KARACHI // A professor of Islam known for his liberal religious views was shot dead in Karachi on Thursday.
Mohammed Shakil Auj, 54, the dean of Islamic Studies at the University of Karachi was killed in his car while on his way to an Iranian cultural centre where he was invited as a guest of honour.
His car was being driven down a ramp from a flyover, when “bullets were fired, one hit the professor in the head and he died”, senior policemen Pir Mohammed Shah said.
Another bullet struck Mr Auj’s junior colleague, whom police named only as “Amna” in the arm, wounding her.
Mr Auj, a recipient of a presidential medal of distinction, was known for his unorthodox views and was fighting a court case against his predecessor whom he had accused of circulating a text message that called him an apostate.
The professor was known for issuing controversial fatwas, pronouncing, for example, that a Muslim woman could marry a non-Muslim man, and that women need not remove lipstick or nail polish before saying their prayers.
“We would tell him to be cautious as he was very aggressive in promoting his liberal views regarding the religion,” said auseef Ahmed Khan, a professor and an old friend, and chairman of the Mass Communications department of the Federal Urdu University.
Police spokesman Atiq Shaikh said: “Police are investigating the case considering various aspects, including personal enmity and other possible motives.”
University students meanwhile held a demonstration inside the campus, demanding the arrest of Mr Auj’s killers.
They held placards that read: “The murders of teachers is a murder of the whole society,” and “Security should be provided to the teachers.”
The university will remain closed for three days of mourning.
* Agence France-Presse