Could there be a Red Mosque revolution?
| 15:44 UK time, Monday, 9 July 2007
We talked about in Islamabad last week, and we returned to it in detail on Monday. The news wires reported that a team of hostage negotiators had been put together by the Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, but whether those inside of the mosque are in the mood to talk is another matter.
The Mosque leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi has said he and his students would rather die as martyrs than surrender, and that their deaths will inspire an Islamic revolution. Of course, some on the outside are suggesting that he is holding women and children against their will.
With protests in at least one city featuring crowds counted in the thousands, we asked whether Abdul Rashid Ghazi is right? Des he and his radical Mosque have enough support around Pakistan to seriously threaten General Musharraf's authority?
Muhammad Asim Munir
Gujranwala, Pakistan
With protests in at least one city featuring crowds counted in the thousands, is Abdul Rashid Ghazi right?
No! He isn't right. He is cleverly fighting for occupied land, worth millions, in the guise of religion.
Do he and his radical Mosque have enough support around Pakistan to seriously threaten General Musharraf's authority?
No! His supporters can do few suicide attacks or bomb attacks and they have done so already, however, the issue will cool down with the passage of time as there is no deep rooted support for him across the country.
Kimberly in California asked:
What will happen if Islamic clerics take control of Pakistan's military and NUCLEAR WEAPONS? Will they be used on India? Sold to Iran?
Kalypso-vienna in Austria wrote
These people should stop the fighting and blood shed. Peace to the middle east. May God give them wisdom.
They peace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.
Steve in the USA wrote
I think eventually Pakistan will have an Islamic revolution, though this may or may not be the beginning of it. What is clear is that for the sake of humanity, Musharaff should give up Pakistan's nuclear weapons so that when the Islamists take over, they cannot get their hands on them, otherwise people who live in major cities in the the west can kiss their behinds goodbye.
M Jackson in Portland, Oregon:
I believe that Islamists occupying the Red Mosque are a cult at the heart of the Muslim faith.
The vast majority of Muslims want to live in harmony with the West. But first these fanatics must be destroyed. They won't change, they are "true believers," and believe that it the world must live according to their rules, or they will kill us... or themselves. It is time for them to meet their maker.
Jason in Portland, Oregon
If these people refuse to come out of the red mosque, then lets keep them in. Brick up the doors & windows. Disconnect all water & power.
Samir in Zanzibar:
The politics and islam in pakistan will never reconcile till the one in power is negated from usa politics
Ken in Cleveland
Do the students involved in the Red Mosque situation have a commonality in their studies? Did any of them share the same course schedules or professors?
Lubna, in Baghdad wrote:
I do think that repression creates extremists! If Musharaf leaves,then extremists will go with him! Pakistan needs democracy!
Rex in Malawi:
Extremists give Islam a bad name. I dont know why they get involved in suicide bombing and other acts of terror.
PETER CHINTHULI MALAWI
Frankly, Pakistan required a civilian leader yesterday, needless to mention the Mosque crisis is an apparent agitation for the same.
SULAIMAN from NIGERIA wrote
Musharraf is bringing the downfall of his administration if he attacks the mosque.
MOHAMED AHMED MANSOUR in MONROVIA.
THE PAKISTANI GOVT SHOULD RESOLVE THE CONFLICT WITH LOVE NOT FORCE.
Atsu from Accra in Ghana:
The world should stop deceiving itself-pakistan is already a defacto islamic state.
Mohammed Ali in Liberia:
You fanatic Islamists, pls allow the Pakistanis to live in peace. What you are doing is not in the name of Islam.
Annonymous wrote:
I suppose other would-be renegade Moslems within & outside Pakistan are curiously watching this mosque saga.
Chizoba in Edo State, Nigeria.
The action of the Pakistan govt about the Red Mosque is the best approach because the students are armed and radical.
Annonymous texted us to say:
What we're witnessing 4 the last 10 yrs of Islamic global fundamentalists 2 conquer the world Salmin Rushdie is a great thinker
Kimutai Cherono in Nairobi, Kenya:
By polarising opinions the media is playing into the hands of the extremists. We forget that we have a dictator fighting to stay in power versus those who are using religion as a facade for their own ends.
Adam Azare in Nigeria:
Muslims dont need Iran or Alqaeda to react to persecution, what happens to any muslim is of concern to all muslims.
Oliver Kiptanui in Mombasa, Kenya:
I would like to know where and how those held up in the mosque get their supplies like food and other necessities now that they're under siege?
Sulayman Dauda in Kaduna
Is president Pervez psychologicaly feet? He's throwing Pakistan into what is happening in Iraq. We must avoid that.
MIKE IN KAMPALA UGANDA
GENERAL MUSRAF JUST DONT TOLERATE TERRORISTS HIT THEM ONCE AND 4 ALL.
ALUMA ALI from UGANDA
If Pervez thinks the ocupants re all extrimists let him blow the red mosque but be ready to face Islamic revolution
Annonymous wrote:
MURSHARAF IS AN AMERICAN STOOGE. HE IS THE PROBLEM.
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That's it for today. Speak to you later.
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