Terming the gruesome and barbaric attack in Peshwar which claimed lives of 141 people, including 132 children, as a cause of concern, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and head of Mutehida Majlis-e-Ulema, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said it has become extremely incumbent on Islamic leaders and Ulema to introspect and look for reasons which cause certain elements to commit such crimes and defame Islam.
Addressing a Friday gathering at historic Jamia Masjid, he said, “Those elements who commit such gruesome acts could never be followers of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW). There is a fundamental flaw in their understanding of the religion. Islam is a religion of peace, non violence and tolerance and there was absolutely no place for such barbarity, nor can any justification for it be acceptable.”
Mirwaiz said that right through the fourteen hundred year old history of Islam and especially during the caliphate of Ummayads and Abbasis, the institution of Madrasas played a key role and produced intellectuals, scientists, thinkers, astrologers, philosophers and many notable personalities who contributed towards the well being and development of humanity.“However, in today’s era their role has become limited and sadly many of them are seen with suspicion, and as breeding grounds of extremism,” he said and emphasized that it should be our conscious endeavour to restore them to their previous glory as centers of learning and guidance.While expressing solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved families of Peshawar, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmiris can well understand and feel the pain and grief of those parents who lost their dear ones, “as we ourselves have and continue to suffer in a similar way.”He prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the attack who are recuperating in hospitals.