Mufti Taqi Usmani urges peaceful boycott in favour of Palestine amid attacks on fast-food chains

Islamabad: Renowned Islamic scholar and former judge of the Federal Shariat Court, Mufti Taqi Usmani, has strongly urged supporters of Palestine to maintain peace while engaging in boycotts, warning against violence and the destruction of property.

His remarks come amid a string of recent attacks targeting international fast-food chains across Pakistan. On Wednesday, an outlet in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was vandalized by a group of protestors who pelted the building with stones, shattering windows and damaging parts of the premises. 

Video footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media, showing the mob attacking the establishment in DHA Phase IV.

In another incident, a restaurant in Mirpurkhas was set ablaze late Tuesday night. Meanwhile in Karachi, over 100 activists from a religious party attempted to storm a fast-food outlet near the M-9 Motorway, but the plan was foiled by Gadap City police.

Ten activists of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were also arrested after ransacking a KFC outlet in Karachi’s DHA.

It's important to note that KFC is not listed in the official boycott roster of the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes non-violent pressure on entities complicit in the oppression of Palestinians.

Speaking at a conference on Palestine in Islamabad, Mufti Usmani denounced Israeli aggression in Gaza and expressed his full support for the boycott of Israeli goods, their supporters, and stores promoting such products.

Read more: After Karachi, KFC outlet attacked in Mirpurkhas

However, he was unequivocal in condemning violence: “Islam is a religion of balance. It does not condone vandalism or harming others based on emotional impulses. Pelting stones, damaging property, or endangering lives is prohibited under Shariah. Protests and boycotts must be peaceful and free from disorder.”

He further emphasized the importance of engaging governments peacefully to fulfill their responsibilities regarding the Palestinian cause.

“Those taking up arms against Muslim governments under the pretense of boycott are on the wrong path,” he said. “Such actions risk leading to internal strife and civil war — a scenario we have clearly opposed.”

Mufti Usmani’s comments serve as a critical reminder to uphold Islamic principles of justice and peace, even while expressing solidarity with oppressed communities abroad.