An imam of Islamabad-based hard- line Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, on Friday warned that he will declare Jihad if Pakistani government launches operation against the mosque or its affiliated seminary.
The statement came after several hundred of paramilitary soldiers and policemen reportedly had been deployed around Lal Masjid on June 27 to keep tabs on the activities of religious students.
Addressing Friday's congregation, Maulana Abdul Aziz, administrator of Lal Masjid, asked the people to rise against all sorts of vices and be prepared for Jihad, or holy war, as well as suicide attacks.
He said his students will sacrifice their lives and will not compromise on vulgarity and un-Islamic culture and his supporters will do everything to enforce Islamic system in Pakistan.
"Promotion of western culture in the name of enlightened moderation will not be allowed," he announced amid slogans of jihad slogans.
The Lal Masjid Administrator said massage centers and dancing and singing functions and shaking hands with women are un-Islamic acts.
Claiming that their demands are genuine and legal, the Maulana lamented that corruption and other social evils are rampant in the society but the administration remains un-moved.
The cleric alleged that a baseless propaganda campaign has been started against Lal Masjid administration but no body is issuing statement against vulgarity and nudity.
Vowing to enforce Shariat in the country, Lal Masjid managers and their religious students have taken a series of "bold" steps from occupying a government library, attacking local alleged brothel runners and music shops, to kidnapping policemen, since months ago, which have been termed as "unlawful" activities by the government.
