Islamist activists protest as Pakistan reopens Red Mosque
Saturday, 28 July 2007
Hundreds of hardline Islamist activists protested in the centre of Islamabad Friday as the government of General Pervez Musharraf re-opened the controversial Taliban-style Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, for the first time since it was stormed by the military earlier this month, according to Internet.
Chanting 'Al Jihad' (holy war) and 'Musharraf is a dog', the protesters blocked the entry of Maulana Ashfaq, the government-appointed cleric, to the mosque to lead Friday prayers.
They demanded the return of Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former chief cleric, who was arrested when he tried to fleeing the mosque during the military buildup wearing a 'burqa', the head-to-toe women's gown.
Analysts warned the potentially explosive situation was a powerful reminder of the continuing challenge faced by General Musharraf from Islamists.
Protesters threw stones and shoes at policemen, spectators, and journalists gathered outside the mosque. They even punched Liaquat Baloch, a leading political figure in the MMA (Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal), the six-party coalition of Islamic groups.
Later, Mr Baloch condemned General Musharraf, saying: "Neither Musharraf nor the government has any right to appoint its own 'khateeba' (prayer leader). The demands of the people must be met".
Part of the unrest stems from a dispute over the number of casualties from the military's assault on the mosque, with the government estimating the death toll at fewer than 80 Islamists while clerics claim several hundred people were killed.
The dispute began in January when activists from an Islamic women's religious school adjoining the mosque forcibly occupied a municipal library in protest at the government's move to demolish mosques built on illegally occupied state land. In April, Maulana Aziz threatened to send suicide bombers if the mosque was stormed.
Chanting 'Al Jihad' (holy war) and 'Musharraf is a dog', the protesters blocked the entry of Maulana Ashfaq, the government-appointed cleric, to the mosque to lead Friday prayers.
They demanded the return of Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former chief cleric, who was arrested when he tried to fleeing the mosque during the military buildup wearing a 'burqa', the head-to-toe women's gown.
Analysts warned the potentially explosive situation was a powerful reminder of the continuing challenge faced by General Musharraf from Islamists.
Protesters threw stones and shoes at policemen, spectators, and journalists gathered outside the mosque. They even punched Liaquat Baloch, a leading political figure in the MMA (Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal), the six-party coalition of Islamic groups.
Later, Mr Baloch condemned General Musharraf, saying: "Neither Musharraf nor the government has any right to appoint its own 'khateeba' (prayer leader). The demands of the people must be met".
Part of the unrest stems from a dispute over the number of casualties from the military's assault on the mosque, with the government estimating the death toll at fewer than 80 Islamists while clerics claim several hundred people were killed.
The dispute began in January when activists from an Islamic women's religious school adjoining the mosque forcibly occupied a municipal library in protest at the government's move to demolish mosques built on illegally occupied state land. In April, Maulana Aziz threatened to send suicide bombers if the mosque was stormed.