Gilgit: Shia, Sunni clerics’ ‘Mubahila’ challenge stokes fears

Islamabad: Two Muslim clerics from different sects in Gilgit are due to engage in ‘Mubahila’, an event where God’s wrath is invited upon who is not a true believer.

The event, according to a letter written by Agha Syed Rahat Hussain Al Hussani to Maulana Qazi Nisar Ahmed, would take place on Friday, May, 21 at 3:00 pm at Polo Ground.

The Shiite cleric said that he and his Sunni rival would jump into the fire lit by the local administration at the venue. “Whoever survive will be on the right path, and he who burns will be considered an evil,” read the challenge presented on the letterhead of Central Imamia Council Gilgit.

Rahat Hussain challenged the Sunni cleric after being invited to Manazra, a religious debate, after the Shiite cleric had said all Muslims should enter the Shiite Islam.

The reports of the challenge between the Shia and Sunni cleric have left local population concerned, with many people from both the sects demanding authorities intervene to avert any untoward incident in the area which has the history of section violence.