Hekmatyar’s Recent Remarks Draw Reactions

Some religious scholars and people have reacted towards the remarks of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e-Islami who called the suicide attacks as holy Islamic act.

Describing “Istishhad” as “martyrdom-seeking”, the religious scholars on Sunday said that Mujahid can be called for those who is engaged in battle with enemy while at the same time protecting himself.

The scholars stressed that that there is difference between a suicide attack and having the mentality of seeking martyrdom.

“Istishhad has its own conditions, place and elements; you can’t be called martyr by just blowing yourself up” said Shamsuddin Rahman Frotan, a religious scholar.

Some residents of Takhar and Helmand provinces, meanwhile said that killing innocent people is big sin, insisting that no one should be allowed to call the suicide attacks as sacred act.

This comes a day after Hezb-e-Islami leader Hekmatyar said that suicide attacks are called martyrdom or Istishhadi raids, if it’s meant for sacred causes.

However, he stressed that killing innocent people is “haram” (forbidden), and Islam rejects any kind of attacks which being attempted for such cause.