Sacrilege be declared global crime: PM

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday demanded the world community to declare sacrilege a crime globally.
“Sacrilege is intolerable for Muslims, as it is not an issue of freedom of expression, instead it is a question of violence on earth,” the prime minister said in his address at the Ishq-e-Rasool Conference in Islamabad on Friday.
The PM said freedom of expression did not mean that revered personalities are made targets, adding that protest against such despicable acts “is our religious duty”.
Ashraf said the world today was threatened by religious extremism and one of the reasons of extremism was disrespect for other religions. He said the miscreants had targeted the greatest personality of the universe whom no power on earth could ever cause any damage.
He said the sentiments of the Muslims were never taken into account, but a debate on holocaust had been forbidden and was liable to punishment.
“Pakistan has the right to protest against the anti-Islam film and all religions, beliefs and the revered personalities must be respected,” he said.
The PM said Pakistan was the only Islamic country observing an official protest day and President Asif Ali Zardari would be taking up the issue at the UN General Assembly session in the coming days.
He said anti-social elements were using the concept of freedom of speech in an offensive manner, adding that Islam was a religion of peace and preached respect for all faiths. Ashraf warned that if such actions did not stop, they would create instability worldwide.
“We want a resolution of the matter that has international support and protection so that such sacrilegious acts could be averted in the future.”
He pointed out that defamation of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had witnessed an upsurge in recent years in the name of freedom of expression, saying this was not freedom of expression but hatred and demonstrated blatant double standards.
Ashraf said the personality of Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was paramount to the principles of great Muslim faith of peace, tolerance and harmony and central to the belief of Muslims. He said an attack on the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was an attack on the core belief of 1.5 billion Muslims. “This is something that is unacceptable. Our faith remains incomplete without total devotion and reverence to the Prophet (PBUH). The anguish and hurt is deeper after the discovery that the profane act was based on biased, hatred and prejudice.”
“We appreciate those in the international community who joined Muslims in condemning this act.”
He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave the message of peace and harmony.
The PM appealed the nation to maintain peace and avoid violence.
“It is our collective responsibility to protest peacefully without causing harm or damage to properties or lives. The punishment for one’s crime cannot be given to another person; similarly, it is not right to damage foreign diplomatic missions.”
He urged Ulema and Mashaikh to use their influence with the masses to help stop the violence. The PM said Islamic countries should formulate a unified policy to impress upon the world community that Muslims were enraged over the profane acts and wanted an end to them.
Ashraf said it was time the Muslim Ummah stood united at this critical juncture and sought a permanent solution so that no one dared desecrate religious personalities of any religion in the future.
The PM said the Muslim world needed to work together with other countries to find a solution that ensures respect of the sentiments of people of all religions.
He said irreverence and disrespect to other religions was the root cause of extremism, adding that world peace could only be ensured by giving respect to the sentiments of all faiths.
Appreciating the minorities for their support against the blasphemous film, Ashraf said Muslims would also stand shoulder to shoulder with them for the protection of their rights.
He said it was the right of the Pakistani people to express their strong sentiments against the blasphemous movie, however, these sentiments needed to be given a constructive direction in order to transform the Muslims into a socio-economic and political power.