RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Ala Haider, Secretary of Markazi Muharram Committee of the Tehreek Nafaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya Pakistan has lauded and welcomed the decision of the Christian community for giving up musical programmes on the occasion of Christmas in respect of Muharramul Haram.

This was stated by him while talking to the delegates from different districts who called on him at the Control Room of the Markazi Muharram Committee of the TNFJ.

He said along with Christian community of Pakistan, followers of Christianity in other countries have also expressed similar views that are valuable and laudable. He said this situation is a source of lesson for Muslims as most of the channels were still presenting comedy, dancing programmes and dramas, that are contrary to the spirit of the holy month of Muharram, in the garb of freedom to the media .

Ala Haider said our rulers and politicians were spending their time in nefarious activities which always become the source of destruction for the nations. Strongly condemning those who are taking out rallies in Ashra-e-Muharram he declared is contrary to the philosophy of Hussainiyyat because all these activities are actually aimed at sabotaging the Azadari programmes. He advised all such politicians to come on Farsh-e-Aza because Azadari of Imam Hussain (A.S.) has taught the method of protest to the oppressed the world over.

He called upon the government to announce holiday on 11th Muharramul Haram in lieu of Sunday falling in the Muharram holidays so as to facilitate the Azadaran. He made it clear that the government has not yet announced setting up of Muharram Control Rooms and the Azadaran were contacting us from all over the country for solution of their Azadari issues. Therefore, he added, the government should set up Muharram Control Rooms at Federal and Provincial level including Gilgit-Balochistan, disseminate the same on the media and inform the headquarters of the Maktab-e-Tashayyo forthwith about it through a Notification.

Ala Haider strongly condemned the uncalled for restrictions imposed on Ulema, Zakireen and the representative personalities of the Makatib by Administration in different cities. Expressing his concern over inclusion of banned elements in the government’s Peace Committees he declared this act incapability of the government machinery saying that on one hand these elements have been banned while they are made to sit around government functionaries and given media coverage on the other that is tantamount to enmity with the motherland.

He said the government should waive restrictions imposed on them if they are patriotic or take practical steps against them in letter and spirit.

The delegations from Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Islamabad and other cities apprised him of their problems viz. Azadari and requested to bring the same to the notice of the government for solution.