ISLAMABAD: Just over two years ago Islamabad’s famous Red Mosque and neighboring Jamia Hafza became the last battle for then-President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The defiance of a so-called “Red Brigade,” or other political compulsions forced Musharraf to go for a military operation. His military skill was for the first time exposed when he tried to kill a mosquito with a cannon.
In an interview with Arab News, the head of the Red Mosque, imam Maulana Abdul Aziz, talked about changes occuring at the mosque.
This time members of the Taleban were not guarding him; instead it was members of Punjab’s elite police force.
The mosque is being renovated. The internal and external decoration is impressive. Who is doing all the work?
Pakistan’s leading builder and estate owner Malik Riaz is financing the entire repair and rebuilding work. He has spent over 10 million rupees and more work has to be done.
Malik Riaz is a close friend of President Asif Ali Zardari. Does that mean the government is helping you?
No, not the government. Malik Riaz is doing it on a voluntary basis by the instructions of President Zardari.
I hope you do not encourage terrorists to take shelter here anymore.
We do not preach violence and terrorism. This is one of the reasons the gatherings at prayers are getting larger and larger.
What about Jamia Hafza?
The government has offered to provide us an alternative chunk of land in I-8 or H-8 sectors of Islamabad.
