YouSaid · the spoken record

Zia-ul-Haq

lines on the record
59
first
1980-09-24
most recent
1980-09-24
sittings or episodes
1
sources
un-general-debate

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  1. “The confrontation of civilizations and faiths in the past did not lead to the annihilation of the human race because, mercifully, the means of mass destruction were limited. Today we have stepped into an age wherein humanity has at its disposal the means of destroying itself several times over. The world can no longer afford the luxury of confrontation and wars. Mankind needs peace. Let us all try to achieve peace within and peace without. 13. There is yet another form of confrontation, besides the nuclear arms race, that threatens human survival. It is the confrontation between man's selfishness and nature. His insatiable pursuit of material comforts has led him to reckless destruction of the natural environment.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  2. “The Holy Koran says: "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you; but you do not begin the hostilities; for Allah does not love aggression." The Islamic concept of jihad epitomizes the precepts so explicitly enunciated in those verses from the Holy Koran. There is, indeed, an element of struggle in jihad—a continuous struggle, a constant striving, to lead life in its totality in the light of the message of the Holy Koran and in the tradition of the Prophet of Islam. 12. The Islamic message of universal brotherhood, peace and equity is of eternal value and is more than ever relevant to the conditions prevailing in today's world. Ever since the birth of this world man has had his share of conflicts and difficulties.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  3. “The intercommunal peace and harmony prevailing during the period of more than 1,000 years of Islamic ascendancy stands in sharp contrast to the present day racial arrogance, discrimination and persecution which are practised in certain parts of the globe today. 11. The true foundation of the peace and tranquillity which characterized the prime period of Islamic ascendancy lies in the great Islamic virtues symbolized, in particular, by the concept of universal brotherhood, tolerance and respect for the sanctity of life. The Holy Koran says: "He who slays one human being, it is as if he had slain all mankind; he who saves one human being, it is as if he had saved all mankind." Islam specifically forbids wars of aggression and permits recourse to arms only in self-defence.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  4. “Speaking as a humble believer, I am particularly conscious of the Islamic injunction to rise above race, colour and creed and to perceive fellow human beings in terms of universal brotherhood. Islam, by its very definition, is a religion of peace and submission to the divine will. It demands of its followers that they strive, individually as well as collectively, for the creation of a human society based on justice and equality. 10. It is most appropriate for me on such an occasion and before such a distinguished audience representing the entire world community to speak of the Islamic virtues of tolerance and compassion which brought about a synthesis of civilizations and a balanced intermingling of peoples of diverse faiths and beliefs. Islam rejects narrow nationalism, parochialism and racial elitism.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  5. “I do so with deep humility in response to the mandate conferred upon me by the Eleventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, which Pakistan was privileged to host. 7. I am grateful to you, Mr. President, for your kind words of welcome and I take this opportunity to convey to you my personal congratulations and those of the Government and the people of Pakistan on your election as President of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly. 8. To the Secretary General I wish to express our profound admiration for the qualities and experience which he possesses in such abundant measure. During his two terms of office, he has been called upon to deal with some of the most difficult problems which the world Organization has had to face. He has done so with great distinction, and we wish him continued success in the future. 9.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  6. “Thus the founding of the first Islamic State in Medina represented, on the one hand, the rejection of the suffocating environment of bigotry, intolerance, tyranny, oppression and moral turpitude and, on the other hand, the determination of the new-born Islamic community to promote understanding, tolerance, brotherhood and freedom as imperatives of State policy. From then on the world was to witness, emanating in succession from Medina, developments of monumental significance in the history of mankind. 6. It is a great honour for me and my country that I have been given this opportunity to address the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly, on behalf of the 900 million fellow Muslims in commemoration of such an epoch making event in human history.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  7. “Together, the two communities formed the nucleus of the Islamic Ummah, or the great brotherhood of Islam. The idea embodied in this concept served as a beacon for humanity at large. 4. Leaving his place of birth, the home of his ancestors, the kith and kin to whom he was deeply attached, was undoubtedly a great ordeal for the Prophet. With his reputation for unimpeachable integrity—he was called by everyone alike "Al-Amin", The Trustworthy. His gentle disposition and nobility of character endeared him to one and all. He could have stayed on in Mecca as a highly respectable member of the leading Hashemite clan to which he belonged, if only he would stop preaching what God commanded him to preach. His refusal to do so turned the hostility of the people of Mecca into unbridled fury. 5.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  8. “That event was the Hegira, or the great departure of Prophet Mohammed—peace be upon him—with a small group of devoted followers from his place of birth, Mecca, for the city over 400 kilometres away, the city of Medina. The departure for Medina was chosen as the starting point of the Islamic calendar because it marked the founding of the Islamic polity. 3. While in Mecca Islam emerged as a moral force; it was Medina which had the honour of being the cradle of the first Islamic State under the guidance of the Prophet himself. That State was founded on the basis of the universally applicable moral principles revealed in the Koran. This first Islamic policy symbolized the happy blending of the citizens of Medina—called Ansars, or the Helpers—and the Muhajireen, or the Refugees, from Mecca. A union of great importance had thus emerged.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)

  9. “Today the world of Islam is on the threshold of the fifteenth century of its glorious and eventful history. Another 40 days will usher in the beginning of a new Islamic century. Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the fourteen hundredth anniversary of a unique event, which was chosen by the Second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar Ibn al-Khattab—may God be pleased with him—as the beginning of the Islamic Hegira calendar. The Hegira calendar commemorates neither the Prophet's birthday nor the time when the message of God was first revealed to him. It commemorates an event which was to become a turning point in the evolution of Islam.”

    1980-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 35 (1980)