ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has barred 12 clerics from delivering speeches and sermons at public gathering.

The entry of 15 other ulema in the capital city has also been banned for two months.

According to officials in the capital administration, Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed took the decision in response to reports submitted to him by the police Special Branch.

They said the clerics were known for their provocative speeches which might lead to sectarian hatred among people of different schools of thought during Muharram.

Five of the clerics belonged to the Deoband, five Shia and two to the Barelvi schools of thought.

The ulema of the Deobandi school of thought are: Maulana Abdul Razzaq Haideri, Khateeb Masjid Abdullah bin Masood G-9; Qari Ahsanullah, Khateeb Masjid Qasmia, F-8/3; Maulana Nazir Ahmed Farooqi, Khateeb Masjid Khulfa-i-Rashideen, G-9/2; Maulana Abdul Aziz, Khateeb Lal Masjid, G-6; Maulana Abdul Rahman Muavia, secretary general Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Rahmani Masjid Aabpara.

12 ulema barred from delivering sermons, 15 others ordered not to enter capital for two months

The Shia ulema are: Sheikh Mohsin Ali Najfi, principal Jamia Ahl-i-Bait, Sheikh Agha Shifa Najfi, Khateeb Jamia Imam Sadiq, G-9/2; Allama Basharat Imami, Khateeb Jamia Masjid Khadijatul Kubra, Tarlai Kalan; Allama Ameen Shahedi, deputy secretary general Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, and Allama Bashir Abbas Jafri, secretary general MWM.

The Barelvi clerics are: Maulana Zafar Iqbal Jalali, chairman Ittehad Ali and Khateeb Noor-i-Madina, I-8/4, and Maulana Liaquat Ali Rizvi, Sunni Tehreek Masjid Barma Town.

Similarly, in response to another Special Branch report, the deputy commissioner directed the 15 ulema - nine from the Deoband and six from Shia schools of thought - not to enter, reside or remain in the revenue limits of district Islamabad for a period of two months.

The officials said according to Special Branch reports, the 15 ulema were in the habit of making objectionable and fiery speeches on sectarian issues.

The ulema of Deoband school of thought are: Hafiz Mohammad Sadique, Wah Cantonment; Allama Tahir Ashraf, president ASWJ Lahore; Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Ghumman, Sargodha; Mohammad Muavia Azam, vice president ASWJ Punjab; Maulana Abdul Majeed Nadeem, Khateeb Masjid Al Furqania, Rawalpindi; Maulana Abdul Khaliq Rehmani, former president Sipah-i-Sahaba Kabeerwala Punjab; Maulana Masoodul Rehman Usmani, deputy secretary general ASWJ; Dr Khadim Dehloo, secretary general ASWJ Khanewal, and Maulana Aurangzaib Farooqi, central leader ASWJ Karachi.

The six ulema from Shia school of thought are: Allama Ghazanfar Taunsvi Bahawalpur, Allama Jaffer Jatoi Lahore, Allama Muzaffar Hussain Najfi, Khateeb Imambargah Hussain Rawalpindi, Zakir Syed Maqbool Hassan, Chakwal, Syed Iftikhar Hassan Naqvi, Mianwali and Maulana Mohammad Iqbal, Chichawatni.

Meanwhile, 10,000 personnel of the Islamabad police and Pakistan Rangers would perform security duties during Muharram.

The capital police finalised the security arrangements for the processions and religious gatherings during Muharram and decided to launch search operations in slums to ensure foolproof security.

The security plan has been prepared keeping in view the National Action Plan (NAP). All wings of the police have been directed to ensure coordination in implementing the security plan to maintain peace in the city.

Published in Dawn, October 14th , 2015

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