Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi is a preacher and Islamic scholar in Pakistan who came into prominence after his protest in support of blasphemy law and against the death penalty of Mumtaz Qadri.
If you don’t know who is Khadim Hussain Rizvi then this biography & profile will reveal how an unknown scholar who gave sermons at a small mosque became one of the most prominent scholars of the country.
Early Life:
Khadim Rizvi was born in Pindi Gheb area of Attock District in year 1966. His early life in this relatively remote area of Punjab is not known but it is expected that he completed his early religious education in the same area.
In 2006 he was injured in an accident while travelling from Rawalpindi to Lahore. After the incident he was confined to the wheel chair but it did not deter him from his usual life.
Khateeb:
Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi held a government job in the Auqaf Department of Punjab Government. He was responsible for Friday sermons at the Pir Makki Masjid Lahore which is located near the renowned Data darbar.
He was removed from his position after he gave sermon in support of Mumtaz Qadri. Qadri was a commander of Punjab elite force who shot Governor Salman Taseer due to his opposition to Section 295-C and support of Asia Bibi who was convicted for blasphemy.
Political Activities:
Removal of Maulana Khadim Rizvi from government job helped him to spread his message to a wider audience. He met different religious leaders and scholars across Pakistan and campaigned to support Mumtaz Qadri.
This led to a political movement ‘Ghazi Mumtaz Freedom Movement’ demanding release of Mumtaz Qadri which was later renamed as Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA).
With support and help of other religious scholars Khadim Hussain Rizvi led the mass movement with members & supporters across Pakistan.
In 2015 he established a political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) as the political front of the movement with the aim of participating in elections. Despite receiving millions of vote TLP only secured 3 provincial seats in Sindh.
Sit-Ins:
On multiple occasions Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi led sit-ins against government. He showed his wide support in 2017 after his sit-in against PMLN government was spread in all major cities of Pakistan.
Crackdown & Arrest:
In 2018 after Supreme Court announced the verdict of Asia Bibi which resulted in protests largely led by Khadim Rizvi.
After negations the protests ended by government started a crackdown against TLP by arrested all prominent leaders including Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri.
Their website was blocked by PTA and Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel were removed on the request of Pakistani government.
Masjid Rahmatul Lil Alameen was also sealed for many days as it was considered the party headquarters.
The movement has lost its structural existence after the crackdown in which thousands of people were arrested. But it is believed that once Molana Khadim Hussain Rizvi is released he will be able to reorganize the party.