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Muhammad Ali Mirza

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Muhammad Ali Mirza
محمد علی مرزا
Personal life
Born (1977-10-04) 4 October 1977 (age 47)[1]
Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan
EducationUniversity of Engineering and Technology, Taxila
OccupationEngineer[2]
Religious life
ReligionIslam
DenominationNon-denominational[3]
Senior posting
Influenced by
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2014–present
Genre
Subscribers2.9 million[4]
Total views639 million[4]
100,000 subscribers2017
1,000,000 subscribers2020
Last updated: 20 November 2024
Websitewww.ahlesunnatpak.com

Muhammad Ali Mirza[a] (born 4 October 1977), also known as Engineer Ali Mirza, or by his initials as EMAM, is a Pakistani Islamic cleric and YouTuber.[5][6][7] A mechanical engineer by profession, he is known for his lectures on religious topics, which have attracted numerous controversies, including a blasphemy attempt in 2023.

Early life and education

Muhammad Ali Mirza was born on 4 October 1977 in Jhelum, Punjab.[1][better source needed] His father, Mirza Arshad Mahmud, reportedly used to work in Allied Bank. Ali Mirza obtained his education in mechanical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila. He worked as a mechanical engineer for the Government of Punjab on the 19th pay scale but later quit when the department asked him to leave because he had become a public figure.[2][8][9]

Career

On 1 May 2009, Mirza's first YouTube channel "720085" was registered.[10] His current channel was created on 17 June 2014.[11]

Mirza gives online lectures on religious issues and runs a research academy based on his understanding of the Quran and Sunnat.[5][8][12][13] His critics claim that he uses derogatory terms for Muslim saints.[8] Many religious scholars and social media users criticize Muhammad Ali Mirza for his excessive 'pride' and 'ego'.

Mirza allegedly opined that present-day Ahmadis are better than Jews and Christians (the people of the book). He also said they are not Muslims and said that his video clips have been presented out of context.[8] He was arrested on 4 May 2020 on suspicion of spreading hate speech towards religious scholars.[14][5] Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and anchor Shafaat Ali posted on social media condemning his arrest.[5] He was later released on 6 May 2020.[15][16][17] According to Ali, one of his lectures was presented completely out of context. He later said that if one starts presenting other opinions in such a way then even the verses of the Qur'an can be presented out of context.[5][8]

Assassination attempts

On 14 March 2021, Mirza survived a second assassination attempt, first[3] in 2017. The attacker visited his academy in Jhelum, Pakistan at a weekly meeting and attempted to kill him with a knife while taking a picture with him. Ali escaped with minor injuries. Police arrested two suspects and registered an FIR against them. The attacker had traveled from Lahore to Jhelum to kill Mirza.[2][18][19]

In August 2023, the attacker identified as Ali Hasan, who hailed from Gujrat, armed with a sharp weapon, shoved the guard, in an attempt to barge into the Jhelum Academy's premises. The attacker was however out powered by the guards and other members of the academy. Meanwhile, a case was registered and investigations were underway.[20][21]

Controversies

Mirza's views on Mu'awiya I, the first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, had made him a controversial figure among the traditionalist Sunni Muslim ulama of Pakistan. He has had a long rivalry with Deobandist scholar Tariq Masood over Mu'awiya. Mirza challenged Masood to arrive in Jhelum and have a debate face to face. In May 2021, the debate was postponed since Masood didn't come in.[22] After many months, Masood finally accepted the challenge and went to Jhelum for the debate.[23] However, Masood claimed that he had tried to make contacts with Mirza, but there was no answer.[23] Masood claimed that he took a very long journey from Karachi to Jhelum for discussion.[23] As a result, Mufti Tariq Masood declared victory against Muhammad Ali Mirza and numerous netizens/social media users called the drop scene of this whole saga as Mirza's defeat.[24]

In November 2023, Mirza and Barelvist scholar Mufti Hanif Qureshi were scheduled to have a munazra (face-to-face debate). On 26 November, Qureshi arrived in Jhelum and went outside of the Mirza Academy of Jhelum, however, he was declined entrance inside by security. Mirza then declined to have a munazra. Qureshi subsequently then left Jhelum and his "victory" was celebrated by his supporters.[25]

Nupur Sharma case

In June 2022, Ali Mirza criticized Taslim Rehmani for badmouthing Hindu gods in front of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Times Now. He said Nupur Sharma abused Muhammad in reaction to that. Rubika Liaquat praised Ali Mirza for his stand with Nupur Sharma on her Twitter account. Many Indian and Pakistani Ulemas were furious with Ali Mirza for this comment.[26][27]

2023 blasphemy charges

In April 2023, a case of blasphemy was registered against Ali Mirza under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. The accusations against Mirza include mocking Muhammad and downplaying the Pakistani legal ruling that considers Ahmadis to have non-Muslim status. His critics claim that he uses derogatory language when referring to Muslim saints and present clips from his lectures to support their arguments. Pir Afzal Qadri, a deceased religious cleric, had offered a reward of Rs.500,000 for the assassination of Ali Mirza in 2023, stating that he deserves to be killed.[28] The accusations of blasphemy are considered serious in Pakistan, if convicted, Mirza could face severe punishment under the blasphemy laws.

Notes

  1. ^ Urdu: محمد علی مرزا

References

  1. ^ a b "Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza". Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survives another murder attempt". Daily Times. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b Butt, Waseem Ashraf (17 March 2021). "Religious scholar concerned at security denial". DAWN. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b "About Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza - Official Channel". YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c d e Asghar, Tarhub (7 May 2020). "انجینیئر محمد علی مرزا کون ہیں اور انھیں کیوں گرفتار کیا گیا تھا؟". BBC Urdu (in Urdu). Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  6. ^ Kayani, Amir (15 Mar 2021). "One arrested after cleric Muhammad Ali Mirza survives attack in Jhelum". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 Oct 2024.
  7. ^ "Which political party does engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza support?". MM News. 13 Nov 2023. Retrieved 1 Oct 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e Chaudhary, Arshad (6 May 2020). "علما کو دھمکیاں دینے کے الزام میں گرفتار انجینیئر محمد علی مرزا کون ہیں؟". Independent Urdu (in Urdu). Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  9. ^ "पाकिस्‍तान में धार्मिक विद्वानों को धमकियां देने वाला इंजीनियर गिरफ्तार". News18 Hindi (in Hindi). 7 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  10. ^ "720085". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  11. ^ "Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza - Official Channel". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  12. ^ "انجینئر محمد علی مرزا ضمانت پر رہا". Daily Dunya (in Urdu). 7 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  13. ^ Faisal, Ziyad (25 Jun 2020). "So You Think Engineer Agrees With You? 10 Times Muhammad Ali Mirza Surprised People". NayaDaur. Retrieved 1 Oct 2024.
  14. ^ "مذہبی منافرت پھیلانے کا الزام، پولیس نے مذہبی اسکالر انجینئر محمد علی مرزا کو گرفتار کرلیا". Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  15. ^ "Cleric released on bail". Dawn. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  16. ^ "انجینئر محمد علی مرزا کو ضمانت پر رہا کرنے کا حکم". Geo TV (in Urdu). 7 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  17. ^ "انجینئر محمد علی مرزا ضمانت پر رہا". Daily Pakistan (in Urdu). 7 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  18. ^ "Religious scholar Muhammad Ali Mirza survives attempt on life in Jhelum". Geo News. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  19. ^ "Islamic scholar Engr Muhammad Ali Mirza survives second assassination attempt". Daily Pakistan Global. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  20. ^ CT, News Desk (2023-08-10). "Islamic Scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza Escapes Fourth Murder Attempt". The Chenab Times. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  21. ^ "Islamic scholar, YouTuber Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza escapes another 'murder attempt'". Daily Pakistan Global. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  22. ^ "Mufti Tariq Masood Vs Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza 'Manazra' postponed?". The Namal. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  23. ^ a b c "Mufti Tariq Masood claims victory against Engineer Mirza". MM News TV. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  24. ^ MM News Staff (2021-10-07). "Mufti Tariq Masood claims victory against Engineer Mirza". MM News. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  25. ^ "Mufti Hanif Qureshi vs Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza 'debate' rules X". 2023.
  26. ^ "Pakistani Scholar Md. Ali Mirza defends Nupur Sharma in a viral video following her remarks over Prophet Md". True Scoop News. 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  27. ^ "Who is Muhammad Ali Mirza of Pakistan defending Nupur Sharma?". Ground Report. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  28. ^ Khan, Amzad (9 April 2023). "Why did Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza get arrested?". PKB News. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
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