Pakistani cleric's roots lie in Lucknow

Canada-based cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, who created waves in Pakistan by challenging the present political and electoral system in the country, has his roots in the state capital. He had even visited the city last year.

Qadri’s father, who had arrived here in 1929, had spent 10 years in the city and studied at the Tibbiya college. He also went to the prestigious Islamic seminary at Fiarangimahal here and cleared the examination of “Alamiyat,” the equivalent to high school. According to Muslim clerics here, Qadri, during his stay here, had visited the old city where his father had stayed.

Known to be a moderate, the cleric had then talked about peace and denounced extremism.
Clerics here, who had met Qadri then, said the issues raised by him were very important, not only politically, but also for Islam. They described him as a staunch supporter of democracy who believes that there is no room for terrorism and corruption in Islam.

Liberal tag

“Maulana Qadri’s concept of Islam is very important for Muslims across the world. It assumes more importance because a cleric from Pakistan has dared to denounce terrorism and corruption there for the first time,” senior Sunni cleric and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahali, said here.

Firangimahali said Qadri’s campaign will have a positive impact, not only on Pakistan but also on India. “The way he has taken on the terrorists and mobilised public opinion will certainly impact Pakistan and its relations with India,” Firangimahali told Deccan Herald.