Srinagar, Mar 20: Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Tuesday strongly condemned the murderous attack on noted religious personality Peer Jalal-ud-Din by unidentified gunmen, terming the assailants as bitter enemies of Islam and Kashmiris’ freedom struggle.
 “If the attack on Jalal-ud-Din has carried out as a result of maslaki (sectarian) differences or group strife, then the matter is all the more serious and unfortunate. The perpetrators of this heinous act are the enemies of Islam and ongoing freedom struggle,” said Geelani in a statement today, praying for the speedy recovery of Jalal-ud-Din who is battling for life at SKIMS, Soura, after having been shot at and injured grievously by the unidentified gunmen.
 “The biggest challenge confronting the Umah today is the hatred being disseminated in the name of masalak. The anti-Islamic forces are using this weapon to the hilt to divide Muslims. These forces give scholarships to the moulvis to buy their loyalties and in turn they (moulvis) become instrumental in whipping maslaki strife among the Muslims,” said Geelani, alleging that “New Delhi and Israel have experimented successfully this weapon and now they are trying it in Jammu Kashmir.”
 The Hurriyat (G) Chairman said these ‘scholarship paid’ moulvis were allegedly issuing Futawa (religious decrees) of irreligiousness and Kufr against all the people other than those belonging to their own group.
 “More often than not, the illiterate and ignorant persons are provoked and pitted against people of other maslaks by these vested interests. They do not tolerate the existence of the people of other maslaks and group,” he said, adding that Peer Jalal-ud-Din seems to have become the victim of the same thing and some ignorant extremists might have made him the target.
 “I personally feel grieved due to this undesirable incident. Had I not been under house arrest, I would also visit the hospital to enquire about his health,” said Geelani, appealing to the pro-freedom youth to try to delve deep into this matter and cooperate in exposing the criminals involved in it.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST