Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri محمد طاہر القادری
Founder Minhaj-ul-Quran International
Incumbent
Assumed office October 1981
Personal details
Born	Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadrii (1951-02-19) 19 February 1951 Jhang, Pakistan
Citizenship	Canada
Nationality	Pakistani
Alma mater	University of the Punjab
Occupation	Scholar, politician
Religion	Islam
Website	drtahirulqadri.com

Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri (Urdu: محمد طاہر القادری‎) (born 19 February 1951) is a Pakistani politician and Islamic scholar of Sufism. He was also a professor of international constitutional law at the University of the Punjab. Qadri is also the founding chairman of Minhaj-ul-Quran International. Tahir-ul-Qadri is a Sufi. Qadri has delivered more than 8000 lectures on various topics including radicalism.

Early years

Qadri studied law at the University of the Punjab in Lahore, where he graduated with an LLB in 1974, gaining a Gold Medal for his academic performances. Following a period of legal practice as an advocate, he taught law at the University of the Punjab from 1978 to 1983 and then gained his PhD

Political career

On 25 May 1989, Qadri founded a political party, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). This party aims to introduce the culture of democracy, promote economic stability, and improve the state of human rights, justice, and women's roles in Pakistan. The PAT also aims to remove corruption from Pakistani politics. Its official website contains its formal manifesto. In 1990, Qadri participated in the national election. In 1991, PAT and TNFJ (Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafria A shia political group), now known as Tehreek-e-Jafria,

From 1989 to 1993, Qadri continuously worked as an opposition leader and trying to indicate the government's mistakes and to suggest ways for improving the situation in the political, educational, and economical fields. In 1992, he presented a complete working plan for interest-free banking in Pakistan covering all kinds of national and international transaction which was recognised and appreciated by all sections of the society including industrial and banking professionals. PAT offices were also opened in major foreign countries.

He was also elected as a Member of the National Assembly for his constituency. On 29 November 2004, Qadri announced his resignation as a Member of the National Assembly. Qadri views an Islamic state as a Muslim-majority country which respects freedom, the rule of law, global human rights (including religious freedom), social welfare, women's rights and the rights of minorities. He also claims that the Constitution of Medina "declared the state of Madinah as a political unit". He also mentions that the Constitution declared the "indivisible composition of the Muslim nation (Ummah)". He believes that "a constitution is a man-made law and by no means it can be declared superior to a Allah-made law."

Long March 2012

Main article: Long March (Pakistan)

In December 2012, after living for seven years in Toronto, Canada, Qadri returned to Pakistan and initiated a political campaign. Qadri called for a "million-men" march in Islamabad to protest against the government's corruption. On 14 January 2013, a crowd marched down the city's main avenue. Thousands of people pledged to sit-in until their demands were met. When he started the long march from Lahore about 25,000 people were with him. He told the rally in front of parliament: "There is no Parliament; there is a group of looters, thieves and dacoits [bandits] ... Our lawmakers are the lawbreakers.". After four days of sit-in, the Government and Qadri signed an agreement called the Islamabad Long March Declaration, which promised electoral reforms and increased political transparency. Although Qadri called for a "million-men" march, the estimated total present for the sit-in in Islamabad was 50,000 according to the government.

Critics have charged that the protests were a ploy by the Pakistan Armed Forces to delay elections and weaken the influence of the civilian government, citing Qadri's close ties to the military, dual nationality and suspect foreign and Pakistani sources of funding. Lawyers for the Supreme Court of Pakistan claimed that Qadri's demands are unfeasible because they conflict with the Constitution of Pakistan. The Tribune reported on 17 February 2013, that Qadri seemed to have capitulated on most of his demands in the Islamabad Long March Declaration.

Long March 2014

Main article: Inqilab March

In mid-August 2014, Tahir-ul-Qadri led thousands of people in hundreds of cars, buses and trucks towards the federal capital, Islamabad, from the provincial capital, Lahore.

On 17 June 2014, a violent clash occurred between the Punjab Police and PAT activists resulting in the deaths of several protesters from police gunfire. After almost 11 hours of standoff, the anti-encroachment squad of the police force launched an operation to remove the barriers from the road leading to the offices of Minhaj-ul-Quran and the residence of Tahir-ul-Qadri in Model Town, Lahore.

As of the end of September 2014, the Inqilab March began, with sit-in protests with allied partner Imran Khan, chairman and founder of Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and organiser of 2014 Azadi March, in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. After the announcement of the Azadi March, it was expected that Tahir-ul-Qadri (heretofore refusing to ally his own march with the Azadi March) allied the PTI's Azadi March with his own Inqilab March. This alliance between the two parties resulted in two parallel marches by Qadri and Imran Khan (with the goal of mutual protection in any civil crackdown).

Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri did not fully join their protest marches nor decline to support each other. On 10 August 2014, Qadri formally announced that his party's political march, the Inqilab March, would proceed parallel with PTI's Azadi march. Both marches were organised to take different routes, albeit closely mirroring each other. It is apparent that the two parties have similar objectives yet different aims and strategies. The announcement of two parallel marches by parties in opposition gave rise to speculation that a coalition between PTI and PAT was possible. The chiefs of the two parties never clearly stipulated a formal coalition; but an informal agreement to support each other was achieved On 11 August 2014, Qadri and Khan both announced that there would be two parallel marches, informally allied together for the dismissal of the government.

On 21 August 2014, Qadri said that the government had not been allowing his workers to supply food items and potable water to the participants of the sit-in.

The Daily Dawn of 31 August 2014 claimed that hundreds of people were injured in the federal capital as police battled throngs of protesters led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

It was reported that Tahir-ul-Qadri led the Eid prayer at Islamabad's D-Chowk. The congregation was attended by Imran Khan and other political leaders, including Raja Nasir Abbas Jafary of MWM. Animal sacrifies were also offered in the name of Allah following the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail.

Main article: Azadi March

Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri did not fully join their protest marches nor decline to support each other. On 10 August 2014, Qadri formally announced that his party's political march, the Inqilab March, would proceed parallel with PTI's Azadi march. Both marches were organised to take different routes, albeit closely mirroring each other. It is apparent that the two parties have similar objectives yet different aims and strategies. The announcement of two parallel marches by parties in opposition gave rise to speculation that a coalition between PTI and PAT was possible. The chiefs of the two parties never clearly stipulated a formal coalition; but an informal agreement to support each other was achieved On 11 August 2014, Qadri and Khan both announced that there would be two parallel marches, informally allied together for the dismissal of the government.

Founding of Minhaj-ul-Quran

Main article: Minhaj-ul-Quran International

Qadri at the Peace for Humanity Conference, 24 September 2011

In 1987, the headquarters of Minhaj-ul-Quran, based in Lahore, Pakistan, was inaugurated by the Sufi saint Tahir Allauddin, who is regarded as the organisation's spiritual founder;

The organisation claims to promote religious moderation, effective and sound education, inter-faith dialogue and harmony, and a moderate interpretation of Islam supposedly employing methods of Sufism. During its March 2011 session, the United Nations Economic and Social Council granted special consultative status to Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Qadri also founded the Minhaj University in Lahore, of which he heads the Board of Governors, as well as an international relief charity, Minhaj Welfare Foundation.

Events

In 2006, Qadri attended the Muslims of Europe Conference in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss identity, citizenship, challenges and opportunities for European Muslims

Fatwa

On 2 March 2010, Qadri issued a 600-page Fatwa on Terrorism, in which he said that "Terrorism is terrorism, violence is violence and it has no place in Islamic teaching and no justification can be provided for it".

Qadri at a news conference in London explaining the Fatwa on Terrorism.

The fatwa gained widespread media attention and he appeared on various international media outlets. On Frost Over The World he told David Frost that the "he wanted to take Islam back from the terrorists". The US State Department declared the fatwa to be a significant publication which takes back Islam from terrorists. Qadri told the American Foreign Policy magazine: "I am trying to bring [the terrorists] back towards humanism. This is a jihad against brutality, to bring them back towards normality. This is an intellectual jihad.".

Anti-Terrorism Camp

In August 2010 Qadri held an anti-terrorism camp for Muslim youth at the University of Warwick with the aim of tackling extremism in the UK. He organised the camp under the auspices of Minhaj-ul-Quran UK.

Faisalabad Public Gathering 2014

On 12 October 2014, Tahir ul Qadri gathered a large number of people in the ground of Dhobi Ghat. Qadri said "I will never leave my fight against this corrupt system in the middle" and "Give me note, vote and support and by God's power I'll give you revolution". He also discussed Martial Law and said if a Martial Law was enforced, it would be due to the attitude of the government.

Lahore Public Gathering 2014

Seven days after the Faisalabad Gathering, Qadri made a public gathering in Lahore on 19 October 2014. Around 70000 chairs were placed in the Minar-e-Pakistan Ground. However, a very large number of people were standing. Qadri said "this is not a historical gathering but a History-making gathering". He said "It will be a referendum against Nawaz government". Qadri said that he would die but would not do any deal with rulers over Model Town incident and he was going to attend the public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on 19 October. "I will not take money of Shuhda's blood at any cost."

Lahore Clash 2014

The 2014 Lahore clash, more commonly known as the Model Town tragedy or the Lahore massacre (Urdu: سانحہ ماڈل ٹاؤن‎), or simply Lahore incident, was a violent clash that ensued between the Punjab Police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek activists on 17 June 2014 resulting in several protesters being killed by the police gunfire. Five police officers remain under arrest. The standoff lasted for almost 11 hours when the police′s anti-encroachment squad launched an operation to remove the barriers from the road leading to the offices of Minhaj-ul-Quran and the residence of PAT founder Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in Model Town, Lahore. Although, Police officials were given a court order by PAT leaders, stating "due to terrorism issue place security barriers in front of Minhaj-ul-Quran and the residence of PAT founder Qadri. But police still attacked.

The incident was broadcast live on various local news channels and there were conflicting accounts of how the standoff began. Police claimed that they were attacked by people inside the PAT secretariat, a claim that is denied by party chief Qadri. In the live footage broadcast on television, the policemen were shown firing assault rifles and lobbing tear gas canisters at the protesting masses while the protesters threw stones at the police for defence.

Qadri strongly condemned the attack and called it the worst form of state terrorism. Qadri vowed to avenge the deaths of his political workers by bringing about a revolution that would hasten the end of the rule of prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif.

The Day of Martyrs

Tahir ul Qadri and his party observed Youm-e-Shuhada(Day of Martyrs) at 9 August 2014 in Tehreek-e-Minhaj ul Quran secretariat in Model Town. A Country-Wide clash occurred between Police and the Workers of PAT. After the gathering of People, He said "Kill all those who return home without achieving change" He assured his supporters and the government that the rally on 10 August would be peaceful while requesting his followers to bring their prayer mats for recitation of the Quran.

Launch of Anti-Terror Curriculum

On 23 June 2015, Qadri launched 'Peace and Counter-terrorism Curriculum' in London, England to theologially counter the ideology of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant . The curriculum features two book, one for students and one for teachers, imams and khateebs. The initiative was supported by former Islamist and liberal activist Maajid Nawaz, and politician Sayeeda Warsi.

Other Events

He has been invited to deliver his lectures by several organisations.

In July 2011, he gave a lecture on the issues of terrorism and integration at the Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia where he was invited by the member of the NSW Legislative Council, Shaoquett Moselmane MLC. Qadri also made appearances on Australian media, where he discussed Islam, terrorism and possible troop withdrawals from Afghanistan. On 24 September 2011, Minhaj-ul-Quran convened the "Peace for Humanity Conference" at Wembley Arena in London where Tahir-ul-Qadri and the assembled speakers issued a declaration of peace on behalf of religious representatives of several faiths, scholars, politicians, and 12,000 participants present from various countries. This conference was endorsed by, or received supportive messages from, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, Ban Ki-Moon (Secretary General of the United Nations), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu (Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), David Cameron (British Prime Minister), Nick Clegg (British Deputy Prime Minister), Rowan Williams (Archbishop of Canterbury) and others. On 30 November 2011, Qadri delivered a lecture at the "Peaceful Future of Afghanistan" conference in Istanbul, Turkey which was organised by the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution of George Mason University together with Marmara University and was attended by more than 120 Afghan leaders.

On 22 February 2012, Qadri visited Delhi for a four-week tour of India. Qadri delivered a message of peace and said: "Terrorism has no place in Islam", while addressing the fatwa book launch in Delhi. People gathered to listen to Qadri along with government officials in Gujarat. Qadri also urged the Pakistani and Indian governments to reduce their defence expenditures and instead spend money on the welfare of poor people. He also visited Ajmer, where he was given a large reception, at which he gave a lecture on Sufism. On 4 January 2015, he declared terrorism as biggest problem of the world.

Publications

Tahir ul Qadri is a prolific author and researcher and has authored more than one thousand book in Urdu, English and Arabic languages. More than 800 books have been published while many books are under the pipeline, passing through various processes of publications. A number of the books has been translated in the other languages. The online collection of his book is well renowned as Online Islamic Library. He is also known as the ambassador of peace as he promotes the message of the world peace and has conveyed his message on the various platforms of the world.

List of Publications

Some of his publications include:

• Translation of Quran into Urdu
• Compendium of Sunna for Posterity (Urdu)
• Introduction to the Fatwa on Suicide Bombings and Terrorism
• Islamic Concept of Intermediation (English)
• Islamic Concept of Human Nature (English)

Works on Jurisprudence

• The Divine Text and its Interpretation
• The Divine Text and its Interpretation

• The Sanctity of Muslim Blood

• The Dictates of the Islamic Law

• Terrorism and the Tribulation of the Kharijites (A Historic Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings)

Works on Hadith

• The Rightly-Guiding Dissertation on Principles of Prophetic Traditions and the Branches of Islamic Doctrine

• Compendium of Sunna for Posterity (The excellent merits and virtues of the Prophets, Prophet's Household, Companions, Saints and the Pious)

• Charter of Guidance for the Muslim Umma Derived from the Qur'an and Hadith (vol. I)

• The Straight Road from the Prophetic Traditions (Promoting religious understanding and correcting beliefs and inner self through Prophetic traditions)

Fatwa on Terrorism

Main article: Fatwa on Terrorism

Qadri at a news conference in London explaining the Fatwa on Terrorism

The Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings is a 600-page (Urdu version), 512-page (English version) is an Islamic decree by Qadri which demonstrates from the Quran and Sunnah that terrorism and suicide bombings are unjust and evil, and thus un-Islamic. It was published in London as a book. The English edition was published in the UK by Minhaj-ul-Quran Publications. Qadri released the fatwa on 2 March 2010. This fatwa is a direct refutation of the ideology of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. It is one of the most extensive Islamic anti-terrorism rulings, an "absolute" condemnation of terrorism without "any excuses or pretexts" which goes further than ever and declares that terrorism is kufr under Islamic law. The launch was organised by Minhaj-ul-Quran UK. Qadri said during the launch that "Terrorism is terrorism, violence is violence and it has no place in Islamic teaching and no justification can be provided for it, or any kind of excuses or ifs or buts."

The fatwa received widespread media attention and was positively covered by the international press.

According to CNN, experts see the fatwa as a significant blow to terrorist recruiting. CNN's Amanpour show added the fatwa summary to its website and declared it to be fatwa for peace, while the US State Department declares the fatwa to be significant step in taking Islam back from terrorists.

Before it had been released, Douglas Murray described the Fatwa on Terrorism, in an article in the Evening Standard, as "potentially important", although he said "A single-fatwa will not change the level of denial and self criticism inherent in so much of modern Islam".

ITV news channel questioned the credibility of the fatwa and asks if it was not by the British government because senior counter-terrorism officials from Scotland Yard and MI5 were present at the launch.

The 512-page English book version of the fatwa, Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings, (London: Minhaj-ul-Quran, 2011. ISBN 978-0-9551888-9-3) has a foreword by John Esposito and an introduction by Joel Hayward, both of whom share Qadri's scholarly assessment that, regardless of any intention, the evil of terrorism remains evil and must be exposed, opposed and condemned.

The Fatwa on Terrorism has been officially endorsed by Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. In January 2011, the fatwa was discussed at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011. In June 2011, Pope Benedict XVI received a copy of the fatwa from representatives of Minhaj Interfaith Relations. The Pope reportedly appreciated that it promoted peace, harmony and interfaith dialogue.

The Fatwa on Terrorism has been reviewed positively by international scholars including Kemal Argon who published a review in the The Journal of Rotterdam Islamic and Social Sciences, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2011, pp. 149–160. Islamic University of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Views

The legal-theological opinion by Qadri creates an impression that there is a consensus in Islam on the rejectors which did not exist in Islamic Prophet's time but came about during the reign of the Fourth Caliph Hazrat Ali (RA) and challenged his authority.

Views on Jihad

Qadri says that Jihad has been hijacked by terrorists. Qadri said in his speech at Global peace and unity conference ""the literal meaning of jihad is exertion, struggling, striving, and putting extreme efforts according to extreme abilities, to counter evil, to achieve good for sake of Allah." and "there is no verse in Quran which advocates killing, brutality and terrorism.".

Vision for a Democratic Pakistan

Qadri said "The US has a population of 320 million with 50 states, 3,024 county governments, 16,405 township governments, 19,429 municipal governments and more than 35,000 special purpose governments. Turkey has a population of 76 million, has 81 provinces, has developed 957 districts governments, 3,216 municipal governments and has set up 34,495 rural governments.

I also want to limit the number of ministries at the centre of government in Islamabad. Power and authority will be devolved from the centre to the grass-roots level. The centre will only keep key ministries to deal with currency, defence, inland security and counter-terrorism, foreign policy, higher education and energy. All other ministries will be transferred to the provinces and districts."

Criticism

Qadri's critics accuse him of being a front for the Pakistan Armed Forces and that he was acting to disrupt the democratic process in 2013.

See also

• Minhaj-ul-Quran International
• The Amman Message
• Contemporary Islamic philosophy
• London Declaration for Global Peace and Resistance against Extremism 2011