‘Un-Islamic’: Religious scholars condemn lynching of Sri Lankan national

ISLAMABAD: Religious scholars from various schools of thought on Tuesday strongly condemned the brutal lynching of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot, calling it “un-Islamic” and “inhumane”.  

The Ulema delegation, led by Special Representative to Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, visited Sri Lankan High Commission to express solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka over the tragic incident.

“It was an inhumane act, and to accuse someone of blasphemy without proof is not in accordance with the Shariah,” said Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Qibla Ayaz while talking to journalists following their meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama.

“This tragedy caused anger worldwide as the mob brutally killed a man and later burned his body,” he said, terming the incident against the teaching of the Holy Quran, the Constitution as well as the laws of Pakistan. “The strictest possible legal action must be taken against these miscreants,” Dr Ayaz demanded.

He further said there was no place for extremism and violence in Islam, and urged scholars to play their due role in uprooting the menace. Dr Ayaz said ulema fully supported the decision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to award Tamgha-i-Shujaat (Medal of Bravery) to Malik Adnan — the man who had tried to shield Kumara from the violent mob.

On the occasion, other religious scholars were of the view that this was inhumane act and no one could support or justify it. They also demanded of the government to give compensation to the victim’s family, adding that every Pakistani was in pain and shared these hours of grief with Sri Lankan brothers.

Addressing the media persons, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama said it was tragic to see the brutal attack on Priyantha Diyawadana by extremist mob.

“However, we are happy that government of Pakistan has taken stringent action against the culprits involved in the incident to punish them,” the ambassador said, adding that already a number of culprits had been rounded up and were behind the bars.

“This incident will not affect bilateral ties between the two friendly countries,” he said and pointed that the relationship between the two countries dated back to the independence of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Kumara, a senior manager in a factory in Sialkot, was tortured to death on Friday (Dec 3) by hundreds of protesters, including the factory employees, and his body was later burnt over allegations of blasphemy.