Srinagar, Apr 8: The killing of Jamaiat-Ahl-hadith president Moulana Showkat Ahmed Shah, killed in an IED explosion at Maisuma in Srinagar on Friday, evoked widespread condemnation from mainstream politicians 
 The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah termed killing of Moulana Showkat as a great loss to the society. “Those responsible for the crime have exhibited their inhuman behaviour towards the civil society and the innocents. I convey my earnest sympathies to the bereaved family and express deep sorrow over the loss of precious human life in the blast,” the Chief Minister said in a statement. 
 The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Moulana Showkat’s killing has created a void in the religious circles which is impossible to fill. 
 “Shah's killing is against the teachings of Islam. He was working for the propagation of Islam and welfare of the people," he added.
 The PDP Patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and President Mehbooba Mufti said Moulana Showkat’s killing had created a void in the society. “Moulana was engaged in conduct and pursuit of religious instruction and his departure would be felt by the entire society at large. The attack against Moulana comes at a time when the society in Kashmir is fighting a grim battle for their rights and have strongly rejected violence as a means to achieve political goals. The murder is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of the situation in Kashmir and attempts at subverting the political and peaceful methods adopted by the people over the past several years for demanding their rights,” they said.
 “No words could be sufficient to compensate the loss. The killing is another painful addition to the larger Kashmir tragedy,” they added. 
 Among others who condemned the killing include party general secretary Muhammed Dilawar Mir and senior leaders Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Naeem Akhter, Ab Rehman Veeri, Mohd Sartaj Madni, Muhammad Khalil Bandh, Ab Razaq Zawoora, Syed Bashir Ahmed, Ab Haq Khan, Muhammad Rafi Mir.
 The Chairman of Democratic Nationalist Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir, expressed deep shock over Moulana’s killing and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. “It is an inhuman act,” he said. “ Words are not enough to condemn such a gruesome act.”   
 Former Union minister and president of the state unit of Congress, Saif-ud-din Soz said, “the killers have shown yet another time their intolerance towards different point of views. All those people who believe in freedom of expression must be feeling sad that there are elements in Kashmir, who use violence as a tool to settle political issues and this cult deserves condemnation from the civil society," he said.
 Senior Congress Leader and MLC Abdul Gani Vakil while condemning the killing said the nation has lost a religious luminary. “Moulana Showkat’s contribution in the religious field as well as in the creation of peaceful atmosphere in the state is immense and unforgettable. I demand high level probe in the unfortunate incident and stressed upon the Government that whosoever is involved in this brutal killing should be brought to book at the earliest,” he said.
 The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon,  Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul, Chairman People's Democratic Front Hakim Muhammad Yasin also condemned the killing.
 “The killing is a heinous and barbaric act. This unfortunate death is a big tragedy for all the people as the religious luminary was a highly respected in the society.  Words fail to condemn this barbaric murder.  Only enemies of Kashmir and its people benefit from such heinous acts. We join millions of mourners in this hour of grief and appeal to the people to raise their voice against the perpetrators,” the CPI (M) State Secretary,  M.Y.Tarigami said in a statement.
 The Employees’ Joint Action Committee (Q) president Abdul Qayoom Wani has expressed his shock and outrage over the killing, terming it highly reprehensible act. “In the killing of Moulana Showakat we have been deprived of great leader and religious scholar,” he said. Wani has prayed for the martyred leader and expressed solidarity with his family.
 The president of Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti Sanjay K. Tickoo termed Moulana’s killing as a cowardly act.
 “His killing will be written as one of the black days in the history of Kashmir when such a refined and great Ulema of Kashmir got killed. We urge the State and Central Government to book the culprits who are behind this heinous act,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST