Prominent Pakistani cleric Maulana Tariq Masood, known for his hardline stance on blasphemy, now finds himself accused of blasphemous remarks and is reportedly on the run to avoid backlash.
Controversial Statements Spark Outrage
The controversy began when a video surfaced showing Maulana Tariq Masood making contentious remarks about Prophet Mohammad and the Quran. In the video, Masood questions, “Why are you following Nabi (Prophet Mohammad) when he did not know how to read and write?” He further commented, “The one who presented the Quran did not write a single word himself and asked others to do so, leading to grammatical mistakes that remain uncorrected because Mohammad was unaware of them.”
These statements have ignited widespread outrage, as Masood appeared to highlight alleged errors in the Quran, sparking accusations of blasphemy against him.
Hypocrisy Highlighted Amid Allegations
Ironically, Maulana Tariq Masood has long been a vocal advocate for severe punishments for those accused of blasphemy, urging followers to act immediately against anyone perceived as disrespecting the Prophet Mohammad or the Quran. Now, facing his own allegations, Masood has shifted his stance, arguing that mistakes are human and can be rectified through repentance, a process he claims to have undertaken himself.
This is a stark contrast to his earlier statements, where he asserted, “Even if someone seeks forgiveness, we cannot judge whether it is sincere or superficial, and they should still be punished according to blasphemy laws.”
Appeals for Understanding and Forgiveness
As he evades public anger, Maulana Tariq Masood continues to release video messages pleading for forgiveness and urging his audience to consider his words in context. He maintains that his remarks were misunderstood and seeks to reconcile with the community he once led in condemning others.
Masood’s situation has drawn attention to the complexities and potential contradictions within the rigid blasphemy laws he once supported.
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