The Message of the General Assembly

قاضی حسین احمد | نومبر ۲۰۰۴ | اجتماع عام

This gathering has been convened for the supremacy of Allah’s word. We intended to hold this gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan in the heart of Lahore, where the Pakistan Resolution was passed, in front of the Badshahi Mosque which stands as a symbol of Muslim glory, and where the tomb of Allama Iqbal—the thinker of Pakistan—is located. Lahore was made the center of the Islamic revolution by Maulana Maududi (رحمہ اللہ).

The residents of this city were eagerly waiting to host attendees coming from across the country, but the government, at the final moment, refused to grant permission for holding the general session. We could have proceeded despite this, but we avoided the path of confrontation, although the government had precisely planned to push us toward such a conflict. Thus, we thwarted the government’s conspiracy and decided that this gathering be held in the province where the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal achieved historic success and which played a key role in the Afghan Jihad.

Central Theme of the Gathering

The central theme of the general assembly is “وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللّٰهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ”. Allah has named us “Muslim” in all His scriptures and in the Qur’an—those who obey and submit to Allah.

We declare that the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ is sufficient for us. The Shariah implemented by the Prophet ﷺ is before us. We know well the sacrifices and struggles of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions. A complete and dominant Deen has been left for us. We are its custodians, and we shall be asked what efforts and sacrifices we made to establish this Deen.

We have been commanded to bear witness to the truth. It is the duty of this Ummah to rise as bearers of justice and fairness. This Ummah is not a terrorist Ummah; it is the guarantor of justice, peace, and security.

Condemnation of Terrorism Against Muslims

It saddens me to state that today (Friday, October 1), a bomb blast occurred in a mosque in Sialkot, martyring more than twenty Muslims. This is a conspiracy by the enemies of Islam.

In Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Chechnya, the market of oppression is burning against Muslims. We must unite against the enemies of Islam. Calling people toward goodness and establishing justice is a duty upon us all. This task cannot be done individually—unity is essential. Jamaat-e-Islami, Ikhwan-ul-Muslimoon, the Ulema, religious parties, and Tablighi Jamaat are all working for this mission. In Pakistan, religious parties have formed the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mission

Jamaat-e-Islami has risen with the exact mission of the Prophet ﷺ—pure and complete. We are neither authorized to alter anything, nor have we altered anything. Our ultimate reference is Qur’an and Sunnah. We invite people toward Qur’an and Sunnah.

Muslims of the world may not unite on any one leader, but they can unite—and are united—on the Prophet ﷺ. This general assembly is the gathering of the entire Ummah. It has become a bouquet of Islamic movements from around the world. Our real life is Islam—and Islam is one. There is no “liberal Islam” or “moderate Islam.”

The message brought by the Messenger ﷺ from the Lord of the worlds is the message we propagate. This message is destined to prevail. Truth gives strength and light. We consider the whole world a single community. Our Prophet ﷺ came for all humanity. We are all the children of Adam, and the most honored among us is the one who fears Allah.

Women too must walk the path of Allah and stand as torchbearers of truth and justice.

Criticism of Musharraf’s Policies

General Musharraf is using terms like “moderate Islam” and “liberal Islam” to please America. Islam has declared immoral acts as forbidden and strictly opposes indecency and vulgarity. There is no place for military dictatorship in Islam. General Musharraf, Ataturk, or Bush cannot change Islam.

Today Muslims are being labeled as terrorists. When Kashmiris—who are 90% Muslim—struggle against India’s illegal occupation, they are termed terrorists. General Musharraf has even accepted that this too is terrorism. Similarly, Jews were settled in Palestine, and the world declared it “Israel” and demanded recognition. Whoever refuses is called a terrorist. In Chechnya, Iraq, and Afghanistan, oppression is at its peak. These colonial powers have invaded our homes and are calling us terrorists.

For Humanity and Against Dictatorship

I want to make it clear that we are working for all humanity. If America wants any dialogue with Islam, it should do so with us. General Musharraf is not the representative of Islam or the Muslim world. He has forcefully occupied the democratic and constitutional institutions of the country.

Our education system is being secularized; interference in religious schools is increasing; and the Pakistan Army is being pushed to act as an American mercenary. We avoided confrontation and signed an agreement on the 17th Amendment, through which the National Security Council was removed from the constitution, and General Musharraf promised to remove his uniform by December 31, 2004. But now we are being deceived, whereas the MMA has not violated any agreement. General Musharraf is deceiving the nation. This is a challenge for Pakistan’s 140 million people.

We announce that after December 31, General Musharraf will not be accepted as President for even one day. We will declare him guilty of violating the constitution and unlawfully occupying power. For the sake of saving the country, we are ready to make every sacrifice.

Condemnation of Military Operations

The current rulers, in an attempt to please America, are bombing the people of Waziristan and Wana. This is being done to damage the morale of the army. India, Israel, and America are all part of this conspiracy.

There is no Al-Qaeda in the tribal areas—those being targeted are local citizens. This operation is not a war on terror; it is joining America’s terrorism. Islam is not terrorism. The Qur’an declares that killing one innocent person is like killing all humanity.

We have made nuclear weapons, but not to drop on innocent people. It is America that bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

America wants to shut down our peaceful nuclear program. It wants to turn the Line of Control into a permanent border and establish Indian dominance in this region, just as it has established Israel’s dominance in the Arab world. Now our ruler is signaling recognition of Israel. We will not accept Israel’s occupation of even one inch of Palestine, nor will we allow any compromise on Kashmir.

Call for Democratic Unity

The time for ending General Musharraf’s authoritarian actions is near. I say to the ARD as well—join us. If they oppose the 17th Amendment, then constitutional changes must come through constitutional means.

On the Objectives Resolution, on the clauses against Qadianis, on Islamic provisions, on Hudood laws, and on the Islamic Ideological Council—everyone is united. What remains can be resolved through mutual dialogue within constitutional limits.

We make no apology regarding the 17th Amendment. Through it, we placed the country back on the democratic path and set a deadline for the President to remove his uniform. This is our success.

We say to the ARD, PML-N, PPP, and PONM: if you want justice and constitutional governance, then agree that military intervention is unacceptable. We have already decided that after December 31, 2004, we will not allow General Musharraf to remain President in uniform.

For full details and the original article, see:https://tarjumanulquran.org/articles/nov-2004-ejtamaah-aam-ka-paigaam