Karachi: Right after the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer by his own guard, rumors of fatwas against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman are on rise. News and blogs, containing such stuff are present at about one dozen websites.
Sherry Rehman said while commenting over fatwas against her, “The people who issued fatwas against her did not read what she asked for. “We are all Muslims, and you can’t be a Muslim without protecting the Prophet’s (PBUH) sanctity.”
She said the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a struggle against injustice. “That is what we seek. What they are doing is pure incitement to violence.”
It is being said that fatwas have been issued, declaring her a non-Muslim and demanding death sentence for her.
Munir Ahmed Shakir, the Imam of Sultan Masjid, located in the Southern city of Pakistan, Karachi is now the focus of these rumors, who has openly denied any fatwa issued by him in this regard.
While talking to UK based bilingual website Shakir stated that he is not a mufti nor he issued any fatwa ever. He further said that the facts are open about Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s murder, none should try to hatch conspiracies in this regard.
Which I said during the sermon of Juma prayer is that Sherry Rehman should not tabled a bill against blasphemy law, because it was passed unanimously by all schools of thoughts.
He said he has been performing duties in the mosque since its establishment. The mosque is being run under the supervision of Saudi military attaché and Defence Minister Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
Another rumor is that a pamphlet containing fatwa against Sherry was distributed by the Tanzeem-e-Islami (TI). Ameer TI Karachi, Shujauddin Shaikh also refuses the allegation and said that TI did not issue any pamphlet containing such a fatwa. The only one, which was issued by the TI is available on our website. There is no fatwa in the pamphlet, he said.
He further said that the PPP government has hurt the feelings of the people by tabling a bill to amend the blasphemy law, through MNA Sherry Rehman. She has demanded review of the whole process of blasphemy law, including punishment for the blasphemer. Reviewing punishment of blasphemy is not acceptable for entire nation, he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that following the rumors, not threats, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has suggested her to must leave the country as her life is in danger.
Meanwhile police has received an application to register a case against the Imam of the Sultan Masjid for allegedly issuing a fatwa against Sherry Rehman.
According to the police officials, the initial investigation suggested that there was no evidence to prove that Shakir was guilty. He had already denied issuing any fatwa. Police monitors the Sultan Masjid every Friday and it did not hear anything in this regard.
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