Mufti Munir Shakir
Encyclopedia
Mufti Munir Shakir is a religious figure operating in northwestern Pakistan, and the founder of the militant group Lashkar-e-Islam
.
Shakir worked in Kurram Agency until 2004, when he was ejected by tribal elders following a mosque bombing.
, Khyber Agency
, where he established an FM pirate radio
station. Using this vehicle, he began to promote his religious beliefs, based in Deobandi
theology. Among his more controversial pronouncements was his alleged statement that opium is halal
, provided it is produced and used for medical purposes
school of Islam, established his own FM pirate radio
station to compete with Shakir's station. Rivalry between the two clerics increased, causing tribal elders to denounce the two in December 2005 for fomenting sectarian tension. Both clerics then went into hiding, with Shakir handing control of his radio station and Lashkar-e-Islam
organization to Mangal Bagh
. The hostilities peaked around March 29, 2006, when "hundreds" of Shakir's followers gathered in the Badshahkili neighborhood of Bara tehsil to attack Rahman's followers.
. Shortly thereafter, he was ejected from Bara tehsil
, and turned over control of the organization to local driver Mangal Bagh
.
Lashkar-e-Islam
Lashkar-e-Islam , literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant organization active in and around Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir...
.
Radio ministry
Shakir's fame increased after his move to Bara tehsilBara tehsil
Bara is a tehsil located in Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan.In the 2000s, Bara achieved some mention in worldwide media with the founding of Lashkar-e-Islam, founded in the area by Mufti Munir Shakir, and later passed to Mangal Bagh, a local driver.- See also :* Bara...
, Khyber Agency
Khyber agency
Khyber is a tribal area in the FATA region of Pakistan. It is one of the eight tribal areas, better known as agencies in Pakistan. It ranges from the Tirah valley down to Peshawar...
, where he established an FM pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station. Using this vehicle, he began to promote his religious beliefs, based in Deobandi
Deobandi
Deobandi is a movement of Sunni Islam. The movement began at Darul Uloom Deoband in Deoband, India, where its foundation was laid on 30 May 1866.-History:...
theology. Among his more controversial pronouncements was his alleged statement that opium is halal
Halal
Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law...
, provided it is produced and used for medical purposes
Enmity with Pir Saifur Rahman
In 2005, Pir Saifur Rahman, a supporter of the more moderate BarelviBarelvi
Barelvi is a term used for the movement of Sufi , Sunni Islam originating in the Indian subcontinent.The Movement is known as Ahle Sunnat movement to its followers....
school of Islam, established his own FM pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
station to compete with Shakir's station. Rivalry between the two clerics increased, causing tribal elders to denounce the two in December 2005 for fomenting sectarian tension. Both clerics then went into hiding, with Shakir handing control of his radio station and Lashkar-e-Islam
Lashkar-e-Islam
Lashkar-e-Islam , literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant organization active in and around Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir...
organization to Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh , also known as Mangal Bagh Afridi, is the leader of Lashkar-e-Islam, a paramilitary organization operating in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. Several Pakistani newspapers have referred to him by title as Haji Amir Mangal Bagh...
. The hostilities peaked around March 29, 2006, when "hundreds" of Shakir's followers gathered in the Badshahkili neighborhood of Bara tehsil to attack Rahman's followers.
Role in Lashkar-e-Islam
In 2004, Shakir founded the organization Lashkar-e-IslamLashkar-e-Islam
Lashkar-e-Islam , literally Army of Islam also transliterated as Lashkar-e-Islami, Lashkar-i-Islam) is a militant organization active in and around Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan. LeI was founded in 2004 by Mufti Munir Shakir...
. Shortly thereafter, he was ejected from Bara tehsil
Bara tehsil
Bara is a tehsil located in Khyber Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan.In the 2000s, Bara achieved some mention in worldwide media with the founding of Lashkar-e-Islam, founded in the area by Mufti Munir Shakir, and later passed to Mangal Bagh, a local driver.- See also :* Bara...
, and turned over control of the organization to local driver Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh
Mangal Bagh , also known as Mangal Bagh Afridi, is the leader of Lashkar-e-Islam, a paramilitary organization operating in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. Several Pakistani newspapers have referred to him by title as Haji Amir Mangal Bagh...
.