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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf on Wednesday suspended Mufti Abdul Qavi’s membership of Ruet-i-Hilal Committee after pictures of him with model and Facebook celebrity Qandeel Baloch surfaced on social media.
The minister, who said the photos were 'controversial', also suspended the mufti’s membership in the National Ulema Mushaikh Council, a spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said.
The matter of Mufti Abdul Qavi's photos has been referred to National Ulema Mushaikh Council for further procedure, the spokesperson added.
"Qavi will not be allowed to attend meetings of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee and National Ulema Mushaikh Council until further orders. Mufti Qavi's fate will be decided after the opinion of the National Ulema Mushaikh Council regarding his selfies and behavior," the spokesman said.
On Monday, Pakistan's infamous social media sensation Qandeel Baloch uploaded selfies on her Facebook and Twitter accounts with Mufti Abdul Qavi, which went viral.
Ever since Qavi's pictures with Baloch surfaced, social media was rife with speculation about his association with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) ulema wing. However, PTI spokesman Naeemul Haque issued a denial on Tuesday.
Talking to DawnNews, Qavi said it was Baloch herself who had requested a meeting and came to meet him at a hotel. He also said he was unaware of his suspension from the two committees.
In a video of the meeting that Baloch uploaded on Facebook, Mufti Qavi can be seen saying that he will guide Baloch on spiritual and religious issues and that she had agreed to follow his instructions.
Baloch shot to fame in Pakistan in 2014 after a video of her pouting for the camera and asking "How em looking?" went viral.
The Ruet-i-Hilal Committee is responsible for sighting the new moon to determine important dates for the Islamic lunar calendar.
The National Ulema Mushaikh Council consists of members from mainstream boards of religious seminaries belonging to Barelvi, Shia, Deobandi and Ahle Hadees schools of thought and madressahs affiliated with the Jamaat-i-Islami to evolve consensus among different sects from all provinces.
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Comments (97) Closed
Jun 22, 2016 02:38pm
If one member is like this then we can figure out about the rest of the members of the committee !
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Jun 22, 2016 02:46pm
@Khan USA it's not necessary.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:01pm
@Khan how can you blame someone without any proof. Also in the court of law they require solid proof.
This is unfair. It is very to criticize. Please careful!!!
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Jun 22, 2016 03:01pm
I do not understand why as a society we subject the ulema/scholars etc to different standards then we do to ourselves
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Jun 22, 2016 03:01pm
molvi hasnt done anything wrong...for God Sake.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:06pm
Who said we are fundamentalist , have primitive life style. We are fun loving people , love and enjoy beautiful company.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:06pm
Dear u can't blame rest of the people because of this person
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Jun 22, 2016 03:06pm
@Khan USA I think audit on all government official's education should be checked and posted on the internet.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:11pm
Good to hear the news
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Jun 22, 2016 03:12pm
This picture has been photoshopped.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:15pm
The mufti has only taken a photo with a charming lady......what is wrong with that?
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Jun 22, 2016 03:18pm
I salute QB on exposing Mufti saab.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:23pm
Another popularity stunt to get a few seconds of fame.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:26pm
Ask the Mufti Sahib, we should give him a chance to explain, but I still think this has been photoshopped.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:26pm
its good he is no more member of committee.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:27pm
Intimidation, over reaction by the ministry.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:32pm
I don't get it. What is the big deal?
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Jun 22, 2016 03:35pm
@Khan USA no u cant ... u cannot blame everyone for someone's individual act.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:37pm
@Bilal i am sorry but i do disagree with u . he is a mufti and suppose to be a role model for us
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Jun 22, 2016 03:38pm
Is not it a great opportunity to replace this moulvi with a well programmed computer to calculate moon's position over Pakistan?That way we can kill two birds with one emotionless machine-two issues resolved.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:38pm
How can this affect his moon sighting ability he shouldn't be suspended from halal committee.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:39pm
How does this affect his ability to sight the moon?
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Jun 22, 2016 03:38pm
@IBN E ASHFAQUE don't comment on issues u dont have anything idea about . pls thats my request to u
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Jun 22, 2016 03:41pm
@Fahd You can't figure it out while sitting in USA.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:41pm
Not a surprise it is usual with these people for their fame in the public.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:44pm
@Rana if its photoshopped how come the Mufti sahab did not clarify his position. he has accepted that she was with him. so stop giving ur comments . thanks
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Jun 22, 2016 03:46pm
Ruet-i-Hilal Committee did good thing to suspended his membership, he is most controversial person.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:49pm
They are all the same. Anyone with the "maulana" title needs to be judged by what they do and NOT by what they say. We have seen too many of these "maulanas" who are as corrupt and sleazy as most people in power in Pakistan.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:51pm
I am no fan of free folks (aka muftis) but we should be tolerant enough for him to explain his actions.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:52pm
As much as I despise these so called molvis and self declared muftis , I don't see what's wrong with posting a picture on Facebook with a woman who has celebrity status in Pakistan.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:53pm
@sheryaar if he has accepted then he has done nothing wrong. End of discussion.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:54pm
Is anyone surprised? Seems that all the current crop of maulvis are doing is sticking their noses where it dont belong..
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Jun 22, 2016 03:55pm
The bottom line is that the mufti sahab showed bad judgement in meeting alone with this woman. He should have met with her in a public place.
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Jun 22, 2016 03:58pm
What did he do wrong to deserve this punishment?
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Jun 22, 2016 04:09pm
Very disappointing deed from this Mufti. It will further damage Ulma's image in the views of the pubc. I strongly condemn this shamful act.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:12pm
Give him a break!!
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Jun 22, 2016 04:16pm
Absurdity is on its peak everywhere..
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Jun 22, 2016 04:19pm
@Ahmed You need to make up your own mind about the image you want to convey to the world. Dont keep contradicting yourself.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:21pm
Don't see anything wrong with this picture.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:21pm
Dig deeper into those committee members and others such as IIC and we may have lots of people
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Jun 22, 2016 04:22pm
@Fahd, why it is NOT necessary?
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Jun 22, 2016 04:24pm
We need to be a tolerant society, which is the first stepping stone for a developing nation. The fact that those who perceive these pictures are inappropriate suggests that they have a very limited vision which is worrying. If taking a selfie is a crime then I am really worried about Pakistan's future. The fashionable girl is simply taking a photo with a decently dressed man who is on his mobile. There are more things to worry about: Energy crisis, Unemployment, Terrorism, Educational etc.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:26pm
Mufti did nothing wrong.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:27pm
No reason to over react.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:34pm
In my opinion the molvi is a good person. he is not a hypocrite. he is brave enough to talk to anybody from our society and mingle around. if you draw a rigid line between the Holies and those unholies how you are going to get your message across to others. how you will get to know what our people think. I would like to call Mufti Qavi a people's molvi. well done.
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Jun 22, 2016 04:52pm
I really don't see the problem.
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Jun 22, 2016 05:02pm
@Mehmood Best answer I have seen thus far. Good critical thinking.
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Jun 22, 2016 05:07pm
Qandeel must become part of next Big Boss!
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Jun 22, 2016 05:30pm
Qandeel had nothing to loose while the poor mufti had everything on the table. It is only human to have feelings but he must have thought of his stature in personal and social life and of his responsibilities as a mufti.I am sorry to see him fall.
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Jun 22, 2016 05:45pm
Mufti sahib. I like your selfie. Nothing wrong being cool and being religious.
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Jun 22, 2016 05:58pm
The way i see it, They both are responsible for this act. We can't blame the Ex-Mufti alone. She shouldn't have gone to meet him alone in hotel. This is also illegal.
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Jun 22, 2016 06:04pm
The entire Ruet e hilal committee is nothing but a reflection of an archaic system and the members are just enjoying the privileges for doing nothing.
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Jun 22, 2016 06:19pm
Great Man with great character people should not raised unnecessary issue
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Jun 22, 2016 06:32pm
...and they guide us religion.
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Jun 22, 2016 06:39pm
Come on, whats the big deal.....
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Jun 22, 2016 06:50pm
Funny and unfortunate.. :)
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Jun 22, 2016 07:10pm
Mufti sahib is unfortunate to fall a trap. Forgive him and he wont continue with the Ruet-e-Hilal anymore.
In reality, this event may start his spiritual journey due to defamation & rejection by masses of our country. This enables a person to connect with Divinity, more than ever before.
Most harsh reactions are from those who wont miss a chance to see QB by themselves but would like to carry their images, that's different from inner-self. How can we decide of who is transparent?
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Jun 22, 2016 07:36pm
Whats the crime here?
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Jun 22, 2016 07:38pm
@Zubaida khan: Perfect point ...
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Jun 22, 2016 07:56pm
@DMDiL illegal? What is illegal about ot?
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Jun 22, 2016 08:04pm
And what is wrong here
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Jun 22, 2016 08:20pm
please inquire first and then make a decision or judgement
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Jun 22, 2016 09:13pm
Even if he had not done anything wrong, his action meeting with na-mahram in tkhlia is not allowed and he should be removed from all councils permanently. I have seen Mr. Qavi's another video, I have reservation on statements he makes. Do not be deceived by topi, darhi; sikhs do have big turbans and bid darhi. Also, in the mean time we should not be using same criteria to judge all scholars.
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Jun 22, 2016 09:23pm
@Bilal Only thing he did wrong was to ask her for a meeting in a hotel room where no one else was present. If he wanted to win her over to his brand of Islam he could have done that in hotel lobby or in a public gathering.
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Jun 22, 2016 10:08pm
"Mufti Qavi can be seen saying that he will guide Baloch on spiritual and religious issues and that she had agreed to follow his instructions."
I bet! She had to be in a private hotel room, alone with him to be 'guided'? No office, school, public place, or venue for such guidance??
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Jun 23, 2016 01:33am
@Fahd IT is necessary !!!
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Jun 23, 2016 05:19am
Nothing wrong here
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Jun 23, 2016 05:25am
It seems everyone busy condemning Mufti saheb. What's wrong having selfie with a charming lady. He is also a human being. It is common, it is human nature.
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Jun 23, 2016 07:28am
What's the big deal. I don't see anything troublesome with those pictures
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Jun 23, 2016 10:09am
I don't understand what wrong with taking selfies.
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Jun 23, 2016 10:11am
What is wrong with this?
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Jun 23, 2016 11:18am
J.I should promptly announce its withdrawal from Ruet Hilal pending expulsion of
this "mufti "
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Jun 23, 2016 11:27am
for god sake its just a picture with a model, what's wrong in it?
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Jun 23, 2016 11:36am
I don't see molvi sahib has done any thing wrong,
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Jun 23, 2016 12:11pm
The question still persists. WHY? It was just a pic that too without any vulgarity.
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Jun 23, 2016 12:20pm
So what does this picture prove ?
Especially when the picture is not being taken by the maulana...
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Jun 23, 2016 01:33pm
@Mehmood since when moon sighting is the job of mullahs? Why are they involved in this scientific procedure? Absolutely useless committee.
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Jun 23, 2016 01:54pm
What did wrong this person I can't understand!!! I read the overall post but didn't figure out where is the problem.
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Jun 23, 2016 01:56pm
@Hussain USA Agreed same thing I want to ask from everybody who criticize for this simple picture.
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Jun 23, 2016 03:16pm
@KN... wonder!!!! than why did he get fired
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Jun 23, 2016 06:12pm
Come on ppl tell me if any of u never laid eyes on women . If he is just cleric he is not human . First we see our selves and than point fingures at other .
Ya its wrong doing these acts but see wat u do in your self. If you never done any such thing in your life than point fingures.
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Jun 23, 2016 07:03pm
Not that there is anything wrong with it. The problem is with their double standards. These are the same people who oppose women protection bill!
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Jun 23, 2016 07:09pm
Shameful & disgraceful act by a person who calls himself a cleric. He chose to go very low. He has set a very bad example good clerics will face taunts
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Jun 23, 2016 07:16pm
What is wrong with this picture? He is a man, she is a woman and they are not doing something bad. Taking a selfie is always fine. I can show you many learned people, scholars photographed with ladies.
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Jun 23, 2016 08:20pm
@Bilal Well it seems clear from the picture that He has submitted to her whims by giving her his cap and let her abuse it by making a funny face.
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Jun 23, 2016 09:16pm
Molvi are not less than anyone.
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Jun 23, 2016 09:17pm
Ibne Insha had written in his famous poem: Some said, it is a moon; others said, no, it is your face. Maybe the maulvi saheb was confused similarly. Ruet-i-hilal committee ('Moon-sighting committee) should give him the benefit of doubt. By the way, there is nothing wrong with the picture. Somehow people have assumed that a religious person should not have a company of beautiful women.
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Jun 23, 2016 09:30pm
Why there is so much hue and cry? Whats wrong if a girl meets a molvi at his residence with camera? Is it any sin?
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Jun 24, 2016 02:33am
well, we all know when it comes to hypocrisy, most Mullahs are the champs !!!
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Jun 24, 2016 04:45am
There are a lot of other problems in our country, if someone does something wrong he should be punish and not the others. More over this lady does not care about her decency at all. Please do not blame all the ulemas in this cheap issue.
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Jun 24, 2016 01:50pm
Who clicked it (a) he or (b) she? I think she must also be rebuked if not punished to be photographed with him so that both are punished but one sided punishment is objected by me at least. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmail.com
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Jun 24, 2016 04:03pm
We should not considering him as a Mufti anymore. He lost his intellect and he will spoil others too it is better to keep him away from Islamic issues.
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Jun 24, 2016 07:56pm
Even suspension is fine with him, he don't care,
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Jun 24, 2016 08:52pm
What's wrong with the picture... The man is talking on a phone, and this lady has picked up his head gear and shot a selfie...
Can't use this picture to judge him at fault..
The people blaming him are projecting what's in their mind, in order to judge him (hotel room.. personal meeting... etc). Need to clean their own mind.
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Jun 24, 2016 11:14pm
@Umair: They have to meet higher standards of conduct because they set moral codes for all other Pakistanis!
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Jun 24, 2016 11:33pm
We feel blessed to have Ulma of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan.
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Jun 25, 2016 12:49am
You guys keep going in circles and wonder, look, validate and set up committees on moon sighting while we launch satellites, and land at moon and beyond.
You keep inventing new ways to justify your hypocrisies while we educate our masses, enlarge our middle class, improve our economy and solve our problems.
You keep demanding Kashmir without giving basic human rights to the populace you already have and we take advantage of your leader's mistakes and take advantage of the treaties (so called Indus Water Treaty) they willfully signed giving us enormous rights on your natural resources (water).
I say good luck to you. One day we will be able to welcome your citizens with "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free".
A friendly reminder.
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