Staff Reporter Islamabad
Condemning the brutal killing of Sri Lankan na-tional Priyantha Kumara at the hands of an enraged mob in Sialkot over blasphemy allegations earlier this month, renowned preacher and religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil on Wednesday said that the religion of Islam did not allow such barbarity and oppression.
Speaking to the media after meeting Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, Jamil said that Islam’s literal meaning refers to submission, surrender and peace-ful reconciliation, especially compliance with the divine directives. Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Mu-hammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi accompanied Jamil.
“Muslims adhere to the Quran and Sunnat and are required to obey these directives,” he said, adding that the holy book says whoever kills an innocent person it is as though he has killed all mankind, and whoever saves a life it is as though he has saved all mankind.
The renowned preacher said that those who killed the innocent Sri Lankan national deserved severe punishment, adding that they were visiting Sri Lankan High Commission to seek an apology. “The whole Pakistani nation was ashamed for the barbarity. No one has the right to burn anyone,” he said. Jamil asked people to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Speaking on the occasion, Sri Lankan high commis-sioner thanked both dignitaries for visiting and said that the Sri Lankan government was fully satisfied with the steps taken by the Pakistani government.
Ashrafi, while condemning the Sialkot incident, said on the occasion that the factory management has decided to bear all the expenses of the two children of Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana.
“The administration has also given a job to a Sri Lankan citizen in the factory,” he added.
The nation was left shell-shocked on December 3 when a Sri Lankan national, identified as Diyawa-danage Don Nandasri Priyantha, was brutally lynched before being set ablaze by a mob in Sialkot over allegations of blasphemy.
PM has already assuresd Sri Lankan president of justice in Sialkot lynching.
