Islamic clerics on Friday told President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that they would consider issuing a decree that suicide attacks on mosques and imambargahs were un-Islamic.
| "Yeah. We'll think about it. We'll let you know." |
| "Unless they ain't authentically Moose-limbs. You know, like us. Then it's okay." |
Talking to the Daily Times after a meeting with the president and prime minister at the former's camp office in Rawalpindi, Coordination Secretary of the Ithad-e-Tanzimat-e-Madars-e-Dinya Qari Hanif Jalandhry said the clerics were urged by the president and premier to issue a decree that suicide attacks on mosques and imambargahs were un-Islamic. "The mullas made it clear to the president and the prime minister that they would only consider it," he said, because they would have to consult scholars authorised to issue such decrees. He said the consultations would be held soon.
| "We'll have to look it up in the Koran. I don't recall no rules against killing people, but we'll check..." |
Minister of State for Religious Affairs Dr Amir Liaqat Hussain told a private television channel that the clerics pledged to issue a decree calling suicide attacks on Shia and Sunni mosques un-Islamic. When asked about the state minister's claim, Mr Jalandhry said the clerics had not given any such assurance. He said the president and the prime minister were told that the clerics would help the government eliminate extremism from the country. He said that the president also said stern action would be taken against any writer, printer or publisher responsible for material that encouraged sectarian violence. The president and premier criticised the recent wave of terrorism strongly and said it was inconceivable that a Muslim could kill another Muslim during prayer, a press release said. "We have to forge unity in our ranks, shun discord, develop trust and understanding and stop issuing fatwas (decrees) against each other. We have to prevent extremists from imposing their views on others because Islam encourages tolerance and peace and well-being of all," the press release from the two leaders said. |