World

Video Shows Pakistani Killer Chanting Islamic Verses While in Custody

ISLAMABAD (The Blaze/AP) — The confessed killer of a liberal Pakistani politician provided a judge Monday with the names of two men whose sermons allegedly sparked him to act, as YouTube footage emerged of the assassin chanting Islamic verses in police custody and thousands rallied to support him.

The slaying of Punjab province Gov. Salman Taseer nearly a week ago shocked many around the world, but tens of thousands of Pakistanis have expressed support for 26-year-old Mumtaz Qadri, who said he killed the governor for criticizing laws that carry the death penalty for insulting Islam.

That support – and the lack of criticism of the assassination by many politicians – shows the increasing influence of hardline Islamist ideology in Pakistan, a key ally in Washington’s war against Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the region.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against Pakistan’s blasphemy laws Monday, saying they should be repealed because they were used as a pretext for violence against non-Muslims.

“I once more encourage the leaders of that country (Pakistan) to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law,” said the pope. “The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction. The worship of God furthers fraternity and love, not hatred and division.”

Human rights activists have also said Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are used to settle rivalries and persecute religious minorities.

Governor Taseer had called them “black” laws, but he wasn’t demanding they be repealed. Instead, he wanted them reformed so they wouldn’t be misused. Taseer became energized by the case of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who he said was wrongly sentenced to death for insulting Islam’s prophet, Muhammad. The pope also called for her release.

Qadri told a judge Monday in written testimony that he decided to kill Taseer after he attended a gathering on Dec. 31 organized by Shahab-e-Islam, a small Islamist group that operated in his neighborhood in Rawalpindi, just outside the capital, Islamabad. He said speeches given by a cleric leading the group, Qari Hanif, and another member, Ishtiaq Shah, played a major role in his decision.

Police say they are now seeking the two men for questioning.

The court hearing was closed to the media, but a senior police official who has a copy of Qadri’s confession provided The Associated Press with the details. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

Police decided to present Qadri before the judge a day before he was scheduled to appear to avoid attracting the crowds of supporters who have shown up for his previous court appearances, said Islamabad police spokesman Naeem Iqbal.

In his previous appearances, supporters showered him with rose petals, kissed his cheek and shouted slogans in his favor.

The footage that appeared on YouTube showed Qadri chanting verses praising Islam’s prophet as a police officer sits next to him. It is unclear who recorded the video. It was posted on Jan. 6, two days after Taseer was killed, and is accompanied by comments both for and against Qadri.

There was no way to independently verify the authenticity of the video. Police declined comment.

Tens of thousands of people marched through the southern port city of Karachi on Sunday to oppose any change to the blasphemy laws and many expressed support for Taseer’s killer, chanting “Courage and bravery, Qadri, Qadri.”

Amid threats from groups defending the law, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani ruled out any changes to the legislation.

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Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield contributed to this report from Vatican City.

Comments (23)

  • D-Fence
    Posted on January 11, 2011 at 4:08pm

    Oh, what the hell. Let them build a mosque on ground zero. Hell, please build one right next to my house. Peace loving. No, I think not. Oh, that’s right, I’m a racist / bigot.

    Report Post » D-Fence  
  • Matt Labit
    Posted on January 11, 2011 at 5:11am

    Well, this is America. Lets go seek them out in the streets, near the mosques, on the subway, at the beach, standing in line for a roller-coaster, at the super-market. Wherever I encounter Muslims, international progressive types, or anyone wearing a burka or tunic or whatever, I rack my brains to speak my mind about what I see going on in this world, and what I would like to see done about it.

    To do this in any effective manner, in a way as to potentially affect positive change on my neighbors and neighborhood (that’s right you sniveling Commie trolls , my NEIGHBORHOOD, not community: I don’t live in a commune!) a certain degree of tact is evidently necessary. I just try to do my best, like Beck says, to do my homework. Then I am prepared for the encounters where I will be required to stand and deliver.

    Have you noticed all of the Mosques and Muslims moving into and seeking to establish themselves in America ? ? ? GREAT, SO HAVE I. in fact, as a little aside, growing up at a public school in Northern California, my Socialist, erm… excuse me, I of course meant Social-Studies teacher, in the 7th grade, taught, nay, INSTRUCTED all of us on the finer points of Islam. Thanks a ton Mrs. Schlodfeldt ! Now you’re famous ! Now everyone can have a chance to learn how to spell your crappy name. Needless to say this public education debalce has had an extensive impact on me and my life. NOW, what as God fearing Americans are we going to propose to do about it? As a seventh grader, I wrote a paper about the Apostle Paul and his conversion on the road to Damascus; affectively refuting some drastically misleading points that were put forth in the course of her MUZLIMLOVING crap-speech. It was of course an A paper if not a ‘+’ , which recieved, as I recall, a C. Bitch ! anyhow, back to the point. I was not going to jsut give up, write some crap, and be done with it. NAY , I AM AN AMERICAN. I don’t stand for that garbage. I callz it like I seez it. I even had openly-vocal, and at points passionately-loud disagreements with her IN HER CLASS, in front of my peers. Oh, she hated me. She would kick me out of class – which really wasn’t such a bad alternative- and generally glare in my direction; which I would meet with a smug grin. If you can find a point here, GREAT. I’ve already taken mine. I do like Bob Marley, he kinda got it. Get up Stand up, Stand up for your rights ! and the rights of others who would seek freedom from the oppressive chains of Islamic Slavery. Speak up ! they would silence you , infidel

    Report Post » Matt Labit  
  • Bernard
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 3:22pm

    Pakistan is ripe for civil unrest when her population adulates the killer and disregards the law that should punish an assassin. When a nation celebrates acts of violence instead of seeking legal action, this nation is bent on seeking violent means to solve her problems.
    Pakistan’s population by any data hates the US and her presence in that war torn nation. The level of intolerance has led Christians, Sikhs and Hindu minorities to flee that nation. This same population also hates the Gilani led government wishing instead for a theocracy.
    To date the ISI and some segments of the military have given shelter, logistics and training of the very forces the NATO is fighting and with the same breath they are demanding the continuation of 1.5 billion dollars that the US gives to Pakistan annually.
    The Pakistani people will not change their ways until something drastic happens to their society.A bloody civil war and a take over of the government by Taliban agents might just do the job.

    Report Post »  
  • Camo Pants
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 2:15pm

    Peace, love, and guns.
    Muslim 101?

    Report Post »  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:26pm

    Cover him in bacon grease then exicute him.

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:18pm

    It is the religion of Satan. After worshiping the moon, I guess they think it’s a step up.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • butchcoolidge
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:03pm

    The religion of peace, raising it’s head in your community very soon. Do yourself a favor, get yourself a firearm, and learn to defend yourself…

    Report Post »  
  • republitarian
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:02pm

    I’m starting to think that Pakistan is the reason we are still in Afghanistan.

    Report Post » republitarian  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on January 11, 2011 at 4:20pm

      I agree. I don’t believe we will win the Afghan war. No local support, no friendlies over there, too many safe havens for our enemy. I’d love to bring our guys home and just leave those people to their own demise, but the world would be lesser of a place without us. Track down the bastards we need to heap vengence on, deal the death, then come home.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
  • VanGrungy
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:53am

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/oct/11/world.religion

    Ummm. So Christians have been officially asked to accept islam. I guess that technicality had to happen some time…

    Official Jihad can be declared if muslims feel we are being ‘mischievous’

    Report Post » VanGrungy  
  • 912828Buckeye
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:23am

    The crazies are in full bloom all over the world. No wonder the birds are killing themselves. Get your life right people.

    Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
  • Border Ruffian
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:19am

    Would somebody please remind me again why we call these people our allies?

    Report Post » Border Ruffian  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:08pm

      We need to pull out of the Middle East and let all these folks have at it and decide which sect is the holiest and who gets the money. Without the US in the pic, India would probably be taunted in to smoking/nuking Pakistan; Iran would take care of the Wahhabists in Saudi Arabia; all the oil capacity of the middle east would need to be rebuilt and Europe would belly up to the bar and colonize the place. Would it be better or worse?? Certainly different !!

      Report Post »  
  • oldguy49
    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:42am

    ahh…….the relegion of love

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:50am

      More like another group of extremists getting set to take over; in this case it will be as much of the nation of Pakistan as they may be able to grab and to hold. What I fear for, is the fall of Pakistan will leave the majority of our troops cut off in Afghanistan, and would not suprise me if Obama then just up and surrendered them as a lost cause.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • ilovethiscountry
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 10:54am

      My God doesn’t need men to defend him by killing people.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:27am

      @Ilove

      I agree absolutely, God CREATED the earth and MADE us in HIS image and such; we need more people to understand this in their hearts, it might demonstrate just how precious life truly is.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • VanGrungy
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 11:51am

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/oct/11/world.religion

      In a letter addressed directly to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, 138 prominent Muslim scholars said that finding common ground between the world’s biggest two religions was not “simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue”.
      end quote.

      In other words, convert now or watch more of your adherents die.
      A “polite ecumentical dialogue” between a Muslim and a Christian consists of this:

      MUSLIM: (holding his knife to a Christian clergyman’s throat): Submit, pig, or die.

      Report Post » VanGrungy  
    • Muslim in Chief
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Thousands Marched in support of a person, who is accused of Murdering a man who was in support of freedom of speech.

      Religion of tolerance my ass

      Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
    • lionslayer44
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:28pm

      oldguy49 dont forget the religion of peace also.

      Report Post » lionslayer44  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:46pm

      I am sure he is chanting…peace, love, tolerance, acceptance of Christians and all Infidels. You mean its not? That;s what the media tells us about these people.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:53pm

      The bible has scriptures that say things, like love your neighbor as your self, while the koran, says the same thing, but ads the line “until his back is turned, then hit him over the head, tie him up and force him to watch you rape and kill his wife and kids, before you rape and kill him.” Obviously islam is a religion of love, while Christianity is a religion of vitriol hate.

      Report Post »  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 2:27pm

      Islam is to religion what pornography is to love.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  

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