PESHAWAR: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on Tuesday tabled the Sharia Act 2003 in the NWFP Assembly aimed at âIslamisingâ the province. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Malik Zafar Azam presented the bill and Speaker of the provincial assembly Bakht Jehan Khan accepted it. Mr Azam later addressed a news briefing and said, âThe MMA has honoured its promise, the introduction of an Islamic system in the province.â He said it was âa historic dayâ for the NWFP.
| A historic day sometime in the 7th century... |
Mr Azam said punishments would be handed down as per Islamic teachings. When asked, he affirmed that the authorities would not hesitate to cut off thievesâ arms for stealing. âIf it come under the provincial subject, this will happen.â He defended the right to appeal under the Hisbah Act and denied that it constitutionally guaranteed human rights violations.
| "Cuttin' off somebody's arm is a human rights violation? When did that start?" |
According to the draft Sharia Act, this law would not apply to individual beliefs of non-Muslims, religious freedom, traditions and code of life. However, the new law promises stricter punishments for ânon-compliantâ Muslims.
| Shia, Ahmandi, and other "heretic" heads and arms are going to be flying all over the place. And I don't think I see any room at all for "religious freedom." I'll bet the definition of that is interesting to read... |
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