ISLAMABAD: Some of Pakistan’s most senior religious scholars (ulema) vowed on Tuesday to bring all perpetrators of the lynching of Sri Lankan citizen Diyawadanage Don Nandasri Priyantha to justice.
The promise was made during a press conference in Islamabad by the ulema, who was flanked by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohan Vijay Vikrama.
A delegation of religious scholars from all sects, led by Wifaqul Madaris Al-Arabia President Mufti Taqi Usmani, had earlier met with the Sri Lankan high commissioner to express their condolences for Priyantha’s heinous murder in Sialkot on Friday.
The scholars stated that their visit was to express their condolences for the tragic incident and to assure the Sri Lankan government’s representative that the matter would be handled fairly.
“The incident has shaken the entire nation to its core,” said Mufti Taqi Usmani in his speech.
On behalf of Pakistan’s religious scholars, he expressed solidarity with the Sri Lankan people, saying that they [the ulema] share the other side’s grief.
Mufti Usmani stated that Priyantha’s family would be compensated as well, “even though there can be no real compensation [for the loss of a life].”
The delegation also asked Mohan to convey their heartfelt condolences to the Sri Lankan people and government.
He also thanked Mohan for allowing them to meet him.
Qibla Ayaz, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, stated that the incident will be investigated in accordance with Pakistani laws.
Former senator and religious scholar Sajid Mir stated that condemnation of the Sialkot incident is insufficient.
“We’re with Priyantha and her family,” he added.
According to Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Pakistan’s religious scholars will play a role in bringing the perpetrators to justi
In his remarks, the Sri Lankan high commissioner stated, “All of us strongly condemn the inciden
“Such incidents should not occur not only in Pakistan, but throughout the world,” he sa
The high commissioner stated that he is pleased with the measures taken by the government of Pakistan to address the iss
He reiterated that the incident will not have an impact on Pakistan-Sri Lanka relatio
‘Ulema paid his respects at Priyantha’s memoria
Later, speaking at a conference, Ashrafi stated that ulema from all sects laid flowers at memorials containing photographs of the deceased Sri Lankan manag
“The Sri Lankan manager was our guest and had been working in Pakistan for the previous ten years,” Ashrafi explain
“No one will be allowed.”
“We will not allow anyone to use religion for personal gain,” he said, adding that the premier had made it clear that “hooliganism” in the name of religion would no longer be tolerated.
The Sialkot tragedy, according to Ashrafi, is a source of national grief, and the perpetrators have brought a bad name to the country.
“No one will be allowed to torch someone to death or burn houses […] how long will members of the Christian community be imprisoned?” enquired the special representative.
The incident
A violent mob lynched Diyawadana Priyantha, a manager at a private factory in Sialkot, on Friday.
Workers at a garment factory on Sialkot’s Wazirabad Road claimed the foreigner had committed blasphemy. The accusation was that he had allegedly removed from the factory’s walls posters inscribed with the names of religiously revered personalities.
According to police, a mob led by miscreants beat the foreigner to death, burned his body, vandalised the factory, and blocked traffic.
The brutal murder drew widespread condemnation from citizens, senior government officials, including the prime minister and president, and military leaders, who promised to bring all those involved to justice.
According to a joint statement issued by Pakistani religious scholars, the Sialkot incident was a “violation of the Pakistani Constitution and Islamic laws, which caused great humiliation to the country.”
