Push back against the madness of the mullahs

Reuters:

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, on Sunday to show their opposition to a radical religious school which has begun a Taliban-style anti-vice campaign in the capital, Islamabad.

"The people of Islamabad are insecure and under threat due to the activities of these religious terrorists," said Altaf Hussain, head of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, addressing the rally by telephone from London.

Hussain, who lives in self-exile in Britain although his party is part of the ruling coalition, said the religious radicals in Islamabad's Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, and adjoining Jamia Hafsa madrasa were hurting the image of Islam.

"Islam is a religion of peace and it does not need Kalashnikovs and sticks," he told the rally, while a helicopter whirled overhead to provide aerial surveillance and hundreds of police surrounded the venue -- the city's main commercial area.

Moderate Muslims in Pakistan were shocked earlier this month when a cleric announced a religious shariat court had been set up at Lal Masjid to enforce a strict Islamic code of justice, and threatened to retaliate with suicide bombers if the government tried forcibly to suppress the movement.

Lal Masjid's compound has taken on the appearance of a rebel camp in recent weeks, with young men armed with sticks guarding the entrances.

Women, also carrying staves, roam the school's grounds, and two or three men have been seen with guns which the clerics say are properly licensed.

Moderates and liberals, fearful that the ways of the Taliban are creeping into Pakistan's cities, have criticized President Pervez Musharraf for not taking a harder line.

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Apparently the Americans are not the only ones putting pressure on the Pakistan government to do something about the Taliban influence in the country. This is a very hopeful sign and it is taking place at the same time that many Turks are also standing up for a secular government. Around 300,000 turks were in the streets over the weekend demanding a secular government. Not many sane people would be interested in Shari'a hell.

Gateway Pundit has more on the Pakistan rally with photos included.