Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer
Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer | |
|---|---|
ابتسام الٰہی ظہیر | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 12 January 1972 |
| Parent |
|
| Political party | Jamiat Ahle Hadith (2018-present) |
| Education | |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Ghayr muqallid |
| Movement | Salafism/ Ahl-i Hadith |
| Muslim leader | |
| Residence | Lahore |
Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer[a] (born 12 January 1972) is a Pakistani Islamic scholar. A member of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith and is known for his inter-Islamic activities, promoting unity between the Madhhabs within Islam.[1][2]
He is the eldest son of Ehsan Elahi Zaheer.[3]
Early life
Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer was born 12 January 1972 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.[4] His father, Ehsan Elahi, was a renowned Islamic scholar who belonged to the Sethi clan. He has two other well-known brothers, Hisham and Mutasim.[2]
Zaheer studied from the Crescent Model School and passed his matriculation from there. After that, he joined Government College Lahore and passed the pre-engineering college examination from there.[5]
He then enrolled at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. While there, he also memorized the Quran.[2]
Career
After the assassination of his father Ehsan Elahi Zaheer, He led his own faction of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith against the mainstream group led by Sajid Mir.[6] However, in 2018, He merged his faction into Sajid Mir's faction.[7][8]
In 2003, He was banned from entering the city of Faisalabad during the Muharram procession of Shias.[9] Zaheer was a part of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).[10]
In 2012, He campaigned against NATO's resumption of strikes in Pakistan under the umbrella of Difa-e-Pakistan Council.[11] and under Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa, He participated in pro-Palestinian rallies amidst the 2014 Gaza war.[12]
In 2020, He was part of the clergy that pushed for Tahaffuz Bunyad-e-Islam bill to be implemented.[4]
He contested the 2024 general election on the NA-132 constituency of Kasur, ultimately losing to Shehbaz Sharif.[13]
In 2024, after Zaheer toured the United Kingdom, four mosques were assessed by Charity Foundation for association with an "Islamic extremist" cleric.[14][2][15]
Notes
References
- ↑ "Scholar urges 'positive attitude'". Gulf Times. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "NSS calls for action on charities which hosted extremist cleric". National Secular Society. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ Irshad Bhatti (6 April 2025). Allama Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer Exclusive Interview | Podcast with Irshad Bhatti – via YouTube.
- 1 2 "Clerics to get Tahaffuz bill implemented". Dawn. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Scholar urges 'positive attitude'". Gulf Times. 31 October 2011.
- ↑ "امام کعبہ کی برکت، ابتسام الٰہی ظہیر غیر مشروط طور پر علامہ ساجد میر کیساتھ شامل ہوگئے". اسلام ٹائمز (in Urdu). 10 March 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Alliance in the making | Dialogue | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Thousands attend funeral of PML-N senator Sajid Mir in Lahore". The Express Tribune. 3 May 2025.
- ↑ "74 'troubled spots' in Faisalabad". Dawn. 6 March 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ Ghori, Habib Khan (21 March 2018). "Maulana Fazl to head recently revived MMA". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ Agencies (7 July 2012). "DPC announces long march schedule against Nato supply resumption". Dawn. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Gaza under fire: Jamaatud Dawa rallies against Israel". The Express Tribune. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "NA-132 Election Result 2024 Kasur 2, Candidates List". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Mosques which hosted Islamist extremist preacher investigated by charity watchdog". www.msn.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ Penna, Dominic (27 July 2024). "Mosques which hosted Islamist extremist preacher investigated by charity watchdog". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 June 2025.