Mass murder of Ismailis in Karachi upsets progressive group of Pakistani Canadians

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      The Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians has offered condolences in response to a recent slaughter of Ismaili Muslims in Karachi.

      The group, which promotes the separation of state and religion, has issued a statement that any Pakistani military officer or civilian who assists terrorist-fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban, Tehrik-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan, Jundullah, or others "should be prosecuted and all assistance to them and fundamentalist schools from the Saudis and the Gulf Emirates should be ended".

      Pakistani police arrested 145 people in connection with the murder of at least 45 people in Pakistan's largest city on May 13.

      According to a BBC report, up to 90 of those who were arrested were from a madrassa (a religious school).

      It's being viewed around the world as a senseless attack on a peaceful community. Ismailis are a sect of Shia Islam that is united in their allegiance to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.

      Notable Canadian Ismailis include Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, B.C. senator Mobina Jaffer, and former Ballard Power Systems CEO Firoz Rasul, who's now president of the Aga Khan University.

      There will be a protest this evening outside the Pakistani consulate in Toronto. There's no word yet on whether any actions will be taken in the Vancouver area.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Dr Jack

      May 17, 2015 at 6:03pm

      Isn't it a religion of peace???

      Or of "pieces of human flesh", the way the peace loving Ismailis were slaughtered in plain daylight!!

      PS. I have dozens of great Ismailis friends, been to many of their mosques and celebrations around the city.

      Wonderful people!!

      Mahmoud S. Aziz

      May 19, 2015 at 3:11pm

      Dr. Jack, thank you for your kind statement on the vicious, senseless and barbaric slaughter of 49 Isma'ilis in Karachi and and your generous comments on our Isma'ili Muslim community. The peaceful, inclusive, pluralistic and philanthropic nature of the Ismai'ili Muslims are enshrined in Islam and validates that Islam, like all other religions, preaches tolerance and peace. Regretfully, a small number of the followers of these religions do not properly understand the essence of their religions and, consequently, react with fanatic and extremist fervour. The Holy Qur'an calls such people, who purport to believe and yet do not behave and practise according to the tenets of their religion, Munafiqeen (hypocrites). Such is the nature of these Taliban, ISIS, Jundullah, Lashkar-e-janghvi and al-Qaeda terrorists. They are but cowards who brazenly target and slaughter unarmed people, including women and children, violating the very basic tenets of Islam. They cower in fear against armed opponents.

      Janu German

      May 20, 2015 at 5:21pm

      I believe this problem in that region is derived much more from political Instability, socio-economic apathy and cultural backwardness not only in masses but in the governmental organizations including law enforcerment/security aparatuses and military, even at a level where state soveriegnity is pummeled left and right, than from the principles of the original faith of those people. They are simply misinterpreted, most likely knowingly, by a small minority and are supported by regional and international elements for Ideological but mainly power, political and economic interests. It all started in early 1970's and excerbated afterwards...