The leaders of over 150 political, religious, and social organizations and representatives belonging to all walks of life attended “Azmat-e-Mustafa (pbuh) National Conference” held under the aegis of Minhaj-ul-Quran International on 1st October 2012. The Conference, which continued for six hours, was organized to work out a consensus strategy against the constant publication of blasphemous material, cartoons and the making of profane movies.

Those who attended the National Conference included

• Governor of Punjab Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa
• Amir of MQI Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani
• MQI’s Secretary General Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi
• PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal
• Renowned lawyer and former federal minister S.M. Zafar
• MQM Central Executive Council member Syed Shaheen Anwer Gillani
• Jamat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Dr Farid Piracha
• Central leader of Tehreek e Infsaf Mian Afzal Hayat
• PTI central vice president Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry
• President of PLF Punjab Sardar Khurram Latif Khosa
• PML-N leader Zakia Shahnawaz
• Justice (r ) Nasira Javed Iqbal
• Member of Federal Council of PPP Abdul Qadir Shaheen
• PTI leader Nazir Ahmad Chohan
• Head of Jamia Naeemia Dr Raghib Naeemi
• JUI Information Secretary Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan
• Allama Maqsood Qadri
• Saqib Akbar of National Solidarity Council
• Hafiz Muhammad Ali Yazdani of Jamat-e-Ahle-Hadith
• President of Focus Pakistan Dr Owais Farooqi
• President of Pakistan Democratic Front Syed Muneer Husain Gillani
• President of Traders Association Khalid Pervez
• President of United Social Welfare Association Dr Asif Mahmood
• Hujriwi Chair, University of the Punjab Dr Zahoor Ahmad Azhar
• PML-N leader Saba Sadiq
• President of Women Commission of JI Dr Samia Raheel Qazi
• Lubna Zaid of Imamia Organization
• Rooba Humayon
• President of Welfare Organizers Aleena Tiwana
• Social worker Rizwana Khalil
• Director of Working Women Organization Dr Aaima
• Tahir Batool
• President of Lahore Chambers of Commerce Mian Zahid Javed Ahmad
• Chairman National Peace and Justice Council Mian Abdul Waheed
• President of Association of Landowners Muhammad Abid Ali Khan
• Zahid Hussain of Education Society
• Secretary General (youth wing) of WAPDA Workers Confederation Muhammad Anwer
• Muhammad Shahid Butt
• Chairman Agri Forum of Pakistan Ibrahim Mughal
• President of Tehreek-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Maulana Muhammad Javed Akbar Saqi
• leader of Khaksar Tehreek Muhammad Ayub
• Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq Naqashbandi of Writers Forum
• President of Liberty Market Union Lahore Muhammad Rizwan
• Sajjada Nasheen of Uch Sharif Pakistan Makhdoom Syed Nafees-ul-Hassan Qadri
• Secretary General of English Speaking Union Khalid Shafiq
• PML representative in Punjab Syed Naseeb Ullah Gardezi
• Central President of National Association of the Private Schools Sajjad Masood Chishti
• Chairman of Tehreek-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan Syed Ali Raza
• Vice president of Aiwan-e-Zaraat Punjab Ch Muhammad Abdullah
• Pir Bilal Ahmad Raza Qadri
• President of Musawar Welfare Association Muneer Ahmad
• Chairman of Pakistan Shia Political Party Syed Noubahar Shah
• Chairman of al-Falah Quran-e-Sunnat Academy Prof M.A. Rauf
• Chairman of Baba Guru Nanak Welfare Society Sardar Bashan Singh
• Journalist Shahid Discomi
• Sardar Jaswinder Singh
• Chairman Journalist Association of Pakistan Dr Ahsan Mahmood
• President of Teachers Association Prof Mian Muhammad Akram
• Hassan Qureshi
• Abu Madni of Al-Muhammadia Students Pakistan
• President of Pakistan Muslim League (Qasim) Saifullah Saif
• Prof Muhammad Awan of Teachers Association
• Prof Hafiz Muhammad Yaqub of Teachers Association
• Chairman of Pakistan National Muslim League Amjad Ali Warraich
• General Secretary of Punjab Union of Journalists Waseem Farooq Malik
• President of Pakistan Cooperative Housing Society Dr Muhammad Aslam Bhatti
• Ch Sharafat Ali of Punjab Society
• Film director Jarar Rizvi
• Vice chairman of Association of Traders Lahore Muhammad Shafiq Raza Qadri
• PTI leader Shabbir Sial
• Khateeb Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad
• Chairman Sarafa Union Rizwan Akhtar Shamsi
• Dr Badar Muneer Saifi of PPP Ulama Council
• MNA of PML-Q Farkhanda Amjad
• Christian leader Rev. Dr Marqus Fida (Chairman Universal Peace & Harmony Inter Religions Forum)
• Hindu leader Dr Manohar Chand
• Baber Sohail of People Youth Organization Punjab
• Muhammad Ali Khan of Youth Organization Punjab
• Pir Akhtar Rasool of Jamiat Ulama Pakistan
• Col. (r ) Mumtaz Hussain
• Syed Nisar Tirmazi
• Naib Amir of MQI, Sayed Ali Ghazanfar Kararvi
• Senior Deputy Sec. General of MQI, Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz
• Deputy Sec. General of MQI, GM Malik
• Director Interfaith Relations of MQI, Sohail Ahmad Raza
• Director Events Management of MQI, Jawad Hamid and others.

The participants of the conference adopted the following declaration unanimously on the occasion:

1. The sacrilegious movie produced in the US and the publication of blasphemous cartoons of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in other western countries has deeply hurt the emotions of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. The national conference strongly condemns such heinous and terrorist actions.

2. Such heinous acts constitute a grave conspiracy to global peace and tend to push the world into a civilizational clash.

3. The Muslims of the world have adopted peaceful a course of action for the expression of their sentiments. The participants of the conference express their complete solidarity with the peaceful protests undertaken across the world.

4. Islam is a religion of peace. The participants of the conference strongly condemn the acts of violence, arson and burning of public and private properties at the hands of mischief mongering elements.

5. The participants of the conference congratulated Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad tahir-ul-Qadri on writing a letter to the American President, the UN and OIC secretary-generals and the heads of states, and they endorsed the contents of the letter.

6. The conference demands of the UN and the international leadership that:

1. Blasphemy against the Prophets and the founders of religions cannot be described as freedom of expression at any level. This constitutes sheer violation of human rights of followers of different faiths in the context of existing international laws, conventions and teachings of religions.
2. Denigration against all the religion-founders should be included in the laws of all the countries as a discretionary punishment.
3. Clause 3 of Article 1 of the UN Charter should be amended as to exclude the blasphemy of religion from the ambit of freedom of expression and termed as a global crime.
4. A unanimous code of conduct should be prepared for social media aimed at banning the online posting or publication of blasphemous material against any religion in any form and legal action be proposed for those under the charge of inciting terrorism who violate this code of conduct.
5. Legal case be initiated against the producer, the director, the promoter and the writer of the said provocative movie in accord with the existing US and global laws on the charge of damaging global peace.

7. The conference demands of all OIC member countries and their heads that:

1. An OIC Summit of Heads of the States/Governments should be convened immediately on the issue of blasphemy of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).
2. The OIC member countries should unanimously move a resolution in the UN for immediate legislation on respect of religions.
3. If the UN chooses to ignore the demand of 57 Islamic countries and does not approve any legislation on the said count, the OIC member countries should unanimously boycott the UN system.
4. All the Muslim countries should place a ban on all such websites, journals and publications which post or publish hate and blasphemous material. The ban should stay intact unless the objectionable material is removed from the websites.

8. The participants of the conference demand of the government of Pakistan, all leaders and politicians of Pakistan that:

1. An all-parties conference and a joint session of Parliament should immediately be held on this occasion instead of delivering traditional and customary statements and a national policy on respect of religions be worked out.
2. The actions of extremists and terrorist elements in the name of protest be curbed, and a handful of mischief mongering people should be stopped from playing with the emotions of the peaceful Muslims.
3. The peaceful protests should not be discouraged or stopped. Rather they should be facilitated and given complete security.
4. The Government of Pakistan should immediately file a case in the International Court of Justice (it should be kept in mind that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has already offered his services to plead the case on behalf of the Muslims).

9. The participants of the conference approved the following measures at party, organizational and national levels:

1. Through peaceful rallies, seminars, and conferences, the pressure should be brought to bear upon the government to go beyond mere statements and observance of Day of Love of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for one day to play its effective role at the OIC and the UN levels.
2. It was decided that October 5, Friday, will be observed as “Youm-e-Azamat-e-Mustafa (pbuh)” and peaceful rallies, seminars and workshops should be held to mark the day.
3. All parties, institutions and organizations will write letters to the international leaders to undertake legislation on respect of religions and holy personages.
4. Banners and posters bearing slogans regarding Azamat-e-Mustafa (pbuh) will be placed around the country.

10. The participants of the conference agreed to the following code of conduct for the rallies and protest demonstrations:

1. Protest rallies and demonstrations would be kept peaceful in the light of teachings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).
2. The protection of life and public and private property during demonstrations will be ensured at all costs.
3. Extremist, banned outfits and mischief mongering elements will not be allowed to take part in the protest demonstrations.
4. Hate spewing speeches will not be allowed during the rallies, nor will any slogans raised against any sect, religion or nation.
5. Foreign embassies and diplomatic establishments will be fully protected from any harm and flag of any state will not be put on fire.
6. Love for the Prophet will be instilled in the hearts of the people, his life conduct will be told to the public, and the exaltedness of his mention “And We exalted for you your remembrance” will be highlighted.

Speeches:

Addressing the participants of “Azamat-e-Mustafa Conference (pbuh)”, Governor Punjab Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa said: “Those who made the insulting film are the worst enemies of the humanity as they have threatened the world peace. The Muslim Umma must strengthen its economic and political position and lead their lives according to the Islamic teachings. He said hat Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, at this critical juncture, has discharged his responsibility by leading the Muslim Ummah. The peaceful rallies of Minhaj-ul-Quran International have improved the image of the Pakistani nation. The services of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri are praiseworthy.

He said that the followers of Islam believe in peace and harmony; the guide of the humanity, our Prophet (SAW), was a torch-bearer for the whole human race. The Muslims believe in the veneration of the Prophets, Moses, Jesus and one hundred twenty-four thousand Prophets of Allah. The western world should also show veneration to all the Messengers of Allah.

In his speech on the occasion, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, said that those who generate hatred between different sections of society are the worst foes of humanity. To counter them, the rulers of the Muslim world need to pool their efforts and resources.

Distinguished lawyer S M Zafar said that emotional love with the Prophet (SAW0 is the part of faith of every Muslim. He said that the protests of the Muslims should be peaceful. On this occasion, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has provided ideological and practical guidance to the Muslim Ummah. The need of the hour is to serve humanity by rising above religious rigidity.

Leader of Muslim League (N) Ahsan Iqbal appreciated the services of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri. He said that the love of the Prophet (SAW) demands that the Muslims acquire education and master know-how of technology. Political and economic stability are the best means of expression of one’s love of the Prophet and his veneration. He said that it is by demonstrating their deep love and respect for the beloved Prophet (SAW) that 1.5 billion Muslims can respond to handful of evil characters who want to impose their narrow minded agenda on peaceful majority.

Media Coverage

Daily Nation