Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday draw the ire of hundreds of social media users, including political leaders, after a video clip of his controversial statement regarding Hazrat Esa (AS) [Jesus Christ] went viral over the internet.
“Moses got some mention, but Jesus Christ has no mention in history,” he said while addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day International Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Conference in Islamabad.
WATCH VIDEO:
WHAT!?!?
“Moses got some mention, but Jesus Christ has no mention in history” – Prime Minister Pakistan Imran Khan. pic.twitter.com/glnwN2qRMc
— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) November 20, 2018
Ever since the clip of the premier’s address was shared over social media, a number of netizens took to Twitter and criticised him for what they said was PM Khan’s “ignorance”
@ImranKhanPTI Dear Khan Sahib, I will recommend a book "Al-Quran" in which Hazrat Isa (A.S) is the most mentioned person directly and indirectly. You visited Madina now few times, they have left a place next to our Prophet (S.A.W) where Isa will be buried.
— Zia (@Zia051) November 20, 2018
یہ خان صاحب کون سی تاریخ کی کتابیں پڑھتے ہیں جن مین اُن کو حضرت عیسیٰ علیہ السلام کا ذکر نہیں ملتا؟ کچھ تو خدا کا خوف کریں۔ اگر دین پر آپ کا مطالعہ محدود ہے تو یقین کریں کہ لکھی ہوئی تقریر پڑھنے میں کوئی مذائقہ نہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/wB2ZrCKLlG
— Ali Dar (@alimdar82) November 20, 2018
Puri ki Puri surah Mariyam hai jis main hazrat Isa ka zikr hai. "Isa ibn e Mariyam" is mentioned about 25 times throughout Quran.
— Pirated Kashmiri🌻 (@CoffeeMug_) November 20, 2018
— Shadow (@abdulvoip) November 20, 2018
As absolutely stupid as this is, it is also dangerous. By claiming that Jesus has no mention in history, or whatever that means, he’s introducing an element of illegitimacy towards the Cristian faith. Especially considering his audience at this event & the ongoing #AsiaBibi saga
— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) November 20, 2018
Among the many who condemned the remarks, was Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former minister Ahsan Iqbal.
“Quran has many references of Hazrat Isa (AS); how will trolls defend this crazy statement of IK?” he tweeted.
Quran has many references of Hazrat Isa (as) will trolls defend this crazy statement of IK? https://t.co/uJ3QGVEEGz
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) November 20, 2018
Meanwhile, a few, obviously, stepped in to defend PM Khan’s remarks and said that the statement “lacked context”.
This is taken out of context. He is talking about governance and law, wherein Moses (As) and Muhammad (Sw) have striking similarities in terms of governance and law. Isa (As) has an entirely different story and is unique.
— Karachi Scribes (@KarachiScribes) November 20, 2018
He's right. There's not a single mention of Jesus in any contemporary history books of his time. @rezaaslan book Zealot talks about it in great detail.
— Sikander F. Bhadera (@SikanderFayyaz) November 20, 2018
I have listened to his speech. You have to understand he was talking about nation and state building. What was these people role during their life in building of their nation.
— Ali Imam (@bessacarrali) November 20, 2018
It merits a mention here that the two-day conference titled, ‘Finality of Prophethood and responsibilities of Muslims in light of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’, is the 43rd conference aimed at promoting religious harmony, tolerance, brotherhood and equality, respect for humanity, non-violence, unity, reconciliation and culture of dialogue.