Islamist Leader: We Are Not Moderates, Extremists, Democrats Or Progressives

Pakistan’s top Islamist leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who was released from prison by the Pakistani government under a Shari’a-for-peace deal, has vowed to work for the implementation of Shari’a across the country.

The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq quoted Sufi Muhammad as saying that after the implementation of Shari’a in the Malakand-Swat region of the North West Frontier Province as agreed under the deal, he will start the Shari’a movement in different parts of Pakistan.

According to the report, Sufi Muhammad rejected allegations that after the implementation of Shari’a in the Malakand-Swat region, it will become difficult for foreign tourists go there due to fears of the Taliban.

According to another report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jang, Sufi Muhammad said: ‘‘Peace and security are possible only through the implementation of Shari’a... We [Taliban] are not progressives, democrats, moderates or extremists; but [we are] those Muslims who have been discussed in the Koran and Sunnat.’’

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, May 16, 2008; Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, May 16, 2008

(See also MEMRI Blog, Pakistan Releases Militant Islamist Leader Sufi Muhammad, April 22, 2008)

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Indian Clerics Conference Issues World's First Anti-Terror Fatwa, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1959 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - June 13, 2008

Editorial in Pakistan Right-Wing Urdu Daily Blames U.S., Afghanistan, India for Terrorism in Pakistan, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1881 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - March 28, 2008

Pakistani Taliban Emir Beitullah Mahsoud: Pakistan Should Use Its Nuclear Weapons to Challenge the Enemies; Only 5% of Fighters in Afghanistan Are Ours; "We Take Pride in Being Enemies of the Jews and Christians", Special Dispatch Series - No. 1941 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 27, 2008

Pakistan Takes Steps Towards Shari'a State In Seven Districts , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1933 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 16, 2008

Pakistani Columnist: Islam is NATO's Big Adversary After Cold War, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1932 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 16, 2008

Pakistan-Based Militant Group Lashkar-e-Islam Vows 'To Spread Islam Across the World', Special Dispatch Series - No. 1906 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - April 23, 2008

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