All Pakistan Ulema Council - Revision history

Asmith at 18:13, 19 February 2026

2026-02-19T18:13:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:13, 19 February 2026
Line 20:		Line 20:
	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

			{{stub}}
			[[Category:Stubs]]
	[[Category:Modern movements]]		[[Category:Modern movements]]
	[[Category:Islamic History]]		[[Category:Islamic History]]

Zhothaqquah: Revised language

2025-12-03T20:06:19Z

Revised language

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 3 December 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}
	The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is ~~a Muslim~~ organization in Pakistan, founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence~~, whose~~ members include [[Portal: Traditional Islamic Scholars\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. ~~Its head~~ is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>		The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is an organization in Pakistan founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence among Muslims. Its members include [[Portal: Traditional Islamic Scholars\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. It is currently led by Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>

	==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==		==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==
	In August 2012, the Council joined ~~hands with~~ the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, ~~and Tahir Ashrafi denounced~~ the ''misuse'' of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl ~~thought to have~~ Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>		In August 2012, the Council joined the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, to denounce the misuse of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl with Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>

	The council also issued [[Fatwa\|fatwas]] prohibiting honor killings<ref>Baba Umar (1 June 2014). "Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree". ''Aljazeera News Organisation website''. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref>, [[takfeer]] (the act of declaring someone a non-Muslim)<ref>No Islamic sect to be declared 'kaafir': Ulema Council Dunya TV News website, Published 5 June 2014, Retrieved 15 October 2019</ref>, and joining ISIS.<ref>"Pakistan ulema council condemns IS militants". ''Dawn (newspaper)''. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref> The first of these three prohibitions ~~against honor killings~~ is ~~especially pertinent~~, ~~as a 2011 Pew research report found~~ that ~~"Four-~~in~~-Ten Pakistanis say honor killing of women can be at least sometimes justified~~."<ref><nowiki>https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/05/30/four-in-ten-pakistanis-say-honor-killing-of-women-can-be-at-least-sometimes-justified/</nowiki></ref>		The council also issued [[Fatwa\|fatwas]] prohibiting honor killings<ref>Baba Umar (1 June 2014). "Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree". ''Aljazeera News Organisation website''. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref>, [[takfeer]] (the act of declaring someone a non-Muslim)<ref>No Islamic sect to be declared 'kaafir': Ulema Council Dunya TV News website, Published 5 June 2014, Retrieved 15 October 2019</ref>, and joining ISIS.<ref>"Pakistan ulema council condemns IS militants". ''Dawn (newspaper)''. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref> The first of these three prohibitions is significant, given polling that indicates substantial support for honor violence in Pakistani society.<ref><nowiki>https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/05/30/four-in-ten-pakistanis-say-honor-killing-of-women-can-be-at-least-sometimes-justified/</nowiki></ref>

	==~~Approving~~ suicide attacks==		==Views on suicide attacks==
	In March 2013, ~~the head of the council announced~~ that [[Suicide Bombing in Islam\|suicide attacks]] ~~are~~ permitted in Afghanistan so long as US forces ~~remain~~ in the country~~. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,~~"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>		In March 2013, Ashrafi appeared to suggest that [[Suicide Bombing in Islam\|suicide attacks]] were permitted in Afghanistan so long as US forces remained in the country: "Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref> This sentiment reflects other statements from the Taliban that have likened suicide bombers to "the atomic weapons of Muslims."<ref>Lisa Lundquist - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/03/for_some_time_lwj_ha.php\|2=2013-04-03}} Pakistani clerics endorse suicide bombings, reject proposed peace conference] - The Long War Journal, March 2, 2013</ref> Ashrafi later said that he was quoted out of context and had “never supported suicide attacks that cause ''civilian casualties'' in Afghanistan,” explaining that the [[Taliban]]’s supreme leader Mullah Omar had also banned such bombings.<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afghanistantimes.af%2Fnews_details.php%3Fid%3D2817%26%26cid%3D1\|2=2013-04-03}} <!-- http://www.afghanistantimes.af/news_details.php?id=2817&&cid=1 -->Ashrafi takes U-turn on Afghan suicide attacks] - Afghanistan Times, March 3, 2013</ref>

	~~Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of~~ the Taliban ~~in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said~~ that "suicide bombers ~~are the atomic weapons of Muslims.~~"

	~~In the tape, a teenage suicide bomber named Masood, who was involved with a May 2008 double suicide bombing in Lahore, stated: 'Suicide bombers are~~ the atomic weapons of Muslims ~~because Muslims do not have the latest weapons to fight enemies who are committing atrocities against Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq~~.'"<ref>Lisa Lundquist - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/03/for_some_time_lwj_ha.php\|2=2013-04-03}} Pakistani clerics endorse suicide bombings, reject proposed peace conference] - The Long War Journal, March 2, 2013</ref>

	~~Tahir~~ Ashrafi later ~~told Pajhwok Afghan News~~ that he was quoted out of context and had “never supported suicide attacks that cause ''civilian casualties'' in Afghanistan,” explaining that the [[Taliban]]’s supreme leader Mullah Omar had also banned such bombings.<ref>[{{Reference archive\|1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afghanistantimes.af%2Fnews_details.php%3Fid%3D2817%26%26cid%3D1\|2=2013-04-03}} <!-- http://www.afghanistantimes.af/news_details.php?id=2817&&cid=1 -->Ashrafi takes U-turn on Afghan suicide attacks] - Afghanistan Times, March 3, 2013</ref>

	==See Also==		==See Also==

IbnPinker at 21:07, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T21:07:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 7 March 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}
	The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in Pakistan, founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic ~~Clerics~~\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>		The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in Pakistan, founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Portal: Traditional Islamic Scholars\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>

	==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==		==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==

IbnPinker at 21:06, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T21:06:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 7 March 2021
Line 8:		Line 8:

	==Approving suicide attacks==		==Approving suicide attacks==
	In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[~~suicide~~\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in Afghanistan so long as ~~[[United States\|~~US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>		In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[Suicide Bombing in Islam\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in Afghanistan so long as US forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>

	Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."		Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."
Line 18:		Line 18:
	==See Also==		==See Also==

	*[[~~72 Virgins~~]]		*[[Portal: Traditional Islamic Scholars\|Traditional Islamic Scholars]]

	==External Links==		==External Links==

IbnPinker at 18:45, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T18:45:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 7 March 2021
Line 19:		Line 19:

	*[[72 Virgins]]		*[[72 Virgins]]
	~~{{Hub4\|Pakistan\|Pakistan}}~~

	==External Links==		==External Links==

IbnPinker at 03:10, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T03:10:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:10, 7 March 2021
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}
	The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in [[Pakistan]], founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>		The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in Pakistan, founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>

	==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==		==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==

IbnPinker at 19:38, 23 February 2021

2021-02-23T19:38:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 23 February 2021
Line 8:		Line 8:

	==Approving suicide attacks==		==Approving suicide attacks==
	In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in [[Afghanistan]] so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>		In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in Afghanistan so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>

	Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."		Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."
Line 27:		Line 27:
	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
			[[Category:Modern movements]]
	[[Category:~~Stubs~~]]		[[Category:Islamic History]]

IbnPinker at 05:45, 10 November 2020

2020-11-10T05:45:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 10 November 2020
Line 29:		Line 29:

	[[Category:Stubs]]		[[Category:Stubs]]
	~~[[Category:Jihad and Terrorism]]~~
	~~[[Category:Pakistan]]~~
	~~[[Category:Muslims]]~~

IbnPinker at 21:53, 2 September 2020

2020-09-02T21:53:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 2 September 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=1\|Content=2\|Language=1\|References=1}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=2\|Structure=3\|Content=2\|Language=3\|References=4}}
	The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in [[Pakistan]], founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>		The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in [[Pakistan]], founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>

	== Protecting religious minorities and dissenters ==		==Protecting religious minorities and dissenters==
	In August 2012, the Council joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, and Tahir Ashrafi denounced the ''misuse'' of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl thought to have Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>		In August 2012, the Council joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, and Tahir Ashrafi denounced the ''misuse'' of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl thought to have Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>

	The council also issued [[Fatwa\|fatwas]] prohibiting honor killings<ref>Baba Umar (1 June 2014). "Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree". ''Aljazeera News Organisation website''. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref>, [[takfeer]] (the act of declaring someone a non-Muslim)<ref>No Islamic sect to be declared 'kaafir': Ulema Council Dunya TV News website, Published 5 June 2014, Retrieved 15 October 2019</ref>, and joining ISIS.<ref>"Pakistan ulema council condemns IS militants". ''Dawn (newspaper)''. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref> The first of these three prohibitions against honor killings is especially pertinent, as a 2011 Pew research report found that "Four-in-Ten Pakistanis say honor killing of women can be at least sometimes justified."<ref><nowiki>https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/05/30/four-in-ten-pakistanis-say-honor-killing-of-women-can-be-at-least-sometimes-justified/</nowiki></ref>		The council also issued [[Fatwa\|fatwas]] prohibiting honor killings<ref>Baba Umar (1 June 2014). "Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree". ''Aljazeera News Organisation website''. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref>, [[takfeer]] (the act of declaring someone a non-Muslim)<ref>No Islamic sect to be declared 'kaafir': Ulema Council Dunya TV News website, Published 5 June 2014, Retrieved 15 October 2019</ref>, and joining ISIS.<ref>"Pakistan ulema council condemns IS militants". ''Dawn (newspaper)''. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref> The first of these three prohibitions against honor killings is especially pertinent, as a 2011 Pew research report found that "Four-in-Ten Pakistanis say honor killing of women can be at least sometimes justified."<ref><nowiki>https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/05/30/four-in-ten-pakistanis-say-honor-killing-of-women-can-be-at-least-sometimes-justified/</nowiki></ref>

	== Approving suicide attacks ==		==Approving suicide attacks==
	In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in [[Afghanistan]] so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>		In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in [[Afghanistan]] so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>

IbnPinker at 01:16, 27 August 2020

2020-08-27T01:16:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:16, 27 August 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=1\|Content=2\|Language=1\|References=1}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=1\|Content=2\|Language=1\|References=1}}
	The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in [[Pakistan]] whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>		The '''All Pakistan Ulema Council''' is a Muslim organization in [[Pakistan]], founded with the intention of reducing sectarian and interfaith violence, whose members include [[Islamic Clerics\|Islamic clerics]] and legal scholars from a range of Islamic traditions. Its head is Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.<ref name="TGuAug272012">Saeed Shah - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/27/pakistani-muslim-christian-girl-blasphemy\|2=2013-03-07}} Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy] - The Guardian, August 27, 2012</ref>

			== Protecting religious minorities and dissenters ==
	In August 2012, the Council joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, and Tahir Ashrafi denounced the ''misuse'' of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl thought to have Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>		In August 2012, the Council joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League, which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions, and Tahir Ashrafi denounced the ''misuse'' of Pakistan's [[blasphemy]] law. The unprecedented move came after a young Christian girl thought to have Down's syndrome was charged with desecrating the [[Qur'an]] and held in prison.<ref name="TGuAug272012"></ref>

	~~However~~, in March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in [[Afghanistan]] so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>		The council also issued [[Fatwa\|fatwas]] prohibiting honor killings<ref>Baba Umar (1 June 2014). "Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree". ''Aljazeera News Organisation website''. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref>, [[takfeer]] (the act of declaring someone a non-Muslim)<ref>No Islamic sect to be declared 'kaafir': Ulema Council Dunya TV News website, Published 5 June 2014, Retrieved 15 October 2019</ref>, and joining ISIS.<ref>"Pakistan ulema council condemns IS militants". ''Dawn (newspaper)''. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019.</ref> The first of these three prohibitions against honor killings is especially pertinent, as a 2011 Pew research report found that "Four-in-Ten Pakistanis say honor killing of women can be at least sometimes justified."<ref><nowiki>https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/05/30/four-in-ten-pakistanis-say-honor-killing-of-women-can-be-at-least-sometimes-justified/</nowiki></ref>

			== Approving suicide attacks ==
			In March 2013, the head of the council announced that [[suicide\|suicide attacks]] are permitted in [[Afghanistan]] so long as [[United States\|US]] forces remain in the country. Tahir Ashrafi told TOLOnews,"Palestine is occupied by Israel, Kashmir by India, and Afghanistan by the US. So if the Muslims don't have the atomic bomb, they should sacrifice their lives for God."<ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks\|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref>

	Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."		Lisa Lundquist of The Long War Journal notes, "Significantly, Ashrafi's rhetoric on suicide attacks is identical to that of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. In January 2009, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a propaganda tape in which a jihadist said that "suicide bombers are the atomic weapons of Muslims."
Line 14:		Line 18:
	==See Also==		==See Also==

	* [[72 Virgins]]		*[[72 Virgins]]
	{{Hub4\|Pakistan\|Pakistan}}		{{Hub4\|Pakistan\|Pakistan}}

	==External Links==		==External Links==

	*[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/03/04/jihadists-suicide-and-nuclear-weapons/\|2=2013-03-07}} Jihadists, Suicide, and Nuclear Weapons]		*[{{Reference archive\|1=http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/03/04/jihadists-suicide-and-nuclear-weapons/\|2=2013-03-07}} Jihadists, Suicide, and Nuclear Weapons]

	==References==		==References==