The Rebel Who Dared To Speak Up His Musharraf - Part I
Desk with cultural leanings, NSN, Beshawar.
May 8, 2007
Islamabad (NSN): NSN brings to you an exclusive and wide ranging interview with the famous vice-principal of the rebel seminaries turning up their nose at the law in the Islamic state. Unlike the routine fatwas and quotes, the maulana sat down with the reporter for a wide ranging exclusive to be reported in three parts. This first part, introduces us to the maulana, his students, and their struggle. In the second part, we talk to him about men and women, women's rights, women in Islam and traditional culture. Finally, we finish in the third part with a round up of travel, technology, paragliding, law, and relationship with the west.
Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi. Please dont tell the maulana we took his picture while he wasn't looking. We left on good enough terms to hope for further interviews.
Q: What is the mission of the Lal Masjid and Jamia Faridia?
A: Markazi Jamia Masjid (Lal Masjid) is one of the oldest functioning mosques. Jamia Faridia and Jamia Hafsa are a charitable organization that strive to teach the fundamentals of the faith .
Q: Why are their questions about legal status of the buildings?
A: We are protected by God, and by governments before the current tyrant.
Q: How many students do the seminaries have?
A: Markazi Jamia Masjid has now grown into a great religious University/an extensive project in which presently there are about 11000 students (boys/girls). No monetary fee is charged from these students.
Jamia Hafsa students resting between exercises with kendo sticks. Again, please don't mention the pictures to the Maulana if you happen to meet him.
Q: What is the daily routine of the students?
A: Praise to god, and a little bit of exercise.
Q: What are the Opportunities after education at the seminary?
A: Many reputable houses employ our students, most still return to NWFP. But Quetta, Lahore, and of late Pindi/Islamabad have seen revival.
Q: How is competition or loss of monopoly or removal of government protection affecting you?
A: We had government protection and monopoly over the small market in pindi islamabad until the current regime. Girls from the competition do not pray five times. Jamia students at great disadvantage because competition does not wear islamic clothes, allows seedy transactions to take place. We are against that. We have been taking steps to protect our territory.
Further Parts to Follow...
Ed: We regret loss of some detail in translation. Our regular translator was on vacation .
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