Naya Daur has learned from sources close to Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza that the outspoken scholar will release a video later today, in which he will explain the charges against him, as well as clarify his situation vis-a-vis the authorities and his critics. Meanwhile, #EngineerMuhammadAliMirza remained the number 1 hashtag on Pakistani Twitter today, followed by #releaseMirzaAliEngineer at number 3. Supporters claim that the charges against him are a sign of shrinking space in Pakistan for any critical commentary.
A clip is circulating on social media in which, critics allege, he had called for violence against various religious figures. His supporters say that this short clip is entirely removed from its true context. They point out that he often provides extreme-sounding examples for the sake of argument.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza had achieved a large following over the past few years due to his lectures on various topics from Islamic jurisprudence, social issues and politics. He has become known for his sharp style of polemics and outspoken criticism of what he sees as weak arguments by a number of mainstream religious figures in South Asia. Some of his harshest criticism is reserved for those who, in his view, promote sectarian or divisive beliefs by various religious clerics. His comments have stirred controversy in the past, with various religious speakers releasing videos purporting to “expose” him.
He is reported to have survived an assassination attempt once before.
To the Pharisees of my religion today: Remember, you will be held accountable by Allah bcz u oppress others for their beliefs. #EngineerMuhammadAliMirza arrest is a wake up call for us Pakistanis. Will we tolerate this oppression of the Pharisees of today? #FreeMuhammadAliMirza
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) May 6, 2020
This man explains everything and deny every Islamic Myth with complete reference of Quran and Hadith. The only Islamic Scholar in Pakistan who is against our conventional "Firqa Bazi". And the arrested him.#releaseMirzaAliEngineer#EngineerMuhammadAliMirza pic.twitter.com/l63aSlGtPH
— Juنaid Raجput (@junaidrajput200) May 6, 2020
He is becoming challenge to molvi system. He is hard to handle when it comes to sectarianism. He is with logics, arguments and rationale discussions. So sad to hear this #EngineerMuhammadAliMirza pic.twitter.com/VGusyNt29A
— Syed Ghasif Bukhari (@ghasif_syed) May 6, 2020
Deeply disturbed by the arrest of #EngineerMuhammadAliMirza
While he must apologise for callously remarking about murder, arrest of a person of his stature sends a very dangerous message and creates a martyr where none should be
Hope he is released soon after due process of law https://t.co/QeYEaxy0to
— Mohammad Murtaza (@Mutaraqqi) May 6, 2020
This man met with every section of ulima and pray behind them without any discrimination for declining the religious sections. More power to you sir.#releaseMirzaAliEngineer#EngineerMuhammadAliMirza@ImranKhanPTI @UsmanAKBuzdar pic.twitter.com/1RUguSSxcW
— عبدالسلام ولید (@Waleedbinazeem) May 6, 2020
A Person Who has discussed almost every sort of issue up till now. Be it fiqh, Be It Khilafah, Be It field of Ahaadees, Be it Asma ur Rijaal, Be It Physics, Astronomy, Biology, History, Politics and what not.
Truely, A Gem!#EngineerMuhammadAliMirza https://t.co/inT19ihLI9
— فيصل إبن رياض???????? (@shaikhfaisal62) May 5, 2020
I think his video has been presented without context. He is a very reasonable scholar and always discourages violence. #EngineerMuhammadAliMirza
— Khizar Farman (@FarmanKhizar) May 5, 2020