Islamists row over beardless nominee

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Islamists row over beardless nominee

Islamic parties made an unexpectedly strong showing

Divisions have emerged in Pakistan’s hardline Islamic alliance following its unprecedented success in recent general elections.
One of the parties in the group has attacked the choice of Akram Khan Durrani as nominee for chief minister of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) because he lacks a beard.

Spokesman for Jamiat-Ulema-Islam (F)
A statement issued by the Jamaat-e-Islami said the central council of the alliance had not been consulted, and stressed that the chief minister’s appearance should comply with Islamic Shariah law.

Under orthodox interpretations of Shariah, men are expected to grow beards.

Wednesday’s statement is being seen as the first sign of differences in the alliance over the distribution of government posts.

After campaigning with a strong anti-US message, the Islamic parties surprised everyone by their success.

They are now the third biggest political force in Pakistan following elections in which no party won overall control in the national assembly.

‘Honest Muslim’

According to a power-sharing arrangement worked out by the five-party Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, or MMA, the top job is to be given to the party with the largest number of seats.

Mr Durrani belongs to the Jamiat-Ulema-Islam (Fazal) group which won the most seats in NWFP.

It called the statement “unfortunate”.

“Durrani is an honest Muslim and has started growing a beard,” a spokesman told the AFP news agency.

A final decision on who will be MMA choice for chief minister is expected on Thursday, when its central council meets in Islamabad.

Test

Observers believe the real test of the alliance will be when its members sit down to distribute the different provincial ministries among themselves.

They are poised to form two provincial governments and are expected to play a key role in the formation of the new federal government in Pakistan.

The religious parties increased their representation from two to 45 in the national assembly and are being wooed by the pro-government PML (Q) and Benazir Bhutto’s PPP, the two parties which won more seats.

The MMA was quick to voice its support for the Taleban, soon after poll results were announced.

This led to fears in some quarters that the hunt for al-Qaeda and Taleban suspects in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan could be affected.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2353709.stm

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Re: Islamists row over beardless nominee

*Originally posted by TUMS: *
**“Durrani is an honest Muslim and has started growing a beard,” a spokesman told the AFP news agency. **

so ummm if this is one of the “must do” thingies according to this political party how come they did not ask this guy to grow a beard first.

So even if thats what they believe.. is this guy now growing a beard for sake of this faith or for sake of the office? :slight_smile: makes you wonder. Further shows how hypocritical can these ppl be.

**This led to fears in some quarters that the hunt for al-Qaeda and Taleban suspects in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan could be affected.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2353709.stm **

well as long as they dont have a control of the federal govt and the military they can do what they want. Defense is a federal issue not a provincial issue. They can ban TV and what nots in NWFP if they wish.

idiots..

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How utterly shameful, that MMA had nominated Akram Khan Durrani for a seat in the Provincial Assembly when the gentleman didn't even had a beard! Astaghfirullah!

And to top off this shameful and dastardly act they even consider nominating him to the post of Chief Minister! Al amaan o al hafeez!

Pakki qiyamat ki nishani.

All the people who are responsible for nominating this gentlemen should be relieved of their duties and taken to task. Mr Durrani himself, should be forced to resign from the assembly until and unless his shave/beard grows to 2 inches within the next 15 days or else he can show conclusive evidence that he has stopped shaving his beard.

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hahah, thats hilarious Faisal Bhai. :smiley:

Good point Mr. Fraudia as to whether that guy is growing that beard for the sake of faith or for the sake of getting the cheif ministership. :fraudia: :maulvidis:

Zindagi eik masail hain na janay kitnay
Chand sajdoon ko na takmeelay ibaadat samjho

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this is very very sad but also concerning because it shows fundementalist attitude from these extremists ... how come they were elected from election by people? why people elect such clowns who want evrione to grow beard? i am not saying because i work for gillette or buy there stock or anything - i dont care what happens to rasor companies! but i remember once talibans said evribody stop tv and stop singing and all womens go inside and all that. in fact i have read somewhere (please dont ask where because I do nor remember source bacause it was long time ago when taliban extremists ruled over afgan) that they also had a ministry for culture ! so now Musha also growing beard? this is bad

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Ibda,

I completely agree with you. :k: Mushy should not grow a beard, and you should finally accept the job offer from Gillette. And ofcourse, people should not elect clowns. That, in particular, is really bad.

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thanks for agreement. only otheres in someother arguments dont want agree even when they know they want to agree! what do you say about that...it takes big mind to accept other persen is right! I am hoping otheres who I am not naming to protect name and identity will take a leson from this.

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That puts Benazir in the freezer for a long time to come. Even if she is absolved of corruption charges, she may not go around with a beard (natural or artificial). Benazir out of PM's race for all times to come. :D

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LOL! This is about as near to policy making that these guys will ever get IMO. No doubt they'll manage to spend most of their time discussing beard lengths and correct attire.

They can do what they want in their own provinces where that stuff might be the most important issue, but elsewhere people have more pressing concerns. The only reason they got so many votes was because of the backlash against the war on Afghanistan.

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Mushu has no beard.Mian Nawaz Sharif had no beard.Why this sudden qualification criteria?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Deekay: *
Mushu has no beard.Mian Nawaz Sharif had no beard.Why this sudden qualification criteria?
[/QUOTE]

chanda, please read the whole thread first. Its MMA forcing its policies on its people. nawaz and Musharaff are not MMA ppl.

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I think MMA coalition will fail for the same reasons that they were different parties to begin with and had multiple factions and splinter groups of each party. i.e. inability to compromise and tendency to creat one's own derh eent ki masjid. ONly thing that may keep them from splintering is the collective lust for power and dislike for the other parties.

I would give it 6 months before there are serious issues within MMA...and I am being very conservative, it can happen much sooner

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so any news on the progress of his beard growth?

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breaking news: durrani saheb was caught in the act of shaving. as a punishment his shaving razor has been confiscated and the cream is distributed to the kids to make bubbles. till last news came in, durrani saheb had a 1/8 inch long beard. alhamdollilah. we are getting close to our mission of making pakistan a (bearded) asian tiger. long live MMA. :k:

:jhanda:

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this is very very sad. you know why?because more and more pakistan news is sounding like olden days of afganistan - baned the tv baned the music and dancing baned buddha statue etc etc. same way it is sounding now excepting country name. i hope atleast after reading warning lesen here musha will understand and immediate call refrundum dismissal of the molvis

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This ties in well with my Beard thread in Religion (reply at your own risk).

Does the state have the right to FORCE something like growing a beard on any individual??

And today, its beards. What will it be tomorrow?

I'm sure Mush wont be growing a beard for these retards. In fact, he'll oust them out of office if they keep up their mischief.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by PyariCgudia: *
Does the state have the right to FORCE something like growing a beard on any individual??
[/QUOTE]

At this point, this is pre-mature to say. The STATE is not forcing anyone to grow a beard.

This is a political party(ies) who is (are) complaining about a Chief Minister candidate that he doesn't have a beard, and he is complying (if all the above is true) due to his quest for the position.

Why do the religio-political parties give so much importance to beard? You got your answer (which you didn't agree) in your thread in religion; and also because they probably can't think beyond that. Why is the gentleman-in-question complying with this demand? Maybe because he is greedy for power. Its as simple as that.

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Yeah, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts all. :)

Zindagi ki rahi talash mujhay
Zindagi kay tamam honay tak

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Hah hah hah hah hah... this situation is, quite frankly, hilarious :D

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so whats the update on this clown? and what about the rest of his buddies?

is he sporting a don johnson circa miami vice look these days? must be the trendiest MMA guy these days? :D