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Pakistan minister rejects fatwa Pakistan minister rejects fatwa
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar has dismissed a fatwa issued against her by an unofficial Islamic court in the capital, Islamabad.Pakistan's Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar has dismissed a fatwa issued against her by an unofficial Islamic court in the capital, Islamabad.
On Sunday, the chief cleric of the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), Abdul Aziz, issued a fatwa against Ms Bakhtiar who had been pictured hugging a man. On Sunday, the chief cleric of the Lal Masjid Mosque issued a fatwa against her after she was pictured hugging a man following a paragliding flight.
The cleric described Ms Bakhtiar's behaviour as obscene.The cleric described Ms Bakhtiar's behaviour as obscene.
The mosque and two Islamic schools attached to it have been accused of promoting intolerance.The mosque and two Islamic schools attached to it have been accused of promoting intolerance.
In an interview with the BBC's Newshour programme, Ms Bakhtiar said the photo was misleading.In an interview with the BBC's Newshour programme, Ms Bakhtiar said the photo was misleading.
Moreover, she said, the cleric's opinion had no legal value, it did not reflect public opinion and that she was not intimidated by it. "The photograph was taken in a manner so that the whole thing was not portrayed clearly," she said. "It had the wrong caption."
"In fact I am very proud of what I did, and if given the chance would do it again.
"Under President Musharraf women's rights have moved on considerably," she said, "but we are still in a period of transition and negative forces are not feeling happy about it."
Moreover, she said, the opinion of the chief cleric of the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), Abdul Azizhad had no legal value because it did not reflect public opinion.
"If we get scared by such threats, we would not be able to move an inch," she said.
Expelled
Ms Bakhtiar said the event in question took place last month.Ms Bakhtiar said the event in question took place last month.
She said a pilot, a senior citizen, affectionately patted her shoulder after her paragliding flight in France to raise funds for earthquake victims in Pakistan-administered-Kashmir.She said a pilot, a senior citizen, affectionately patted her shoulder after her paragliding flight in France to raise funds for earthquake victims in Pakistan-administered-Kashmir.
Expelled
Last Friday Mr Aziz announced the setting up of a Taleban-style Islamic court.Last Friday Mr Aziz announced the setting up of a Taleban-style Islamic court.
He vowed suicide-bomb attacks if the authorities acted against the mosque and its followers.He vowed suicide-bomb attacks if the authorities acted against the mosque and its followers.
The mosque and the two Islamic schools, one for women, one for men, have frequently been in the news in recent months.The mosque and the two Islamic schools, one for women, one for men, have frequently been in the news in recent months.
In February, armed students from the women's school prevented the authorities from demolishing an illegally constructed mosque, and occupied a nearby children's library.In February, armed students from the women's school prevented the authorities from demolishing an illegally constructed mosque, and occupied a nearby children's library.
Last month they abducted a woman they accused of running a brothel, holding her captive for two days.Last month they abducted a woman they accused of running a brothel, holding her captive for two days.
Correspondents say it appears the Pakistani authorities are reluctant or helpless to take action against the school's teachers and students.Correspondents say it appears the Pakistani authorities are reluctant or helpless to take action against the school's teachers and students.
But Wafaqul Madaris Arabia, one of Pakistan's largest umbrella organisations regulating the affairs of seminaries, has expelled the madrassa from its basic membership.But Wafaqul Madaris Arabia, one of Pakistan's largest umbrella organisations regulating the affairs of seminaries, has expelled the madrassa from its basic membership.
The group's head, Maulvi Saleemullah, said the madrassa had overstepped its mandate and was providing the government with a reason to crackdown on all religious institutions.The group's head, Maulvi Saleemullah, said the madrassa had overstepped its mandate and was providing the government with a reason to crackdown on all religious institutions.