The controversial Lal Masjid and its extremist firebrand maulana Abdul Aziz are back in the news – this time in defence of the Taliban flag.
In a viral video, Aziz threatened policemen who arrived at Jamia Hafsa, a women’s madrasa, in Islamabad to remove the flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Red Mosque's Maulana Abdul Aziz is threatening policemen with violence who have come to remove Afghan Taliban flag from Jamia Hafsa. #Islamabad #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/D17kB6nMWI
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) September 18, 2021
In the clip circulating on social media, the cleric can be heard telling the policemen that ‘Pakistan’s Taliban’ will not spare them. He went on to suggest that they must leave their jobs if this is what they are expected to do. “Iss naukri ko chhodo… Allah aur achhi naukriyan dega,” he said.
The malulana and his collaborators have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and different sections of Pakistan Penal Code.
In another set of pictures, Aziz can be seen holding a rifle while sitting outside the madrasa. Scores of women were seen around and on Jamia Hafsa’s terrace amid the commotion.
Scenes outside Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad after policemen arrived at the seminary to remove Afghan Taliban's flag from its rooftop. Red Mosque's Maulana Abdul Aziz can be seen carrying a weapon pic.twitter.com/jkJ8XH5R1v
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) September 18, 2021
This act of defiance by Aziz left some wondering about his allegiance.
Maulana Abdul Aziz of Red Mosque (Lal Masjid), Islamabad equipped.
Is he right⁉️ Are you people support Islamic Emirate in Pakistan⁉️ pic.twitter.com/4nLpFw2oKu
— Syed Hashmi (@syedhashmi4t5) September 18, 2021
And the fact that Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid is out with guns again shows a real boost in their morale. https://t.co/f53YO0mt4L https://t.co/qVZ5bM3pzb
— Saleem Javed (@mSaleemJaved) September 18, 2021
Hours after the news spread, the flags were taken down. The Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad Hamza Shafqat reportedly said a case has been registered against the Maulana “after he hoisted the Afghan Taliban flags” on the madrasa’s rooftop.
Afghan Taliban flags have been removed from Lal Masjid Iinked Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/ctkgeXOqjb
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) September 18, 2021
Also read: Pakistani Salafi clerics are upset with Taliban after Imam killing and mosque-closing spree
Not the first for Jamia Hafsa
Jamia Hafsa’s tryst with the Taliban is not a new occurrence. Earlier in August this year, Taliban flags were seen atop the madrasa, and cleric Aziz had declared to hold shariah and Fateh Mubarak conference in the red mosque.
However, the flags were taken down by the city administration. Shafqat had said that hoisting the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan flag was prohibited.
Was removed there and then https://t.co/LXwbZDT2mf
— Office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) August 20, 2021
Significance of Lal Masjid
In 2007, under former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, over 100 people were killed during a military operation with Lal Masjid being the ground zero of confrontation between the Taliban and the Pakistani government.
Maulana Aziz, whose mother and brother were killed in the operation, was arrested after the siege of the mosque. He was released in April 2009. He had requested a pardon for all the people involved in the operation, including Musharraf.
Many critics believe that the 2007 military operation gave birth to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Two days ago, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the Imran Khan government would be willing to pardon TTP members if they pledge to not indulge in terror activities.
(Edited by Prashant)