The Lal Masjid Tragedy …

Minhaj-ul-Quran's press release on the Lal Masjid tragedy is in Urdu, so here is my English translation of the press release for my English-speaking readers:


Shaikh-ul-Islam, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, has said that the Lal Masjid tragedy has caused severe damage to the image of Islam and Pakistan on an international level. Those who work to clarify the real concept of Islam will have to move forward with wisdom and foresight, and in this connection, the scholars especially will have to recognize their responsibilities. He said that the damage incurred to the international image of Islam due to the Lal Masjid issue should be a cause of concern to every Muslim. There is no place in Islam for extremist and terrorist methodologies or myopic viewpoints. He was delivering a telephonic address to the monthly congregation of the Majlis Khatam Salat-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) at the ground opposite the Central Secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran yesterday, which was attended by thousands of men and women. Shaikh-ul-Islam, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the difficulties of expatriate Pakistanis and the Ummah would increase due to the Lal Masjid tragedy. The baseless conception of Muslims as extremists and terrorists will get stronger. In these conditions, the responsibility falls on the Ummah and the scholars to play their role in spreading the true teachings of Islam based on peace, forbearance, love, and religious tolerance. To meet the challenges faced by Islam on an international level, it is imperative that an organized effort be made on a collective level against the evil conspiracies bent upon associating negative extremist methodologies with Islam so that the negative propaganda against Islam is countered. He said that the picture of Islam the world saw with respect to the Lal Masjid issue has no link whatsoever with the real teachings of Islam. Minhaj-ul-Quran Movement is playing an important role in spreading the real teachings of Islam in the whole world, and in five continents of the world, people are playing their peaceful and constructive roles in their respective societies after coming into contact with the Islamic message of love and peace. Shaikh-ul-Islam said that struggle should be done on individual and collective levels against the false anti-Islamic propaganda so that the real peace-loving face of Islam is shown to humanity. In this connection, the scholars of Minhaj-ul-Quran are playing their roles effectively as ambassadors of peace and harmony. He said that Pakistan is an extremely important country of the Muslim world that has the full potential to provide leadership to the Muslim world. That is why anti-Islamic forces are bent upon weakening it in every respect. Events like the Lal Masjid have severely damaged its image as potential leader of the Muslim world. In the future, the public will also have to play their role in preventing such irresponsible, negative events. Shaikh-ul-Islam, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, said that Minhaj-ul-Quran is a worldwide movement for the Renaissance of Islam. The rejuvenation of the culture of Knowledge is a responsibility that falls on Minhaj-ul-Quran. Knowledge does not bring positive results without Practice. Prostration changes Knowledge into Light. So it is important that apart from the Practice of always sending blessings to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the seeking of Knowledge and the Practicing of that Knowledge should be kept uppermost in one’s priorities. He said that the Muslim Ummah should put its efforts in the quest of Knowledge. Minhaj-ul-Quran Movement is working in the whole world on raising awareness about the acquisition of Knowledge. Knowledge becomes Gainful Knowledge after Practice and the Practice of getting up in the night to prostrate before God changes Knowledge into Light and confers an inner light to a person that gives him or her success in this Life and the Hereafter.