ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri on Wednesday lashed out at the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for accusing the government of conspiring to soften blasphemy laws and recognise Israel.

“Nobody should consider himself a better Muslim. If the maulana has studied Quran and Sunnah in madressah, I have not been learning ‘Granth’ in the madressah,” Mr Qadri said adding, “How can you say that you are a better Muslim than me?”

Addressing a press conference here, the minister criticised the JUI-F leadership for manipulating politics for his ‘vested interest’.

“Using a religious card for political gain is not the right thing to do,” the minister deplored. He said the JUI-F leaders were repeatedly accusing Prime Minister Imran Khan of conspiring to recognise Israel and softening the blasphemy laws.

“Since the sit-in organisers have no serious political issues, they are hurling baseless accusation on the government. I will request Fazalur Rehman sahib at least not to politicise Namoos-i-Risalat,” the minister said.

Pir Noorul Qadri made it clear that the government had no plan to amend the blasphemy laws.

“We all and the prime minister are faithful believers of Islam and believe in utmost respect and affection for the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, that is why we are all striving for Riasat-i-Madina (state of Madina).

He said the speech made by Prime Minister Imran Khan at the UN General Assembly was the best description of Muslims’ faith and affection for the Prophet and the “West needed to understand our sentiments”.

The minister said the prime minister covered Islamophobia in the best possible way that had never been addressed in such a way before.

With regard to blaming the government for conspiring to recognise Israel, the minister said: “If you have any proof, bring it to any forum including media.”

“How can you claim that if you had not resisted, Israeli flags would have been fluttering in Islamabad,” Mr Qadri added.

He made it clear that the PTI was not a typical religious party that sought votes in the name of Islam, but still it had taken upon itself to establish ‘state of Madina’ in Pakistan.

The government was arranging Seerat conference on Rabiul Awwal 12, which would be participated by scholars from several Islamic countries. They will present papers regarding parameters for Riasat–i-Madina.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2019