Geelani denounces NC worker’s killing

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Thursday strongly denounced the killing of a National Conference Halqa president in Tral, saying Islam has clearly emphasized the sanctity of human life and that no person has the right to take the lives of others.“The tragic killings of a seven-year-old girl in Kupwara, a retired doctor in Shopian and now (National Conference Halqa President) Ghulam Mohiuddin Bhat,  a contractor from Tral are condemnable . It shows that the crime graph is rising and intolerance is slowly growingin our society. It is worrisome that instead of forgiveness a passion of seeking vengeance is flourishing amongst us and people are behaving contrary to our Islamic and traditional values,” Geelani said in a statement issued here.“Human life has a special place in Islam and our religion terms the killing of one innocent human being as the killing of entire humanity. Even if in some crimes, Islam allows the State to punish someone with death, no person has the right to bypass the State or courts and kill somebody on his own. Such a person is a criminal in the eyes of Islamic Shariah, irrespective of his/her intentions behind the killing,” he said.However, Geelani said holding Islam responsible for “individual acts of murder by Muslims” amounts to “great injustice.”“Just as Christianity cannot be held responsible for the crimes of Hitler and George Bush or Hinduism cannot be blamed for the terrorism of Narendra Modi , an individual act of a Muslim should not be linked with Islam,” Geelani said, appealing people to follow the principles of Islam by showing compassion and tolerance for others.Meanwhile, spokesman Ayaz Akbar said, Geelani will address a public gathering at Masjid Bait-ul-Mukarm in Baramulla on Friday, April 1.