LAHORE: PML-Q leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi has come in support of Tableeghi Jamaat activists.

“Tableeghi Jamaat is a peaceful Jamaat .. and the biggest representative of the Muslims in the world. Its members are recognised as ambassadors of peace,” Mr Elahi said on Wednesday in the face of criticism the Tableeghi Jamaat is facing for spread of Covid-19 through its congregations.

Earlier in March, the Jamaat went ahead with its annual congregation in Raiwind against Punjab government’s advice that the gathering may spread the virus. The government’s apprehensions stood true as several Tableeghi Jamaat activists have tested positive for coronavirus, resulting in restriction on their movement across Punjab. They have been quarantined in mosques and their marakiz in different districts.

Tableeghi Jamaat members have emerged as the ‘prime suspects’ among potential coronavirus carriers, not just in Pakistan but in India, Malaysia, occupied Kashmir and even Brunei.

Mr Elahi said propaganda against Tableeghi Jamaat should be stopped forthwith. He, however, did not explain his point.

He said it was such a Jamaat whose Tableegh (preaching) had not caused chaos anywhere ever. “I have also contacted Chief Minister Usman Buzdar regarding Tableeghi people’s matter and regretted what happened to them in Sindh and that should not happen in Punjab.”

Mr Elahi defended the Jamaat, saying if coronavirus had spread in Europe and the US because of Tableeghi Jamaat.

“The ‘guests’ who have come here from foreign countries, the Punjab Police should not commit any excesses against them. The police should correct their attitude and the guests should not be treated as criminals,” he said.

He said those people who had been picked from the mosques and locked up in the police stations should immediately be released and shifted to the mosques or Tableeghi marakiz and these mosques and centers be declared quarantine centres and ration and facilities should be arranged for them.

Meanwhile, the Tableeghi Jamaat has brought Mr Elahi and his arch political rival, PMLN president Shahbaz Sharif, on the same page. Mr Sharif has also condemned police action against Tableeghi Jamaat members. He said Tableeghi Jamaat members should be given respect.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020