KARACHI, Aug 6: Founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain on Saturday lashed out at hypocrites and extremist religio-political forces and asked people to overwhelmingly reject ‘mullahs’ in the upcoming local body elections so that jihadi outfits could be banished from Sindh for good.

Telephonically addressing a rally of party workers in North Nazimabad and Memon Goth, Gadap, which was attended by a large number of MQM supporters, Mr Hussain also directly criticized the Jamaat-i-Islami and declared that if the so-called mullahs tried to disrupt peace and plunge Sindh into a vicious cycle of terrorism, then MQM workers would come out in full strength to confront them.

Mr Hussain pointed out that the JI was among those parties which had opposed Pakistan but was now portraying itself to be its biggest champion. Mr Hussain alleged that these elements were conspiring to disrupt peace and harmony by fomenting sectarian hatred which was against the teachings of Islam. He equated them with those hypocrites who, during the days of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), used to sport long beards and pretended to be more pious. But in fact they were “munafiq” and undermined the fraternity.

He alleged that religious and extremist parties were conspiring to bring Karachi under the control of jihadis as they had done so in the NWFP, so that they could impose unconstitutional and un-Islamic laws.

He alleged that the mullahs were not advocating jihad but encouraging infidelity. These elements were preaching hatred instead of amity, compassion and respect for each other’s faith and belief.

He said that the Prophet (PBUH) liked moderation and when He realized that a group would cause problem and had established its own mosque called Masjid-i-Zarrar, the Prophet told his companions not to be misled by pretensions and appearance.

Mr Hussain was of the view that during the Pakistan movement the British conspired and encouraged establishment of madressahs of different schools of thought which encouraged Muslims to only seek religious education. They prevented them from acquiring knowledge of science and other modern disciplines.

He said this was a negation of the Prophet’s advice to travel as far afield as China in search of knowledge.