Abdul Aziz Ghazi

Last updated

Mawlānā
Mufti
Abdul Aziz Ghazi
MauwlanaAbdulAziz2.jpg
Chancellor of Jamia Faridia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1998
Citizenship Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistani
Alma mater Jamia Farooqia
Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia
Relations Abdul Rashid Ghazi (brother)
Religious life
Religion Islam
Denomination Sunni
Jurisprudence Hanafi
Movement Deobandi
Muslim leader
Teacher Saleemullah Khan
Military career
Battles / wars Soviet–Afghan War
Siege of Lal Masjid

Abdul Aziz Ghazi [a] (born 10 January 1960) is a Pakistani Islamic scholar and Islamist dissident belonging to the Deobandi movement within Sunni Islam, who serves as both the Imam and Khatib of Lal Masjid in Islamabad, [1] which was the site of a siege in 2007 with the Pakistani army. [2]

Contents

Aziz also serves as the Chancellor & Chief Executive of Jamia Faridia and Jamia Hafsa, two influential Deobandi Islamic seminaries in Islamabad. [3]

He is the son of Muhammad Abdullah Ghazi, and elder brother of Abdul Rashid Ghazi. [4]

Aziz was arrested during Operation Sunrise but was later released by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2009 and acquitted in 2013. [5] [6]

He is known to closely follows the supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Omar, and typically resists being photographed or interviewed. [7]

Early life and education

He is an ethnic Baloch, a part of Baloch diaspora who migrated to Punjab from Baluchistan. [8] He is from the Sadwani clan of the Mazari tribe, in the town of Rojhan in Rajanpur, the border district of Punjab province of Pakistan. [9] He first came to Islamabad as a six-year-old boy from his home town in Rajanpur, when his father was appointed as Imam and Khatib of Central Mosque Islamabad ( Lal Masjid) in 1966. [10]

He studied for few years at Islamabad College, a public school from where he completed his Intermediate and then joined Jamia Farooqia, where he was a student of Saleemullah Khan. [9]

Aziz later graduated with a Dars-i Nizami degree from Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia, a Madrasa in Karachi, It was during his studies there that he met Ahmed Ludhianvi, who became a close friend. [11]

After Graduation, Aziz served as Imam of Masjid Mujaddadiyyah in F-8, Islamabad. [12]

Father's assassination

In October 1998, Aziz's father was assassinated in the courtyard of Lal Masjid as he was returning from teaching a class at Jamia Faridia. [13] The assassin afterwards, fired at Aziz, who barely escaped death. [14] [15]

The assassin escaped with the help of an accomplice waiting outside in a car. Aziz's father died of his injuries on the way to the hospital. [16]

Lal Masjid and seminaries

Following his father's assassination, Aziz succeeded him as Imam of Lal Masjid and as the Chancellor of both Jamia Faridia and Jamia Hafsa. [10]

Although most administrative duties of the seminaries were largely overseen by his younger brother, Abdul Rashid. [17] as Aziz was more interested in political activities, and would constantly issue fatwas on various public affairs. [7]

2004 Fatwa

In 2004, Aziz who was then serving as BPS 9 government employee issued a "fatwa" (religious decree) against the army officers who were fighting against the Taliban during the Battle of Wanna in the tribal areas close to the Afghan border. In the fatwa he declared that none of the army officers who were killed in the fighting in tribal area were martyrs and religious sanctions were not available for their funeral. [18]

The fatwa was supported by several religious scholars, among them Aziz's close allies, Sami-ul-Haq and Nizamuddin Shamzai. [19]

2007 showdown

In 2007, Aziz launched an anti-vice and Shari'a campaign occupying a nearby library and embarking on vigilante raids through the city to stop what he called "un-Islamic activities," such as film vendors, barber shops and a Chinese-run massage parlor that he accused of being a brothel. [20]

He also launched a warned the government of attacks in the case of a violent police operation launched against him. "If the government fails to eradicate all these moral evils from the society within the specified period of one month they (students) would themselves take actions against all the people involved in such activities," said Abdul Aziz while addressing Friday Prayer congregation. [21]

On 3 July 2007, the standoff with the government ended in bloody gun battles in which some publications claim that more than 1,000 students were killed and scores wounded. [22] The official death toll is much lower, at fewer than 300. [23]

Arrest

On 4 July 2007 at 8:05 a.m., Aziz was arrested while leaving the complex disguised in a burqa. [24] Aziz claims the reason for his cross-dressing escape was that he was called by a senior official of an intelligence agency with whom he has been in touch for a long time and since this man could not enter into the mosque to meet him, he asked Aziz to come down to Aabpara police station, situated on a walking distance from the mosque and asked him to wear a burqa to avoid identification. [25]

Aziz admitted that he had done this many times before when he was declared wanted by the government. [26]

Release

Aziz was released on 16 April 2009 by the Supreme Court of Pakistan as he awaited trial on alleged charges of murder, incitement, and kidnapping. He was greeted by throngs of supporters. [5]

Since 2001, 27 different cases have been filed unsuccessfully against him. [27] [6]

Subsequent activities

Since his release he has resumed his post at Lal Masjid and has also continued to serve as Chancellor of Jamia Faridia and Jamia Hafsa. [28] [3]

Aziz carrying an AKS-74U while speaking at the 2024 D-Chowk Dharna against the Gaza war. MaulanaAziz2024.jpg
Aziz carrying an AKS-74U while speaking at the 2024 D-Chowk Dharna against the Gaza war.

In 2010, Aziz participated in a protest organized by tribesmen from North Waziristan, opposing U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal regions. The demonstration, held at D-Chowk, included prominent figures such as General Hamid Gul and Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, who collectively demanded an end to the drone campaign. [29]

In 2014, During peace talks between Taliban and Pakistani government, The Taliban nominated a five person team as part of their peace talks committee consisting of Aziz alongside PTI chief Imran Khan, Samiul Haq and Mufti Kifayatullah. [30] [31] [32] Aziz later withdrew from the committee and refused to attend future meetings with negotiators. [33] [34]

In 2015, Aziz was banned by the ICTA from delivering sermons in Muharram. [35]

In 2017, Aziz filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court requesting the removal of anti-Islamic content from social media platforms within Pakistan. The petition also called on the government to sever diplomatic ties with the United States following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. [36]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aziz kept the Lal Masjid open and refused to comply with lockdown orders, stating, “Lockdowns are not the answer to these problems. We should have faith in God at this time and place their hope in Him. If death is written for you, then it will come”. [37] [38]

In 2024, Aziz participated in several pro-Palestinian rallies amid the Gaza war, including a weeks long sit-in at Islamabad's D-Chowk organized by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mushtaq Ahmad. [39] [40]

In 2025, Aziz alongside leaders from various religious groups, organized protests following the demolition of a historic mosque on a greenbelt near Rawal Lake by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). During a speech, Aziz threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement against the government in response to the demolition. [41]

Books

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Urdu: عبد العزيزغازی

References

  1. ↑ "Lal Masjid: Why Maulana Abdul Aziz Remains Untouchable". The Friday Times. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Hussain, Zahid (13 July 2017). "The legacy of Lal Masjid". Dawn . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 الفریدیہ, جامعۃ العلوم الاسلامیہ. "تعارفِ جامعہ فریدیہ - جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia". تعارفِ جامعہ فریدیہ - جامعہ فریدیہ | Jamia Faridia (in Urdu). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "Islamabad Red Mosque Cleric Killed" [ usurped ] Pakistan Times , 11 July 2007, retrieved 27 July 2009
  5. 1 2 Walsh, Declan (17 April 2009). "Red Mosque siege leader walks free to hero's welcome". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. 1 2 Asad, Malik (24 September 2013). "Lal Masjid cleric acquitted in all cases". Dawn News . Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  7. 1 2 Shah, Benazir; Islam, Nazar-ul (4 February 2016). "Meeting Pakistan's Maulana Mohammad Abdul Aziz". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  8. ↑ Qandeel Siddique, The Red Mosque Operation and Its Impact On the Growth of the Pakistani Taliban, report for Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), p. 13. Link.
  9. 1 2 3 Zafar Imran, "The Religious Godfather of the Punjabi Taliban: Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi", in Militant Leadership Monitor – Jamestown, volume I, issue 5 (27 May 2010), pp. 3–4
  10. 1 2 Khan, Zia (15 August 2010). "Crimson tide". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Nadeem F. Paracha (3 November 2013), "Red handed", Dawn News. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "Lal Masjid: a history". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Mansoor, Riaz (2006). Hayat Shaheed E Islam (حیات شہیدِ اسلام). Maktaba Faridia. p. 56.
  14. ↑ "شہیداسلام مولانا عبداللہ شہید شخصیت و کردار۔۔۔تحریر مولاناتنویراحمداعوان". Shaffak (in Urdu). 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  15. ↑ Janjua, Simran Saeed; Malik, Mishaal; Malik, Simran Saeed Janjua and Mishaal (12 July 2024). "Miscalculation or Inevitable? The Lal Masjid Siege and its Legacy". South Asia Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  16. ↑ Lal Masjid : A Brief History.
  17. ↑ Walsh, Declan (2020). Nine Lives Of Pakistan. National Geographic Books. p. 35. ISBN   978-0-393-24991-0.
  18. ↑ "Lal Masjid reissues 2004 Fatwa". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  19. ↑ umer.nangiana (14 November 2013). "2004 religious ruling: Lal Masjid had declared soldiers as 'not martyrs'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "At Pakistan's Red Mosque, a Return of Islamic Militancy". TIME. 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  21. ↑ Farooq, Umer (7 April 2007). "Religious Cleric Threatens Suicide Attacks". OhmyNews International . Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Profile: Islamabad's Red Mosque". BBC News. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  23. ↑ "Pakistan counts costs of bloody end to mosque siege". Reuters. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2019.[ dead link ]
  24. ↑ Walsh, Declan (4 July 2007). "Red Mosque leader attempts to flee in burka". The Guardian . Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  25. ↑ Asad, Malik (8 February 2013). "Lal Masjid cleric's interview in burqa still a mystery". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  26. ↑ "Forces on alert as deadline to Lal Masjid passes". The News International. 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  27. ↑ "یوم مزدور". Nawaiwaqt (in Urdu). 1 May 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  28. ↑ Malik, Hasnaat (25 August 2016). "Jamia Hafsa rebuilding: Govt presents relocation agreement before SC". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  29. ↑ Dawn.com (11 December 2010). "No drone syndrome". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  30. ↑ "Pakistani government and Taliban hold talks". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  31. ↑ "Pakistan enters peace talks with Taliban". BBC News. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  32. ↑ Nordland, Rod (16 December 2015). "Pakistan Military Deals a Blow to Jihadists but Not to Ideology". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  33. ↑ zahid.gishkori (7 February 2014). "Peace initiative: Maulana Aziz strikes a discordant note". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  34. ↑ Dawn.com (8 February 2014). "Aziz likely to continue in negotiating role: Yousuf Shah". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  35. ↑ obaid.abbasi (13 October 2015). "Muharram preparations: Entry of 15 clerics barred". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  36. ↑ Altaf, Arsalan (9 December 2017). "Lal Masjid cleric seeks action against online blasphemy". The Express Tribune . Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  37. ↑ "Pakistani Crowds Still Gather For Friday Prayers". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  38. ↑ Hashim, Asad. "Pakistanis gather for Friday prayers defying coronavirus advisory". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  39. ↑ "Pakistanis urge government to take 'decisive action' for Gaza ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid". Arab News PK. 24 March 2024.
  40. ↑ Hamza, Ali (24 June 2024). "Save Gaza Campaign finishes Islamabad sit-in after negotiations with interior minister". The Nation .
  41. ↑ Ali, Kalbe (12 August 2025). "Protests erupt against razing of mosque in Islamabad". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  42. ↑ Ghazi, Abdul Aziz (2005). Allah ki Azeem Naimat (اللہ کی عظیم نعمت)[The Great Blessing of Allah] (in Urdu). Lal Masjid Publications.
  43. ↑ "Pakistan Hausbesuch beim Hassprediger". FAZ.NET (in German). 21 August 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  44. ↑ Ghazi, Abdul Aziz (2006). Islami Nizam ka Mujawwiza Khaka (اسلامی نظام کا مجوزہ خاکہ)[A Proposed Blueprint of the Islamic System] (in Urdu). Lal Masjid Publications.
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