Pakistan Finds Its Voice against a Hate-Filled Cleric

By Reema Abbasi

26 December 2014

We are a wounded people. But what has saved us from hopelessness, after the worst tragedy of our times, is resolute rage.

Imran Khan’s sit-in may have ended, but Islamabad is again the backdrop of an angry movement.

Activists and civilians are determined to see Maulana Abdul Aziz, the fascist cleric of Lal Masjid, a house of terror in the heart of the capital, under arrest.

This is the preacher who tried to escape in a Burqa following the Musharraf-led military action against his mosque and Jamia Hafsa, in 2007.

Thus far, the establishment has been no more than a bystander as Aziz spat venom in the media and in his speeches.

And today, as the world grieves for this nation’s slain generation, Aziz had the temerity to call the radical slayers his brethren and state that he did not condemn the tragedy.

The noose has tightened around Aziz. Incensed protesters encircled his mosque, undaunted by threats from the Taliban and warnings of arrest from law enforcers.

Two days of vigils and sloganeering resulted in an apology from the hard-line priest.

Aziz and Lal Masjid symbolise the disease of which terror is a symptom. Hence, his fate will mark a defining moment for Pakistan, brought to light by its citizenry.

Post-Peshawar, Pakistan is encapsulated in this movement – a relentless crowd swells with each threat.

The state looks on, interfering sporadically to shield the cleric as the police steers clear of the event.

The nation is glued to this movement. The moment Aziz is taken into custody will transfer power to the people. It will vindicate countless martyrs, and ensure a black-out of fanatic voices from all media.

Reema Abbasi is a Karachi-based journalist and author

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2887341/Pakistan-finds-voice-against-hate-filled-cleric.html#ixzz3N1qhi5of

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/pakistan-finds-its-voice-hate/d/100699