Sunni Tehreek
Encyclopedia
Sunni Tehreek is a political Islamic organization founded in Pakistan in 1990 to promote the interests of Barelvi
Sunni Muslims in conflicts against competing Deobandi
and Wahhabi sects.
in 1992 under the leadership of Muhammad Saleem Qadri. Because of its aggressive stance on the refugee population in the city, it was met with opposition by the Muhajir-aligned Muttahida Qaumi Movement
which delayed the spread of ST's influence for some time. During this period some of the central leaders of the ST, such as Saleem Qadri, Abbas Qadri, Saleem Raza
, Iftikhar Bhatti, Akram Qadri and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Abbasi were assassinated.
After the fragmenting and decline of the MQM, Sunni Tehreek arose as the primary opposition to the Deobandi Banuri Mosque, headed by Nizamuddin Shamzai. The Sunni Tehreek strongly opposed the giving of important religious posts to Deobandi
s. Its branch in Lahore publicly declared its opposition to the appointment of a Deobandi cleric as khateeb of Badshahi Mosque
, and other similar appointments.
On Feb. 28, 2009, Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, Sunni Tehreek chief announced the formation of Pakistan Inqilabi Tehreek, the political wing of the party, at Nishtar Park as part of the Janisran -e- Mustafah conference. He said the party would continue its struggle for Muslims and Pakistan. He also criticized the forcible implementation of militants interpretation of shariah in Pakistan's Swat province, whilst at the same time voiced clear condemnation of all terrorist activities which were perpetrated under the name of Islam and vowed to support the Pakistani cause for stability. He heavily criticized the Deobandi
Jihadi leaders, accusing them of being sponsored by Indian Intelligence agencies as well as involvement in terrorist activities.
's regime with "patronising terrorists" and "standing between us and the murderers."
When the SSP's Karachi finance secretary was arrested after the murder of Sunni Tehreek chief Saleem Qadri, he revealed that his organisation received 32 lakh rupees a year from Karachi for the purposes of posting bail, assisting its imprisoned activists and the families of deceased activists. This entire amount was reportedly kept as amanat (safe custody) with one Maulvi Saadur Rehman, head of a religious school in Karachi, and the withdrawals were made through written messages.
Barelvi
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....
Sunni Muslims in conflicts against competing 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:...
and Wahhabi sects.
History
Sunni Tehreek was formed in KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
in 1992 under the leadership of Muhammad Saleem Qadri. Because of its aggressive stance on the refugee population in the city, it was met with opposition by the Muhajir-aligned Muttahida Qaumi Movement
Muttahida Qaumi Movement
Muttahida Qaumi Movement generally known as MQM, is a liberal-secular political party of Pakistan. It is generally known as a party which holds immense mobilizing potential in province of Sindh...
which delayed the spread of ST's influence for some time. During this period some of the central leaders of the ST, such as Saleem Qadri, Abbas Qadri, Saleem Raza
Saleem Raza
Saleem Raza is a former cricketer. After playing in eight first-class games for his native Lahore City from 1986–87 to 1987–88, Saleem Raza emigrated to the United Arab Emirates, for whom he competed in the 1994 ICC Trophy...
, Iftikhar Bhatti, Akram Qadri and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Abbasi were assassinated.
After the fragmenting and decline of the MQM, Sunni Tehreek arose as the primary opposition to the Deobandi Banuri Mosque, headed by Nizamuddin Shamzai. The Sunni Tehreek strongly opposed the giving of important religious posts to 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:...
s. Its branch in Lahore publicly declared its opposition to the appointment of a Deobandi cleric as khateeb of Badshahi Mosque
Badshahi Mosque
The Badshahi Mosque or the 'King's Mosque' in Lahore, commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673, is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world...
, and other similar appointments.
On Feb. 28, 2009, Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, Sunni Tehreek chief announced the formation of Pakistan Inqilabi Tehreek, the political wing of the party, at Nishtar Park as part of the Janisran -e- Mustafah conference. He said the party would continue its struggle for Muslims and Pakistan. He also criticized the forcible implementation of militants interpretation of shariah in Pakistan's Swat province, whilst at the same time voiced clear condemnation of all terrorist activities which were perpetrated under the name of Islam and vowed to support the Pakistani cause for stability. He heavily criticized the 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:...
Jihadi leaders, accusing them of being sponsored by Indian Intelligence agencies as well as involvement in terrorist activities.
Controversies
In May 2001, sectarian riots broke out after Sunni Tehreek leader Saleem Qadri was assassinated by the Sipah Sahaba Pakistan(SSP), a Deoband-affiliated terror group. His successor, Abbas Qadri, charged President Pervez MusharrafPervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
's regime with "patronising terrorists" and "standing between us and the murderers."
When the SSP's Karachi finance secretary was arrested after the murder of Sunni Tehreek chief Saleem Qadri, he revealed that his organisation received 32 lakh rupees a year from Karachi for the purposes of posting bail, assisting its imprisoned activists and the families of deceased activists. This entire amount was reportedly kept as amanat (safe custody) with one Maulvi Saadur Rehman, head of a religious school in Karachi, and the withdrawals were made through written messages.