Zubair Qureshi
Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi has made it clear there is no room in Islam or Shariah for ‘public justice’ particularly in sensitive matters like blasphemy or desecration of Islam or Islamic principles.
He expressed these views during an informal meeting with media persons here Thursday.
In Pakistan, he said there were four types of convictions under different blasphemy laws.
These acts of sacrilege are categorized according to the nature and severity of the act and their convictions vary from capital punishment to three-year imprisonment.
However, in our society all types of desecrations are considered liable to capital punishment i.e. death which should be clarified, he said and urged the media to play its role in sensitizing the public about it and promote tolerance in society.
While giving details, the Chairman of the CII said blasphemy against the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is liable to death sentence. Likewise, an act of sacrilege against the Quran is liable to life-imprisonment.
Offence towards Ahl-e-Bait (Family of the Prophet) or Fellows of the Prophet (Sahaba) is also an act of sacrilege and if proven the convict will be awarded seven-year jail.
Lastly, offences such as denial or violation of the Anti-Ahmadi Ordinance can result in three-year jail, he said.
However, Chairman of the CII made it clear there was a proper legal procedure and instead of taking law in their hand, the complainant(s) should follow the due process like lodging an F.I.R, producing evidence and witnesses in support of their complaint.
The public needs to be sensitized on this issue and made aware, he said. No one has the right to issue ‘fatwa’ or decree about murder over these laws since it will lead to anarchy in society and will be challenging the writ of the state.
This (prosecution in blasphemy) purely falls purely within the purview of the state and its institutions, he said.
Allama Raghib Naeemi said recently when he declared a ‘fatwa’ by an individual against the Chief Justice of Pakistan as unconstitutional and against Shariah, he received over 500 threatening letters and messages.
Issuing ‘fatwa’ or decree of murder of someone is purely unconstitutional, illegal and against the spirit of Shariah and Islam, he said.
Unfortunately, the religious parties have made the ‘blasphemy’ issue very sensitive and now no one dares talk about it, he said.
