SARFRAZ NAEEMI LAID TO REST AMIDST PROTESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAHORE 000119 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PTER PK SUBJECT: SARFRAZ NAEEMI LAID TO REST AMIDST PROTESTS REF: LAHORE 000115 CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan Hunt, Principal Officer, Consulate Lahore, U.S. Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Funeral services for Dr. Sarfraz Naeemi brought Lahore to a standstill June 13 as mourners flocked from all over the city to pay their respects to the Brelvi leader killed in June 12 suicide attack. Shopkeepers observed a day-long strike while political leaders unanimously condemned the attack. End Summary. - - - Thousands pay respects to Naeemi - - - ¶2. (SBU) Funeral services for Dr. Allama Sarfraz Naeemi, the Brelvi leader who died in a targeted suicide attack June 12, attracted thousands of worshippers under tight security. Dr. Naeemi's son and designated successor, Raghab Sarfraz, led the prayers. After the funeral, a helicopter transported him to Jamia Naeemia madrassah, where he received a guard of honor before burial next to his father on the premises of Jamia Naeemia. - - - Leaders from all parties condemn attack - - - ¶3. (SBU) Because police advised prominent leaders to stay away from the funeral, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Federal Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kamzi and Member of National Assembly Sahibzada Fazal Karim were the most senior politicians who attended the ceremony. Before the funeral, Punjab Governor Salman Tasser offered condolences to Dr. Naeemi's son and told the media, "the late Dr. Naeemi was a great religious scholar and he rendered meritorious services for the cause of the country and the religion." In a condolence message, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Naeemi was held in great esteem in religious circles and that his teachings would long be remembered. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif also condemned the attacks, stating "the killers of Dr. Mufti Sarfraz Naaemi have proved themselves as enemies of Islam and Pakistan through such a nefarious act." Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Rana Muhammad Iqbal called Naeemi a "symbol of unity among all sects." Pakistan Muslim League leader Chaudhry Shujjat Hussain also expressed profound grief over the loss, claiming that Naeemi was the "undisputed leader of Ulema fighting against evils by showing the true path of Allah Almighty to Muslims", according to the press. - - - Convention held at Jamia Naeemia - - - ¶4. (SBU) After the funeral, political and religious leaders gathered at Jamia Naeemia madrassah in central Lahore to pay tribute to Dr. Naeemi and his work. The Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi condemned the killing in the press and stated that the government would wipe out terrorists who spread hate throughout the country. Pervaiz Malik, Senior Political Assistant to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, called Naeemi a "national asset" who preached unity and harmony. According to the press, Malik also stated that now is the time for Muslims to unite and not concede to the wishes of the terrorists to spread sectarian violence. Sunni organizations such as Jamiat Ahle Sunnat and Sunni Tehrik condemned the killing of Naeemi and chanted anti-Taliban slogans. - - - Protests across Punjab - - - ¶5. (SBU) In response to the killing, protestors took to the streets across Punjab June 13-14. In Burewala, Lalamusa and Hafizabad traders observed strikes and sit-ins closed roads. In Lalamusa, Gujrat district, protestors staged a sit-in, blocking the Grand Trunk Road. They chanted slogans against the U.S. and Taliban and exhorted the armed forces, according to press. In Vehari district religious scholars led by district president Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Rana Abudl Ghaffar Qadri held a condolence meeting. Paying glowing tribute to Naeemi, they stated that his death only strengthened the resolve of the nation to fight against militants, according to press. ¶6. (C) Comment: The murder of Dr. Sarfraz Naeemi has so far served to galvanize politicians and moderate Pakistanis against militant extremism. While Dr. Naeemi's Brelvi followers have taken to the streets, the suicide attack has prompted other politicians and religious leaders to speak out against the Taliban. While the targeted killing could exacerbate the division between Brelvis and Deobandis, Lahore's residents have LAHORE 00000119 002 OF 002 unanimously and publicly condemned the violence. HUNT