KARACHI, Dec 14: Ban on Tehreek-i-Islami and arrest of Shia leader Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi, is aimed at harming Muslim unity in general, and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal in particular, besides creating a crisis by provoking Shia community.

These views were expressed by speakers at the All Sindh Shia Ulema Convention, held on Sunday under the auspices of the Shia Ulema Council.

Ayatollah Syed Hafiz Riaz Hussain Naqvi, chief of the council, said that Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi was the front leader working for sectarian unity and his arrest was a conspiracy to devide the Muslims, which would be foiled by effective strategy.

Allama Ghulam Ali Wazeeri said arrest of Allama Naqvi was an attempt to sabotage the on going MMA-government talks.

Allama Hasan Turabi said that the country, already facing internal and external threats, could not afford more discord and disturbances, therefore the government should release the Shia leader.

Others who spoke at the convention included, Shaikh Mohsin Ali Najfi, Allama Syed Fayyaz Hussain Naqvi and Prof Ali Raza Naqvi.