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Muhammad Ali Mirza
Muhammad Ali Mirza[a] (born 4 October 1977) 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 educationMuhammad 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] CareerOn 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] 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 attemptsOn 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] ControversiesMirza'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 Deobandi 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 Barelvi 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 caseIn 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 chargesIn 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. NotesReferences
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