Umme Hassan
Birth date19 June 1969 (age 57)
Birth placeMultan, West Pakistan (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
FatherHafiz Muhammad Younas
RelationsMuhammad Abdullah (father-in-law)
Abdul Rashid Ghazi (brother-in-law)
ReligionIslam
Office 1Principal of Jamia Hafsa
Predecessor 1None (office created)
Term start 11989
Native nameأمّ حسان
CitizenshipPakistan
DenominationSunni
MovementDeobandi
Honorific prefixMuftiyyah
JurisprudenceHanafi
SpouseAbdul Aziz Ghazi

Majida Younas (Urdu: ماجدہ یونس)[1] better known by the Kunya Umme Hassan (Urdu: أمّ حسان, lit. 'Mother of Hassan[a]') is a Pakistani Islamist activist, scholar, and principal of Jamia Hafsa, a Deobandi Islamic seminary in Islamabad.[2][3][4][5][6]

She is the spouse of the Abdul Aziz Ghazi, the daughter-in-law of Muhammad Abdullah and sister-in-law of Abdul Rashid Ghazi.[7][8][9]

She was arrested by Pakistan Army Special Service Group during Operation Sunrise in July 2007,[10][11][12] but was later released by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in August 2007[13] and was acquitted in 2012.[14][15][16]

Early life and education

She was born in 1969 in Multan to Hafiz Muhammad Younas, a close associate of her future father-in law Muhammad Abdullah. Her family migrated to Pakistan from Jalandhar during the 1947 Partition.[6]

Following her graduation from a Madrasa with a Dars-i Nizami degree, she married Abdul Aziz Ghazi in 1985.[17]

In 1998, she witnessed the assassination of her father-in-law. According to her account, she and Aziz pursued the assailant, who fired shots at them before escaping in a waiting vehicle with accomplices.[18]

2007 Siege of Lal Masjid

Main article: Siege of Lal Masjid

In January 2007, She and her husband Abdul Aziz launched an anti-vice and Shari'a campaign after the demolition of several mosques in Islamabad by the Capital Development Authority.[19]

Following this, she directed her students to occupy a nearby children's library and then initiated vigilante actions across the city, targeting businesses they accused of promoting "un-Islamic activities." These targets included video vendors and barber shops.[20][21]

On 27 June 2007, her female students from Jamia Hafsa kidnapped three Chinese nationals, who they accused of running a brothel, and seized two policemen.[22] A day later all of the women were released after supposedly confessing to running the brothel and were shown on the television wearing burqas.[22]

On 3 July 2007, the standoff with the government ended in bloody gun battles after which the Pakistan Army including the Pakistan Rangers, and Special Service Group (SSG) surrounded the Red Mosque and Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad.[23][24][25] On 4 July 2007, her husband was arrested as he attempted to leave the complex while disguised in a burqa.[26] She remained inside the besieged complex with her brother-in-law, Abdul Rashid Ghazi, and refused to surrender.[27] During the siege, her son, Hassan Ghazi, was also killed. He was a student at the Red Mosque and the source of her kunya, Umm Hassan.[28][29]

Arrest and release

During the final phase of Operation Sunrise on July 10, 2007, personnel from the Pakistan Army Special Service Group (SSG) entered a room of the Jamia Hafsa where a group of women including Umme Hassan had barricaded themself inside, she was injured and subsequently arrested after an initial refusal to surrender.[30]

On 28 August 2007, she was released by both the Anti-Terrorism Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.[13]

Subsequent activities

In July 2008, on the first anniversary of the Lal Masjid siege, she organized and led the Lal Masjid Conference. The event was attended by thousands of female students from various seminaries.[31][32]

In July 2008, Najam Sethi received death threats after publishing an editorial cartoon that criticized Umme Hasaan for encouraging her female students to kidnap Chinese masseuses.[33][34]

In August 2008, following her visit to Karachi, Sindh Home Minister commented on her presence, stating that there was no "Talibanisation" in the city and that as a Pakistani citizen, she was free to visit. He added, "We were watching her. She is not a labelled terrorist."[35] Subsequently, while traveling to Islamabad from Karachi, she and four of her students were among eight people injured in a road accident near Muzaffargarh.[36]

In December 2008, she was featured in the Al Jazeera documentary "The Battle Within", and was interviewed by Rageh Omaar.[37][29]

In 2011, she was a signatory to an agreement between the Islamabad Administration and the management of Lal Masjid. The agreement allocated 20 kanals of land in Islamabad's Sector H-11 for the construction of Jamia Hafsa, as compensation for its previous madrassa building, which had been demolished in 2007.[1]

In a 2013 statement, she criticized Malala Yousafzai, suggesting her educational background was inadequate. She said that Yousafzai's idolization of U.S. President Barack Obama was evidence for this claim.[38]

In 2016, she made an appearance in the Viceland documentary series States of Undress, hosted by Hailey Gates.[39][40]

In 2020, as a counter-protest to the Aurat Azadi March, she was a key organizer of the "Haya March." The event was supported by a coalition of religious-political parties such as the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Sunni Ulema Council.[41][42][43] and under her instruction, students painted over a mural located near Lal Masjid that had been created by supporters of the Aurat March.[44][45]

In November 2023, she led a protest with over 100 female students against a musical event held at Jinnah Stadium. The demonstrators, marched to a major road adjacent to the Lal Masjid and Aabpara Chowk, where they blocked traffic to voice their opposition.[46]

In September 2024, she led a protest of more than 40 female students in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi. The protesters blocked roads to demonstrate against alleged immoral activities in the vicinity. Their primary grievance was against a massage parlour which they accused of functioning as a brothel, using its business as a front.[47]

2025 Arrest and Release

In February 2025, she was arrested in the Shahzad Town suburb of Islamabad. The arrest was related to protest which led to a standoff over the planned demolition of Madni Masjid and nearby religious seminary.[48][49][50] In response, protests broke out across the city and leading to the blockage of major roads, including the Srinagar Highway.[51][52] In March 2025, she was granted post-arrest bail and released by the Islamabad Court.[53][54]

Books

  • Hum Par Kya Guzri? (), 2008.[55]
  • Tamreen nahwu (), 2021.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Hassan was her son who was killed in 2007 siege[56]

References

  1. ^ Malik, Hasnaat (2016-08-25). "Jamia Hafsa rebuilding: Govt presents relocation agreement before SC". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  2. ^ "Islamabad's Umme Hassan: Female Mobilizer and Jihadist Inspirer at the Red Mosque". Jamestown Foundation
  3. ^ "Women And The Narrative Of Extremist Violence In Pakistan". The Friday Times. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  4. ^ Gall, Carlotta (2015). The Wrong Enemy: America in Afghanistan, 2001 - 2014. Mariner Books. p. 164.
  5. ^ Raza, Syed Irfan (2007-10-10). "Govt to approach SC for review: Lal Masjid reopening". Dawn. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  6. ^ Election Box (2025-03-12). Who Is Umme Hussan? The Truth Behind the Lal Masjid Siege. – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Subhani, Mushtaq (2021-09-20). "Afghan Taliban flag keeps flying at Jamia Hafsa rooftop". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  8. ^ "Editorial; October 04, 2007". Dawn. 2007-10-04.
  9. ^ "حکومت وزیرستان آپریشن سے توجہ ہٹانے کیلئے ہمیں نشانہ بنا رہی ہے: مولانا عبدالعزیز" (in Urdu). Nawa-i-waqt. 2013-08-15.
  10. ^ Report, Dawn (2007-07-11). "It's all over as Ghazi is killed". Dawn. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  11. ^ "Aziz's wife, daughters remanded in custody". Dawn. 2007-07-12. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  12. ^ Reporter, A. (2007-07-19). "Aziz's wife, daughters given in police custody". Dawn
  13. ^ "Maulana Aziz's wife granted bail". Dawn. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  14. ^ Dawn.com (2012-09-10). "ATC acquits cleric and 21 others in Rangers murder case". Dawn
  15. ^ Asad, Malik (2013-01-29). "Clerics acquitted in kidnapping case". Dawn
  16. ^ Bano, Masooda (2012). The Rational Believer Choices and Decisions in the Madrasas of Pakistan. p. 5.
  17. ^ Geo News (2014-04-05). Aik Din Geo Ke Sath-04 Apr 2014. – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Ahmed, Khaled (2016). Sleepwalking to Surrender: Dealing with Terrorism in Pakistan. Penguin Books. p. 143.
  19. ^ Syed Shoaib Hasan (27 July 2007). "Profile: Islamabad's Red Mosque". BBC News. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
  20. ^ "At Pakistan's Red Mosque, a Return of Islamic Militancy". TIME. 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  21. ^ Asad, Malik (2013-01-02). "Umme Hassan wants perpetrators punished". Dawn. Retrieved 2013-01-02.[dead link]
  22. ^ "Chronology of Lal Masjid clashes". The Times of India. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  23. ^ "Profile: Islamabad's Red Mosque". BBC News. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  24. ^ "Pakistan counts costs of bloody end to mosque siege". Reuters. 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2019-06-10.[dead link]
  25. ^ TIME. "Among the Believers". TIME. Archived 2024-08-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ^ Walsh, Declan (4 July 2007). "Red Mosque leader attempts to flee in burka". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Who are these militants?". Dawn. 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  28. ^ tahir.khan (2016-02-08). "Heirs of Lal Masjid operation victims criticise Aziz for 'pardoning Musharraf'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  29. ^ Al Jazeera English (2008-12-30). Pakistan's War: The Battle Within - 28 Dec 08 - Part 1. – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "How Umme Hassan was captured". Dawn. 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
  31. ^ "Lal Masjid women to raise kids for jihad". The Nation. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  32. ^ "Fiery speeches mark Lal Masjid crackdown". The Nation. 2008-07-07.
  33. ^ "Red mist (Red Mosque upheaval)". The Economist. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  34. ^ "Najam Sethi receives death threat from Pak militants for publishing cartoon". Hindustan Times. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  35. ^ "Sindh minister rejects threats of Talibanisation in Karachi". Dawn. 2008-08-07.
  36. ^ "Umme Hassaan, four students hurt on road". Dawn. 2008-08-29.
  37. ^ "'The battle within'". Dawn. 2008-12-27.[dead link]
  38. ^ "A Battle for Young Souls From Behind the Veil". ABC News. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
  39. ^ VICE TV (2016-03-25). Textile and Tradition at Pakistan Fashion Week (STATES OF UNDRESS Episode 1). – via YouTube.
  40. ^ "An exploration of fashion, a grim game, and a thought-provoking TV show". TV Club. July 16, 2016. Archived February 15, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  41. ^ Hadid, Diaa (2020-03-08). "International Women's Day: With Shoes And Stones, Islamists Disrupt Pakistan Rally". NPR
  42. ^ "Aurat March 2020 Marred by Violence in Islamabad – Newsweek Pakistan". 2020-03-09.
  43. ^ DW News (2023-03-09). Rival visions for women's rights in Pakistan | DW News. – via YouTube.
  44. ^ Sirur, Simrin (5 March 2020). "Pakistan prepares for Aurat Azadi March but Lal Masjid clerics call it obscene". ThePrint
  45. ^ Ali, Kalbe (5 March 2020). "Jamia Hafsa students claim responsibility for defacing feminist mural in Islamabad". DAWN.COM
  46. ^ Azeem, Munawer (2023-11-28). "Cleric's wife protests against musical events". Dawn
  47. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2024-09-03). "Lal Masjid cleric's spouse, others booked". Dawn
  48. ^ Sher, Fazal (2025-02-21). "Attack and firing on police van: ATC grants physical remand of Umme Hassan". Brecorder. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  49. ^ "اسلام آباد: لال مسجد سے ملحق جامعہ حفصہ کی پرنسپل کی گرفتاری پر احتجاج" (in Urdu). Independent Urdu. 2025-02-25.
  50. ^ "لال مسجد کے خطیب مولانا عبد العزیز کی اہلیہ سمیت 10طالبات گرفتار". e.jang.com.pk. 2025-02-19.
  51. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2025-02-21). "Seminary students' protest in Islamabad causes inconvenience to citizens". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  52. ^ "اسلام آباد کے ایک مدرسے کی منتقلی اور لال مسجد کے سابق خطیب عبدالعزیز کی اہلیہ اُم حسان کی گرفتاری پر تنازع کیوں؟" (in Urdu). BBC News. 2025-03-01.
  53. ^ Rizwan (2025-03-06). "Umm Hassan, other released on bail". www.thenews.com.pk
  54. ^ "Jamia Hafsa principal Umme Hassan released on bail". humenglish.com. Hum Network. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  55. ^ Hina Mughal (2023). "Radicalization of Women in Pakistani Madrassas: A Case of Jamia Hafsa". Pakistan Journal of Terrorism Research. 5 (1): 25–49 [39]
  56. ^ "Heirs of Lal Masjid operation victims criticise Aziz". The Express Tribune. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.

Further reading