When has sharia ever been implemented “correctly,” according to apologists scrambling to cover for its abuses of human rights? Not unlike communism, the utopian promises of sharia never work out as advertised, but it doesn’t stop the proponents of system from wanting to implement it everywhere as quickly as possible.
But the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief quoted below sidesteps the issue of the substance of sharia law by taking issue with the implementation of the law and its proper channels of legislation and promulgation. However, if it’s that important, shouldn’t they have thought of that before signing off on sharia in the region?
“Swat Shariah Must be in Line with Council of Islamic Ideology: Fazl,” by Afzal Khan for the Khaleej Times:
ISLAMABAD – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticised the manner in which Shariah is being implemented in Swat.
“The process of enforcing Shariah in Swat is incorrect. It must be implemented on the basis of recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology,” Fazl said while addressing a news conference in Lahore at the end of a two-day meeting of the party”s central executive committee on Monday.
Fazl said that whatever Tehrik-e-Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi chief Sufi Mohammed had been saying about the constitution, democracy and Islamic ideology were his personal views and did not represent those of others belonging to his school of thought.
Really?
Fazl said that Sufi had limited knowledge of democracy, adding that the JUI accepted the present democratic system which guaranteed legislation under the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
The JUI, a religio-political party, is part of the ruling coalition at the centre. It ruled the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) while heading a six-party alliance of country”s main religious parties and groups under the banner of the Muttahida Majlise Amal (MMA) for five years in 2002-2007.
Fazl said that the failure of the democratic institutions to enact necessary Islamic legislations has led to the present situation otherwise there would have been no complaints and problems.
He said the JUI had formed a committee to review the resolutions adopted by the National Assembly for implementing Shariah in 1994, 1999 and 2009.
He blamed lawmakers” deviation from Islamic legislation for the unrest in the North West Frontier Province.
Fazl critcised politics of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) accusing it of pursuing a foreign agenda with sectarian undertones while opposing the enforcement of Shariah law in Swat.
Fazl said the US attacks have a lethal impact on the country”s integrity. He said the JUI had begun consulting other religious and political parties to develop a national consensus on safeguarding the country”s frontiers.
He said the government was not serious about countering various challenges and threats being faced by the country.
He’s got that much right.