Those who violated sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi be punished under Saudi laws: Ashrafi

Islamabad: Denouncing the Masjid-e-Nabwai incident, Pakistan Ulema Council chairman and former special assistant to the prime minister on interfaith harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi Sunday said "we all are ashamed" over violation of the sanctity of the holy place.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Ashrafi said the Masjid-e-Nabawi -- one of the two holiest places of worship for Muslims -- had not seen such an incident in the last 100 years.

He said the gravity of the situation couldn't be described in words, adding he was an eyewitness to the situation as he was present over there at the time.

"We're even supposed to recite the durood in a low voice when present in Masjid-e-Nabawi, but unfortunately, gangs were deployed in different parts of the mosque as well as under the shadow of the Green Dome," he said.

He said when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation entered the mosque shortly before iftar, the hooligans loudly chanted slogans. 

"They even continued chanting slogans during the Maghrib azan," he said.

The head of the Pakistan Ulema Council went on to say that the treatment meted out to Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb was also reprehensible.

"The incident is a matter of shame for every Pakistani as the country's image has been tarnished across the globe," he said. 

Ashrafi said the incident was "encouraged by former ministers and PTI activists", as it was all done in the name of Pakistan.

"I thought that Imran Khan, whom I considered Aashiq Rasool (PBUH), will condemn the incident, but I am offended by their statements", he said.

Ashrafi said the Saudi government had arrested the violators and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also requested the Saudi authorities not to arrest any innocent person. 

"Those involved in raising slogans should be punished under the Saudi law," the Pakistan Ulema Council chairman maintained.