Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi
Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi | |
---|---|
Born | 16 February 1948 |
Died | June 12, 2009 | (aged 61)
Era | Modern era |
Region | Barelvi[1] |
Notable ideas | Outspoken views against suicide bombings |
Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi Shaheed, (
Life
Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi, son of Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naeemi, was born on 16 February 1948. His ancestors had migrated to Pakistan from
He has four daughters and one son, Raghib Hussain Naeemi, who succeeded him as principal of Jamia Naeemia after his death.[5]
Views
Naeemi was known for his outspoken views against suicide bombings and militancy, for openly supporting the
Naeemi had also organised demonstrations against the Taliban as well organising an alliance of religious organisations to oppose the Taliban. Last month the Sunni Ittehad Council announced that they "strongly condemn the Taliban and urge the Pakistan military to eliminate them at the earliest", the council also said it would "unveil the real face of the Taliban before the public" by exposing their brutality.
He was known for his stance on global Muslim issues like victimisation and suppression of Muslim movements and invasions on Muslim countries. He raised his voice against
Assassination
For making these statements, he had received death threats. He had refused police protection. On the day of his death he was greeting visitors in his office after Friday prayers when the suicide bomber managed to get inside and detonate himself at around 3 pm.
Aftermath
Shortly after the blast, hundreds of mourners gathered at the mosque and chanted "Death to Taliban".[12] Widespread protests were noted in Lahore after the attacks. Security was increased around all major seminaries and mosques in the city. All Pakistan traders association announced a countrywide strike for the following day. Naeemi's son Raghib filed a complaint the following day with the police saying "Baitullah Mehsud is responsible for planning and motivating the attack that killed my father", and accused him of murder.
The following day a general strike was observed in Pakistan. Karachi the commercial capital of the country was virtually shut down. About 200 activists of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat, a moderate Muslim sect, staged a mock funeral procession for the Taliban. They chanted "Down with the Taliban, Taliban is the enemy of Islam, death for the killers of Sarfraz Naeemi." Mohammad Arif, 35, a former Naeemi student who now works as a prayer leader at the mosque said "We have no doubts that Taliban have killed our leader, Our demand to the government is that they should kill each and every Taliban. We demand that their chief Baitullah Mehsud should be arrested and hanged in public. This is the only option to save this country."
In neighboring India, Muslim groups also protested against the killing of Naeemi and the activities of the Pakistani Taliban. The head of the Muslim Students Organization of India, Shahnawaz Warsi, said "We came together to protest the ongoing killings of Sunni scholars by the
Reaction
The killing of Sarfraz Naeemi was strongly condemned by Prime Minister
Awards and recognition
- Sitara-i-Shujaat (Star of Bravery) by the President of Pakistan in 2018.[17]
References
- ^ Split ticket The Friday Times (newspaper), Published 21 December 2012, Retrieved 4 June 2018
- ^ a b Taliban critic slain in Pakistan suicide bombing Archived 15 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, the Los Angeles Times, Published 13 June 2009, Retrieved 4 June 2018
- ^ a b Bomb kills senior Pakistan cleric Archived 14 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, BBC, Published 12 June 2009, Retrieved 4 June 2018
- ^ a b Syed Kamran Hashmi (18 March 2016). "Are Barelvis more tolerant Muslims?". Daily Times (newspaper). Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi's profile Archived 12 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The News International, Published 13 June 2009, Retrieved 4 June 2018
- ^ A grim murder (Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi's) Archived 17 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine Dawn, Published 14 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ Pakistan attack targets moderate cleric The Christian Science Monitor, Published 12 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ "Anti-Taliban cleric killed by bomb". The Independent (newspaper). 13 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 November 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ "Bombers target two Pakistani cities Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ Pak clerics issue fatwa for jehad if India attacks, The Indian Express, Published 6 January 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ Slaying of Cleric Sarfaraz Naeemi Shows Taliban Widening Its Targets in Pakistan Archived 30 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Washington Post, Published 17 June 2009, Retrieved 4 June 2018
- ^ a b c Moderate Cleric Among 9 Killed in Pakistan Blasts Archived 12 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, Published 12 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ Blast kills cleric who denounced suicide attacks Archived 16 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, CNN, Published 12 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ a b Pakistani Military Launches Airstrikes on Taliban Strongholds Archived 23 March 2021 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, Published 13 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ "Indian Muslims condemn Pakistani Taliban". United Press International. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ Zardari condemns 'brutal' Taliban Archived 13 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, BBC, Published 13 June 2009, Retrieved 5 June 2018
- ^ President Mamnoon confers civil awards on Yaum-i-Pakistan Archived 4 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine Dawn (newspaper), Published 23 March 2018, Retrieved 4 June 2018