Pak religious groups to seek global law against blasphemy

The decision to contact the UN and envoys from Muslims and non-Muslim states was made at a meeting of clerics belonging to the JuD, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Tanzeem-e-Islami, Markaz-e-Ahlesunnat, Muslim Conference, Jamat-e-Ahlehadis, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Pakistan Ulema Council and International Katham-e-Nabuwat.

The meeting, held yesterday at the JuD's headquarters Markaz Alqaadsia in Chawburji, was presided over by JuD chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed.

"The ambassadors of Muslim and non-Muslim states will be told that blasphemy against prophets not only hurts the feelings of one religion but also sows a seed of hatred against the people of other religions," the meeting observed.

The UN and envoys will be asked to support the enactment of an international law against blasphemy and the move to award the death penalty to violators, the meeting decided.

"Leaders of the ruling as well as of the opposition parties will also be called for their support," the meeting decided.

Speaking on the occasion, Saeed asked the Muslim world to unite, introduce its own currency and develop a joint defence system.

The Muslim world should also spend the income from oil and other resources on the defence of Muslims, he said.

"It is shameful that our rulers and opposition are not playing their due role to register the protest of the nation with the US and other countries over the posting of blasphemous cartoons on (Facebook)," Saeed said and demanded a permanent ban on Facebook.

His comments follow Pakistan's recent move to cut off access to social networking website Facebook till May 31 over a page featuring blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.

"All Muslim countries should put pressure on the UN to pass a law with death penalty for those committing blasphemy," Saeed said.

He asked Muslims to boycott the products of those countries where blasphemous cartoons were published.

The meeting also decided to hold a public meeting in Islamabad against profane caricatures. Top leaders of almost all religious and religio-political parties will address this meeting.

There was also consensus that the groups should continue to hold public meetings and seminars and use other means to mobilise the people against "profanity."