What is Takfirism? Here's why Asaduddin Owaisi called Pakistan its epicentre during Algeria visit

AIMIM chief Asaduddin called Pakistan the epicentre of Takfirism, saying the rogue nation should be put back in the FATF Grey List in the interest of world peace.

Owaisi was speaking in Algeria where the all-party delegation engaged with the African country's leadership as part of India's global outreach to expose Pakistan and emphasise India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

Calling Pakistan the epicentre of Takfirism, Owaisi said there is no difference in the ideology between the terrorist groups in Pakistan and global terror outfits like the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. "They believe that they have a religious sanction, which is completely wrong. Islam does not allow the killing of any person, and unfortunately, that is their ideology," the AIMIM chief pointed out.

What is Takfirism?

Takfirism refers to ideology that calls for killing of fellow Muslims who are seen as an apostate of unbeliever. However, those who wrongly declare a Muslim as apostate is considered unbelievers themselves.

The Islamic State has declared Shia and Sufi Muslims as "takfir". In Pakistan, several Ahmadiyyas have been killed by terrorists in the name of takfirism for denying the basic tenets of Islam.

Algeria a victim of Takfirism

Algeria was itself a victim of Takfirism during the civil war between 1991 and 2002 when hundreds of civilians were killed by Islamist groups. The GIA (Armed Islamic Group of Algeria), an Islamist militant group, declared takfir on rivals during the Algerian civil war and massacred hundreds of innocent civilians in the name of religion. The GIA chief Antar Zouabri later claimed responsibility for some of these massacres, saying it was an offering to God and declared those who fight against the GIA as 'takfir'. "Except for those who are with us, all others are apostates and deserving of death," Zouabri said.

Pakistan a threat to South Asia

Owaisi said Pakistan should be brought back in the FATF Grey List, saying, "It’s not only a question of South Asia. We are the 4th largest economy. What will happen? Do you want all this carnage to spread to different parts of South Asia? No. It is in the interest of world peace to control Pakistan, which is the main sponsor of terrorism."

He recalled that terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi became a father to a son while in prison but his trial began immediately after Pakistan was back in Grey list. He said once Pakistan is back in the Grey List, terror acts in India will come down. “We have the 2018 experience when Algeria and other countries helped India," he added.

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