samarra tragedy as the great tragedy of the Muslim Ummah till 8th Rabiul Awwal while the universal protest in shape of Azadari would continue till Zahoor-e-Imam Mahdi (A.S.).

After the Press Conference, Wahdat Ulema-e-Pakistan Chairman Allama Zahid Abbas Kazmi performed Zanjeer-Zani along with other ulema in front of the Press Club as a protest against destruction of holy mausoleums in Samarra. A large number of national and international newsmen belonging to electronic and print media were present on the occasion.