Mufti Munir Shakir

Mufti Munir Shakir (birthdate unknown) is a religious figure operating in northwestern Pakistan, and the founder of the militant group Lashkar-e-Islam.

Anti-Munir Shakir slogan in Rawalpindi

Shakir worked in Kurram Agency until 2004, when he was ejected by tribal elders following a mosque bombing.^[1]

Radio ministry

Shakir's fame increased after his move to Bara tehsil, Khyber Agency, where he established an FM pirate radio station. Using this vehicle, he began to promote his religious beliefs, based in Deobandi theology. Among his more controversial pronouncements was his alleged statement that opium is halal, provided it is produced and used for medical purposes^[2][3]

Enmity with Pir Saifur Rahman

In 2005, Pir Saifur Rahman, a supporter of the more moderate Barelvi school of Islam, established his own FM pirate radio station to compete with Shakir's station. Rivalry between the two clerics increased, causing tribal elders to denounce the two in December 2005 for fomenting sectarian tension. Both clerics then went into hiding, with Shakir handing control of his radio station and Lashkar-e-Islam organization to Mangal Bagh. The hostilities peaked around March 29, 2006, when "hundreds" of Shakir's followers gathered in the Badshahkili neighborhood of Bara tehsil to attack Rahman's followers.^[4]

Role in Lashkar-e-Islam

In 2004, Shakir founded the organization Lashkar-e-Islam. Shortly thereafter, he was ejected from Bara tehsil, and turned over control of the organization to local driver Mangal Bagh.

References

1. ^ Shamim Shahid Call for action against gun-totting supporters of Pro-Taleban cleric Khaleej Times, 1 Apr 2006
2. ^ Ghafar Ali Khan Pro-Taliban Group HQ Destroyed Near Peshawar Newsvine.com 29 May 2007.
3. ^ According to the Indian Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Shakir's statements on opium were printed in the Indian Express of 22 January 2005
4. ^ Sonya Fatah FM Mullahs Columbia Journalism Review August 2006

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Name	Shakir, Mufti Munir
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