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Islamabad, April 17, 2009: A radical Pakistani
cleric on Friday urged the imposition of Islamic rule across Pakistan
and the world.
It was an emotional welcome outside the famous Lal Masjid premises for
Abdul Aziz amid tight security.
Students of Lal Masjid bulldozed their way to Jamia Hafsa (female
seminary) to welcome their grand teacher who had returned after 20
months detention behind bars.
Aziz and his slain brother Gazi Abdul Rashid, both having hardline
religious views had developed serious differences with the regime of
former military leader General Pervez Musharraf, over operations in
tribal areas and their demand to enforce Islamic Law in the country.
The Lal Masjid, had till then acquired the status of an anti-government
rebel stronghold. But the situation got out of control when the students
started raiding massage centres, video shops and alleged brothel houses
in Islamabad.
They allegedly kidnapped some Chinese massage centre workers from
Islamabad, subsequently leading to a standoff with security forces that
finally culminated to a military operation that resulted to many deaths.
Aziz was caught during his failed escape attempt from the compound 48
hours prior to the military operation against his students and militants
in July 2007 where his younger brother Gazi Rashid was killed in
shootout with security forces.
Aziz was arrested outside the premises at the time as he was wearing a
woman veil to hide himself, but was identified, attested and put behind
bars.
But around 100 of his students, militants and other people were killed
in a shootout between security forces and people who were holed up
inside the premises.
Aziz's younger brother, Gazi Rashid, son Hassan, and mother also died
during the operation after failed efforts to broker a deal for a
peaceful settlement.
But Aziz is finally back to the centre-stage.
After serving nearly 20 months long detention since military operation
against Lal Masjid administration in the heart of Pakistani capital
Islamabad.
He was released on bail on the orders of Pakistani Supreme Court on
Thursday evening.
Talking to the media after his release, Maulana Abdul Aziz said he was
ready to forgive General Musharraf for the well-being of the country.
Aziz led the Friday prayers in the Lal Masjid amidst tears and cries,
and urged the government to enforce Islamic Sharia Law at the earliest.
"The suicide attacks in Pakistan is a reaction of large scale killings
in Lal Masjid and tribal areas of the country," Aziz said, adding "my
heart bleeds when I see death and destruction as a result of these
suicide attacks.
"These attacks are justifiable against non believers."
"Suicide attacks against Muslims are not permitted in Islam," the cleric
said.
Aziz said the killing of his innocent relatives and students in the
military operation would bear fruit and result in spread of real
teachings of Islam and enforcement of Islamic Sharia in Pakistan.
"God willing, our sacrifices will not go in vain and the religion of
Islam will be implemented not only in Pakistan but all over the world,"
Aziz told followers crammed into the mosque and spilling out onto the
street.
"We are a peaceful people but if our way is blocked then you have
witnessed the scenes in Swat and in Fata," he said, referring to the
violence-plagued ethnic Pashtun Federally Administered Tribal Areas on
the Afghan border.
With inputs from agenices.
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