Sharp reactions over Saddam's execution in UP

Lucknow, Dec 30 (UNI) Sharp reactions emanated from Muslim clerics in Uttar Pradesh on the hanging of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with most of them terming it as ''unjust and unfortunate''.

Noted Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali described termed the execution of Saddam as ''terrorism against Muslims'' and said it was a murder of humanity.

He observed that Saddam's hanging at the time, when the Haj was on and the Bakrid festival was just a couple of days away, was an attempt to terrorise the Muslims.

He said the violence in Iraq would only escalate now. The cleric demanded that the central government lodge its protest at the international platform.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLPB) Vice President Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, however, asked the community to ponder over it in an impartial manner before expressing sharp reactions.

''It was the case of one tyrant killed by another tyrant,'' he said, clarifying, the US was also a tyrant and Saddam was punished for his wrong doings.

Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) convenor Jafaryab Jilani said the death sentence to Saddam was against natural justice, as the defendant was not allowed to present his views. ''USA wanted to kill Saddam, which it did,'' he remarked.

He, however, reminded both the Shia and Sunni sects that they should not fall from to American designs to create disharmony between them.

On the political front, former Prime Minister V P Singh described Saddam's hanging as unfortunate.

Uttar Pradesh revenue minister, making a statement on behalf of the state government, said, ''It is not punishment, but murder.'' Coming down heavily on the US, he said the Pentagon had committed a crime by hanging Saddam and had no moral right to do so.

''The United States had termed the Iraqi leader as 'killer' of innocent people, but what it (USA) had done in Vietnam and other places was known to whole world,'' he stated.

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