"These attacks are justifiable against non believers." rants the cleric.
---------
Radical cleric wants Islamic rule across the world
By Fasihur Rehman Khan, Correspondent
Published: April 17, 2009, 22:42
Islamabad: A radical Pakistani cleric on Friday urged the imposition of Islamic rule across Pakistan and the world.
It was an emotional welcome outside the famous Lal Masjid premises for Abdul Aziz amid tight security.
Students of Lal Masjid bulldozed their way to Jamia Hafsa (female seminary) to welcome their grand teacher who had returned after 20 months detention behind bars.
Aziz and his slain brother Gazi Abdul Rashid, both having hardline religious views had developed serious differences with the regime of former military leader General Pervez Musharraf, over operations in tribal areas and their demand to enforce Islamic Law in the country.
The Lal Masjid, had till then acquired the status of an anti-government rebel stronghold. But the situation got out of control when the students started raiding massage centres, video shops and alleged brothel houses in Islamabad.
They allegedly kidnapped some Chinese massage centre workers from Islamabad, subsequently leading to a standoff with security forces that finally culminated to a military operation that resulted to many deaths.
Aziz was caught during his failed escape attempt from the compound 48 hours prior to the military operation against his students and militants in July 2007 where his younger brother Gazi Rashid was killed in shootout with security forces.
Aziz was arrested outside the premises at the time as he was wearing a woman veil to hide himself, but was identified, attested and put behind bars.
But around 100 of his students, militants and other people were killed in a shootout between security forces and people who were holed up inside the premises.
Aziz's younger brother, Gazi Rashid, son Hassan, and mother also died during the operation after failed efforts to broker a deal for a peaceful settlement.
But Aziz is finally back to the centre-stage.
After serving nearly 20 months long detention since military operation against Lal Masjid administration in the heart of Pakistani capital Islamabad.
He was released on bail on the orders of Pakistani Supreme Court on Thursday evening.
Talking to the media after his release, Maulana Abdul Aziz said he was ready to forgive General Musharraf for the well-being of the country. Aziz led the Friday prayers in the Lal Masjid amidst tears and cries, and urged the government to enforce Islamic Sharia Law at the earliest.
"The suicide attacks in Pakistan is a reaction of large scale killings in Lal Masjid and tribal areas of the country," Aziz said, adding "my heart bleeds when I see death and destruction as a result of these suicide attacks.
"These attacks are justifiable against non believers."
"Suicide attacks against Muslims are not permitted in Islam," the cleric said.
Aziz said the killing of his innocent relatives and students in the military operation would bear fruit and result in spread of real teachings of Islam and enforcement of Islamic Sharia in Pakistan.
"God willing, our sacrifices will not go in vain and the religion of Islam will be implemented not only in Pakistan but all over the world," Aziz told followers crammed into the mosque and spilling out onto the street.
"We are a peaceful people but if our way is blocked then you have witnessed the scenes in Swat and in Fata," he said, referring to the violence-plagued ethnic Pashtun Federally Administered Tribal Areas on the Afghan border.
---------
Radical cleric wants Islamic rule across the world
By Fasihur Rehman Khan, Correspondent
Published: April 17, 2009, 22:42
Islamabad: A radical Pakistani cleric on Friday urged the imposition of Islamic rule across Pakistan and the world.
It was an emotional welcome outside the famous Lal Masjid premises for Abdul Aziz amid tight security.
Students of Lal Masjid bulldozed their way to Jamia Hafsa (female seminary) to welcome their grand teacher who had returned after 20 months detention behind bars.
Aziz and his slain brother Gazi Abdul Rashid, both having hardline religious views had developed serious differences with the regime of former military leader General Pervez Musharraf, over operations in tribal areas and their demand to enforce Islamic Law in the country.
The Lal Masjid, had till then acquired the status of an anti-government rebel stronghold. But the situation got out of control when the students started raiding massage centres, video shops and alleged brothel houses in Islamabad.
They allegedly kidnapped some Chinese massage centre workers from Islamabad, subsequently leading to a standoff with security forces that finally culminated to a military operation that resulted to many deaths.
Aziz was caught during his failed escape attempt from the compound 48 hours prior to the military operation against his students and militants in July 2007 where his younger brother Gazi Rashid was killed in shootout with security forces.
Aziz was arrested outside the premises at the time as he was wearing a woman veil to hide himself, but was identified, attested and put behind bars.
But around 100 of his students, militants and other people were killed in a shootout between security forces and people who were holed up inside the premises.
Aziz's younger brother, Gazi Rashid, son Hassan, and mother also died during the operation after failed efforts to broker a deal for a peaceful settlement.
But Aziz is finally back to the centre-stage.
After serving nearly 20 months long detention since military operation against Lal Masjid administration in the heart of Pakistani capital Islamabad.
He was released on bail on the orders of Pakistani Supreme Court on Thursday evening.
Talking to the media after his release, Maulana Abdul Aziz said he was ready to forgive General Musharraf for the well-being of the country. Aziz led the Friday prayers in the Lal Masjid amidst tears and cries, and urged the government to enforce Islamic Sharia Law at the earliest.
"The suicide attacks in Pakistan is a reaction of large scale killings in Lal Masjid and tribal areas of the country," Aziz said, adding "my heart bleeds when I see death and destruction as a result of these suicide attacks.
"These attacks are justifiable against non believers."
"Suicide attacks against Muslims are not permitted in Islam," the cleric said.
Aziz said the killing of his innocent relatives and students in the military operation would bear fruit and result in spread of real teachings of Islam and enforcement of Islamic Sharia in Pakistan.
"God willing, our sacrifices will not go in vain and the religion of Islam will be implemented not only in Pakistan but all over the world," Aziz told followers crammed into the mosque and spilling out onto the street.
"We are a peaceful people but if our way is blocked then you have witnessed the scenes in Swat and in Fata," he said, referring to the violence-plagued ethnic Pashtun Federally Administered Tribal Areas on the Afghan border.
