By Mohd Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Muslim clerics in Lucknow have welcomed the killing of most wanted terrorist and Al Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan by US forces on Monday. The clerics also minced no words in warning Pakistan to hand over the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks perpetrators to India. However, they also remained skeptical over increasing role of US in the region.
Naib Imam Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli stated that Islam does not allow terrorism in any form. “Any terror activity is a crime against whole mankind. We cannot justify the killings of innocents in the name of religion. Anyone indulging in such acts has to meet the same fate, Osama’s killing is a big relief for the whole world,” he said. Farangi Mahli also stated that it has now established beyond doubt that Pakistan is harbouring terrorists and now international community should mount pressure on Pakistan for handing over 26/11 perpetrators to India.
Noted Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, however, termed it as a game plan of USA. “The main perpetrator of terrorism is USA as it first promotes terrorism by installing someone in a country and later eliminates them. The Indian government should also tread cautiously in this matter and refrain itself from getting cosy with USA,” he said.
All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) spokesman Maulana Yasoob Abbas also expressed happiness over killing of Osama stating that terror cannot be justified in Islam. “Now Pakistan should take action against the terrorists who master-minded the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,” he said.
Several other clerics including Islamic Centre of India, Maulana Naeemur Rehman, Imam Tile Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Waizi and several others too expressed same sentiments.
Meanwhile district administration sensing tension deployed police force in the old city. However, the day looked absolutely normal with no protest or celebration in any form reported from the city. People remained busy with their normal routine with no concern over the development. Many of them when quizzed hailed the killing but stated that they are least worried about such activities.