ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has strongly condemned the rising culture of mob vigilantism in Pakistan and reiterated its urgent call for the establishment of special courts to address such cases. The decision emerged from a meeting chaired by the newly appointed head of CII, Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naimi, on Wednesday.
The meeting came in the wake of a violent incident in Sargodha’s Mujahid Colony on Saturday, May 25, where an enraged mob attacked Christian families and their homes following rumors of desecration of the Holy Quran. The CII confirmed that desecration of the Holy Quran did occur and condemned both the sacrilege and the violent aftermath.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the CII emphasized the need for severe punishment for all involved parties. “The Council condemned the sacrilege of the [Holy] Quran and those who attacked the Christian families and their homes,” the statement read.
The council underscored the necessity of public awareness and education to prevent individuals from taking the law into their own hands. Dr. Naimi highlighted that mob justice contradicts the teachings of the Quran, Sunnah, and the Constitution of Pakistan. He referred to Paigham-i-Pakistan, a national document promoting peace and tolerance, asserting that state intervention is crucial when individuals attempt to enact vigilante justice.
The CII’s recommendation for special courts is not new. In September, the council, under the former chairman Dr. Qibla Ayaz, suggested the establishment of these courts to ensure swift justice for incidents similar to the Sargodha and Jaranwala cases. The Jaranwala incident, which occurred on August 16 last year, involved mob violence triggered by blasphemy allegations.
Additionally, the CII had made similar calls in December 2021, following the tragic lynching of Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanaa, a Sri Lankan national, in Sialkot over unverified blasphemy accusations. The council stressed that Islam and all religions uphold human dignity and explicitly advise against mob justice without a fair trial.
The CII’s latest condemnation and renewed call for special courts underscore the council’s commitment to addressing the issue of mob vigilantism and ensuring justice through lawful means.