It seems that Tuhahaffaz Namoos Rasalat (TNR) has become a source of political power for the Mullahs. As expected, where ever there is power, there are contenders. So, intense completion between Mullahs is on where Maulana Fazalur Rehaman (FR) is trying to outdo his JI rival, Munawwar Hussain.

Maulana FR has broken all the boundaries of a civil and democratic society. Addressing a rally in Lahore he suggested to Governor, Latif Khosa that the later should meet killer Mumtaz Qadri and congratulate him because he is the one who got him the governorship. This is the cruelest and cynical statement a leader can make on the killing of an innocent citizen. FR is not violating the country’s law but also giving his judgment on a murder even before the due process.

FR claiming to be the best Pakistani and Muslim. He wants us to forget his party Jameiat opposed the creation of Pakistan. His father, Maulana Mufti Mahmood, was reported to have said “Pakistan bnane ke gunah main hum shamil nahin the” (We were not part of those sinners who created Pakistan). And when FR was asked in India if India and Pakistan can reunite his response was “Elders should sit down and talk.”

Maulana FR was losing his leverage against Pakistan People’s Party and Awami National Party. And, he does not have an MQM type constituency that can be used for any manipulation and blackmailing. Furthermore, he is being overshadowed by JI rhetoric. Therefore, being a shrewd and most opportunistic politician he grabbed the TNR movement to regain his lost grounds. He is not protecting prophet’s name but contesting the next election and blackmailing PPP. It should be clear to all. (Source)

The prime mover of TNR is Jamaat-i-Islami (JI):

The prime mover of TNR is Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), the mother of most theocratic and extremist religious trends. JI is another case of fake contender of ideology of Pakistan. The party opposed the creation of Pakistan tooth and nail and issued fatwas against Mohammad Ali Jinnah. By the way it got foothold in Punjab courtesy of Allama Mohammad Iqbal. A landlord Chauhdry Barkat Ali had asked Allama Iqbal to recommend a suitable Islamic organization who can take his estate in Pathankot. Allama Iqbal recommended Maulana Maudodi and this is how JI expanded its base in Punjab. This one of the reason that I feel that JI cadres and Taliban are Iqbal’s ‘Shaheens.’

Presently, JI is competing for influence for itself but that is its secondary goal versus Fazalur Rehman whose main goal is political power. For JI, TNR is a vehicle to keep religious parties united and to slowly dismantle what is left of the secular institutions of the state. Taliban and other jihadi groups very well fit in its strategy to undo the system. Therefore, while Taliban and other jihadis keep the state engaged with guns JI provides a political cover to them. From free Afia Siddiqi to TNR movements are just political covers masterfully orchestrated by JI.

JI uses very subtle and sophisticated means to stoke the fires of religious extremism and bigotry. Apparently, JI gives the impression that, unlike Taliban and jihadi outfits, it is much more temperate and modernistic religious party but it is far from truth. Most dangerous jihadi and Taliban have been identified in providing refuge to killer jihadis. Nonetheless, JI tries to keep the façade of a mainstream non-violent party. Furthermore, they use Taliban crude methodology in educational institutions where they have real influence. But, to its credit JI has slowly implanted the ‘Campus Model’ elsewhere in the society. What is happening in Punjab is exactly what has been happening in Punjab University since 1970s.

JI by its very composition is very different from Jameiat-Ulama-e-Islam (JUI) because it does not recruit its members from madrassas: most of its middle and lower middle class recruits come from regular national educational institutions. Its recruiting of long-term trusted members is done from early school years and then they go through a long period of training and grooming. This is the reason that JI has strong teams of ideologues and strategists. Most of its leaders have gained the leadership experience in national universities and colleges. Therefore, unlike JUI it is in much better position to manipulate mainstream political discourse.

Ji has another advantage which is usually ignored by everyone: practicable or not, JI has a complete blueprint of an alternative Islamic society. Its main ideologue, Maulana Maudodi articulated an Islamic alternative for every aspect of life. No other religious or even a Socialist group has such a comprehensive plan for replacing the present system. This is the main reason that JI is the most lethal religious party. Its ultimate goal is to impose theocracy but it has a well thought-out plan for it. If its opponents want to undo JI’s increasing influence, they have to come out with a comprehensive alternative ideology that covers all aspects of life.

In this backdrop it is not very difficult to understand that for JI the movement of TNR is just an instrument to further its ultimate goal of Islamization. This is why JI refuses to follow Imam Abu Hanifa on blasphemy law (otherwise Ji follows fiqah Hanfia) and its leader Farid Paracha distorts the interpretation of Quranic verses. For JI every distortion is justified because it is done for a higher goal of imposition of theocracy. However, in the process the sanctity of religion is extremely compromised but JI does not care.

The people who want an enlightened Pakistan should take JI much more seriously than they do at present. Their ideology, strategies and operations should be clearly understood and rebutted.(Source)

Sunni Tehreek:

Sunni Tehreek, that includes the Brailvi sect of Indian Muslims, was the last straw that broke the religious tolerance’s camel’s back. Now, it can be safely said that there is no tolerant Islami sect among Pakistani Muslims: they have all become ritualistic and part of Mullah Shahi.

The Sunnis, particularly Brailvis were the least politicized by political Islam. Following the Sufi traditions faith was purely personal belief for them. However, the temptation of power and fame (or notoriety) of political Islam was hard to resist for Mullahs even of Brailvi sect. When they saw JI and JUI leaders like Liqat Baluch and Fazalur Rehman regularly appearing on the TV talk shows and rubbing shoulders with most powerful people they thought that they were majority and yet ignored. Therefore, they had to venture into political Islam and TNR was a perfect excuse for them.

As a matter of fact the Brailvis had abandoned the Sufi tradition long ago. They had become a ritualistic sect who took ‘khatam, drood’ as their basic distinction. The Sufi shrines had become the jagirs (estates) of sajjada nashins who were running them like feudal dynasties. The trend had started much earlier in the history. Baba Farid and his nominated leader of Chishtia sect, Nizamud Din Aulia had refused to see kings and their men. However, great grand sons of Baba Farid joined the Tugliq’s and were awarded a huge estate in Pakpattan. It was a noteworthy estate when Ranjeet Singh conquered Punjab and he had to negotiate with the then sajjada nasheen.

Therefore, it was clear that by the end of 18th or 19th century the Sufi movement had come to a close and what were left were rituals of Brailvi Mullahs and sajjada nasheens. Many of us confuse the great classical Punjabi poets with Sufi tradition. Fact is that they were intellectuals following a certain mode of life which resembled to Sufism. The tradition was diverse. Chishtia were anti-establishment and Suharwardia were pro Delhi kings. These two main sects adhered to very basic tenants of Islam. However, Mulamtia sect to whom Shah Hussain belonged was against entire ambit of ritualistic religion. Shah Hussain’s pre-condition for initiation (mureedi) was to drink alcohol and shave beard, moustaches, head hair and even eyebrows.

Sufi tradition could only survive in a multi-religious society which Punjab and Sindh were. The purging of Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan created an anti-Sufi environment. Therefore, it is not surprising at all that followers of Sufis, namely Brailvis, have become just like Wahabi and Deoband maulvis. They could not avoid the dictates of the environment. In contrast, Brailvis in India are much more tolerant of other religions because they have to live with them. More Hindus visit Ajmer shrine of Moeenud Din Chishti than Muslims.

Therefore, it is clear in Pakistan that Mullahs of all sects are now part of narrow vision of political Islam. No place is left for Islamic apologists who claim that Islam is a religion of tolerance. Every religion becomes tolerant according to the socio-political environment. But, in Pakistan’s present environment it is not possible. Secular state, separation of religion and the state are inevitable if the country has to exist. (Source)

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