Lahore: Pakistan-based terror outfit JuD has
asked the country`s courts to decide the case of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer`s assassin in line with the `Shariah` or Islamic law and "sentiments of Muslims".
Jamaat-ud-Dawah leader Maulana Amir Hamza, who is
convener of Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool that has been opposing
any move to amend the controversial blasphemy law, also hailed
the clerics who refused to lead the funeral prayer of Taseer.
Taseer, the Governor of Pakistan`s most populous province
of Punjab and senior PPP leader, was gunned down by his
extremist bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri at a posh market in the heart
of Islamabad on Tuesday for opposing the blasphemy law.
Hamza asked courts to decide the case of Qadri in
accordance with the Islamic law and the "sentiments of
Muslims" of the country.
"The courts must respect our sentiments," he said in a
statement.
The clerics, who refused to lead Taseer`s funeral prayer
on Wednesday, had proved that they had great respect for the
Prophet Mohammad, Hamza said. "God will reward you (clerics)
for your brave act," he said.
After an influential grouping of scholars and clerics of
the Barelvi school of thought asked Muslims not to offer or
lead the funeral prayer for Taseer, the clerics of three
mosques in Lahore, including the one at the Governor`s House,
refused to lead the `namaz-e-janaza`.
The prayer was finally led by a member of the PPP`s
clerics` wing.
Hamza also criticised the US and European countries for
condemning the murder of Taseer.
The JuD leader also warned PPP lawmaker Sherry Rehman to
immediately withdraw a private bill submitted to Parliament to
amend the blasphemy law.
He made it clear that "no one can think of changing the
blasphemy law".
Blaming Taseer for his death, Hamza questioned why the
Governor had sought clemency from President Asif Ali Zardari
for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for
allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed.
"We want to tell everyone that there can be no debate on
the blasphemy law," said Hamza of JuD, which is blamed for the
2008 Mumbai attacks.
PTI
