Whether it is spring or autumn, there is no god but Allah.

پروفیسر خورشید احمد | دسمبر ۲۰۰۸ | اشارات Exaltation of the Word of Allah

This gathering was held for the exaltation of the Word of Allah. We intended to hold this gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan in the heart of Lahore, Pakistan, where the Pakistan Resolution was passed, in front of which stands the symbol of Muslim greatness, Badshahi Mosque, and where the mausoleum of the thinker of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal, is located. Lahore was made the center for Islamic revolution by Maulana Maududi (RA). The residents of Lahore were eager and restless to host visitors coming from all over the country, but the government, at the last moment, denied us permission to hold the general gathering.

We could have held the gathering despite this, but we refrained from choosing the path of confrontation, even though the government had planned exactly this—to force us into confrontation. In this way, we thwarted the government’s conspiracy and decided to hold the gathering in the province where the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal achieved historic success and played a key role in the Afghan Jihad.

Central Theme: Struggle in the Way of Allah

The central theme of the general gathering is “Struggle in the Way of Allah and the Right to Jihad.” Allah Almighty has named us Muslims in all His books and also in the Holy Quran, which refers to those who obey and follow Allah’s commands. We say that only the command of Allah and His Messenger (SAW) is sufficient for us. The Shariah established by the Prophet (SAW) is before us. We are aware of the sacrifices and struggles of the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions (RA). A complete and dominant religion has been left for us. We are its custodians. We will be asked what efforts we made and what sacrifices we gave to implement this religion.

Duty of Martyrdom and Justice

We have been called to fulfill the duty of Martyrdom for Truth. It is the duty of the Ummah to rise as the standard-bearer of justice. This Ummah is not a terrorist Ummah; it is an Ummah that guarantees justice, fairness, and security. I regret to inform that today (Friday, 1st October), a bomb blast occurred in a mosque in Sialkot, and more than 20 Muslims were martyred. This is the conspiracy of anti-Islamic elements.

Today, in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Chechnya, oppression against Muslims is rampant. We must unite against the enemies of Islam. It is our duty to guide people towards righteousness and establish justice. This cannot be done alone but must be achieved through unity. Jamaat-e-Islami, the Muslim Brotherhood, scholars, religious parties, and Tablighi groups are all working for this cause. In Pakistan, religious parties have formed the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.

Commitment to the Message of the Prophet (SAW)

Jamaat-e-Islami has risen purely and entirely with the same message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We are neither authorized to add or subtract from it, nor have we made any modifications. Our ultimate reference is the Quran and Sunnah. We call people towards the Quran and Sunnah. Muslims worldwide may not unite under a single leader, but they can and do unite under the Prophet (SAW). This general gathering is a gathering of the Muslim Ummah. It has become a bouquet of Islamic movements from around the world. Our true life is Islam, and Islam is one—there is no liberal or moderate Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW), sent as “Mercy for the Worlds,” brought this message, and we are its advocates. Ultimately, this message must prevail. Truth grants strength and light. We consider the entire world as one community. Our Prophet (SAW) came for all of humanity. We are all descendants of Adam, and the most honorable among us is the one who fears Allah. The same message applies to women—they should follow the path of Allah and become standard-bearers of truth and justice.

Opposition to “Moderate” and “Liberal” Islam

General Musharraf is using terms like “Moderate Islam” and “Liberal Islam” to please America. Islam declares vices forbidden and strongly opposes immorality and obscenity. Islam has no space for military dictatorship. General Musharraf, Atatürk, and President Bush cannot change this. Today, Muslims are being labeled as terrorists. When Kashmir, with 90% Muslim majority, resists the oppressive Indian army, it is called terrorism. Even General Pervez Musharraf has acknowledged this as terrorism. Similarly, in Palestine, the Jews were settled and declared Israel; anyone who does not accept it is labeled a terrorist. In Chechnya, Iraq, and Afghanistan, oppression is rampant. Colonial powers have entered our homes and are labeling us terrorists.

Global Responsibility

I want to make it clear that we are working for all humanity. If America wants a dialogue with Islam, it should do so with us. General Musharraf does not represent Islam or the Muslim world; he has forcibly taken control of the country’s democratic and constitutional institutions. We oppose military intervention in civil matters. Our education system is being secularized, religious seminaries are being interfered with, and the Pakistani army is being turned into a mercenary for America.

Instead of confrontation, we adopted the path of reconciliation, agreeing on the 17th constitutional amendment, which removed the National Security Council from the Constitution, and General Musharraf promised to resign from uniform by 31st December 2004. However, now we are being deceived, while Majlis-e-Amal has not violated any agreement. General Musharraf is misleading the people. This is a challenge for the 140 million people of Pakistan. We declare that after 31st December, we will not accept General Musharraf as President even for a single day. We will consider him a violator of the Constitution and an illegitimate usurper of power. We are ready to make every sacrifice to save the country.

Military Operations in Tribal Areas

The current rulers, to please America, are bombing the people of Waziristan and Wana. This is being done to demoralize the army. This involves conspiracies by India, Israel, and America. There is no Al-Qaeda in tribal areas; the local people are being targeted. This operation is against the country’s freedom-loving people. This is not a war against terrorism but an alliance with America’s terrorism. Islam is not terrorism. The Holy Quran declares the unjust killing of one person as equivalent to killing all humanity. We have developed nuclear weapons, but not to use them against any innocent or oppressed. It is America that historically dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

America is trying to halt our peaceful nuclear program. It wants to make India dominant in the region by permanently recognizing the Line of Control in Kashmir, just as it made Israel dominant in Arab countries. Now our government is signaling acceptance of Israel. We will not accept Israeli occupation of even an inch of Palestinian land, nor allow anyone to bargain over Kashmir.

Ending General Musharraf’s Dictatorship

The time for ending General Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorial measures is near. I also call on ARD members to join us. If they oppose the 17th Amendment, constitutional changes must be made through legal procedures. However, there is consensus on the objectives resolution, clauses against Qadianis, Islamic provisions, and the institution of the Islamic Ideological Council. Any disagreements can be resolved constitutionally through discussion. We make no apology for the 17th Amendment. Through it, we put the country on the path of democracy and set a deadline for the President to leave uniform. This is our achievement.

To ARD, PML-N, PPP, and Poonam, we say: if you want justice and constitutional governance, decide together not to accept military intervention. We have already decided that after 31st December 2004, General Musharraf will not remain President in uniform.

For full details, see: https://tarjumanulquran.org/articles/dec-2008-bahr-ho-k-khizaan-laaelaaha-ellallaah