In defence of Maulana Tariq Jamil

Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil was forced to apologise for highlighting a mere fact that media throughout the world spreads false/fake news, which is so unfortunate. This was bias of the highest degree when an opportunist anchorperson asked Maulana Tariq Jamil to apologise for speaking simply the truth. Every media organization works and designs content in accordance with its policy. Even prominent journalists have said on many occasions that media persons, barring some honorable exceptions, sold their souls to the highest bidder throughout Pakistan’s history, and spreading disinformation is part of media tactics in general. It is however, even more unfortunate that religious community, which usually is united in defending each other, didn’t even protest anchorperson’s approach and other accusations made by so-called liberal brigade. They need to be condemned for this highest degree of disrespect shown to the most reputed and respectable religious figure of our country.
Maulana Tariq Jamil is a well-respected cleric in Pakistan. Due to his stature in the religious community, he was invited to make a speech and dua during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Telethon. However, some of his remarks offended a section of the society, over which he even issued an apology recently. Following this unfortunate incident, some ulema, conscientious members of civil society and local celebrities have spoken out in favour of Maulana Tariq Jamil, whose comments in general were misinterpreted. Hamza Ali Abbasi and Feroze Khan have always been his supporters. Both immediately showed solidarity with Maulana Tariq Jamil using their social media accounts. Hamza Ali Abbasi kept his message short and wrote: “Maulana Tariq Jamil is a good man; may Allah bless him in this life and the next.”
Feroze Khan, on the other hand, pointed out that Maulana sahib should not be held responsible for other people’s misinterpretation of his speech. “Maulana Tariq Jamil Sahib should only be responsible for what he says and not what anyone understands,” he wrote. Following the backlash, Maulana Tariq Jamil tweeted an apology to the media. “I sincerely apologize if my conversation has offended any individual or department,” wrote Maulana Tariq Jamil in a tweet. There were several other celebrities who supported him including Danish Taimoor, Saba Qamar, Muneeb Butt, Imran Abbas, Humaima Malik etc. Saba Qamar praised him and wrote: “Don’t judge what you don’t understand please! Mualana Tariq Jamil is a real man of deen. One can understand that women folk in film industry understood his message, and they did not feel offended.
Many journalists and anchorpersons consider them as experts in every discipline and every subject, even on religious matters. There is no dearth of biased and grossly irresponsible anchorpersons and media men who highlight the differences among the pillars of the state; and have penchant to denigrate the armed forces. However, there are patriotic and conscionable elements in media, who comprehend the issues in their true perspective and dispel the impression of present state of despondency, conspiracy theories and misperceptions. Some anchorpersons on private TV channels and columnists in print media try to lower the prestige of the armed forces in the eyes of public, raising doubts about their capabilities of defending the integrity and sovereignty of the country. This must stop because by disgracing Pakistan’s institutions, they are striking at the very foundations of the country.