Taliban slaughter famous Pakistani singer who followed tolerant format of Islam in latest attack minority religions

  • Two attackers opened fire on Amjad Sabri's car in the port city of Karachi
  • Sabri's brother, who was in the car with him, was wounded in the shooting
  • Singer's music was rooted in Sufism, a tolerant and mystical form of Islam 
  • Faction of the Taliban said it killed Sabri because he was a 'blasphemer'

By JULIAN ROBINSON FOR MAILONLINE and ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

The Taliban have slaughtered a famous Pakistani singer who followed a tolerant format of Islam in the latest attack on minority religions in the country.

Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on Amjad Sabri's car while he was on his way to a local TV appearance in the southern port city of Karachi.

Sabri's brother, who was in the car with him, was wounded in the shooting on Wednesday.   

The Taliban have killed famous Pakistani singer Amjad Sabri who followed a tolerant format of Islam in the latest attack on minority religions in the country

The Taliban have killed famous Pakistani singer Amjad Sabri who followed a tolerant format of Islam in the latest attack on minority religions in the country

Pakistani investigators and journalists gather around the blood-stained car of famous Sufi singer Amjad Sabri after he was murdered in Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistani investigators and journalists gather around the blood-stained car of famous Sufi singer Amjad Sabri after he was murdered in Karachi, Pakistan

His killing was met with shock and condemnation. Neighbours congregated outside the singer's home to offer condolences to his relatives, while TV channels broadcast recordings of his music in tribute

His killing was met with shock and condemnation. Neighbours congregated outside the singer's home to offer condolences to his relatives, while TV channels broadcast recordings of his music in tribute

Sabri and his late father, Ghulam Farid Sabri, were well-known qawwali singers, a style of music rooted in Sufism, a tolerant and mystical form of Islam which has millions of followers in Pakistan but is opposed by extremists.

The pair carried on a family tradition that goes back to the 17th century, when their ancestors performed for the Mughal emperors who ruled much of the Indian subcontinent.

Islamic extremists have targeted Sufis in the past and destroyed their shrines, accusing them of promoting idolatry. 

A splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban said it killed Sabri because he was a 'blasphemer.'

Sabri was hit by five bullets and was declared dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital while a companion, named as a relative, Saleem Sabri, was in critical condition, a hospital source added.

Sabri (pictured) was hit by five bullets and was declared dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital while a companion, named as a relative, Saleem Sabri, was in critical condition

Sabri (pictured) was hit by five bullets and was declared dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital while a companion, named as a relative, Saleem Sabri, was in critical condition

Targeted: A splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban said it killed Sabri because he was a 'blasphemer'

Targeted: A splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban said it killed Sabri because he was a 'blasphemer'

 Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on Amjad Sabri's car while he was on his way to a local TV appearance in the southern port city of Karachi

 Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on Amjad Sabri's car while he was on his way to a local TV appearance in the southern port city of Karachi

Grisly mobile phone footage of the scene of the crime shot by an onlooker showed the singer's head slumped on his right shoulder and a pool of blood on the ground by the driver's side where he sat.

His killing was met with shock and condemnation. Neighbours congregated outside the singer's home to offer condolences to his relatives, while TV channels broadcast recordings of his music in tribute.

'Totally shocked to hear the news of @AmjadSabri. May Allah bless him with Jannah (heaven) for he praised Him & His Prophet beautifully all his life,' tweeted Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of Pakistan's parliament.

'Shocked and saddened by news of the killing of Amjad Sabri, not just a crime but an attack on our culture and heritage,' added Mustafa Qadri, a human rights researcher at Amnesty International.

Pakistani security officials gather around the bullet-riddled car of Sufi musician Amjad Sabri who was killed in an attack by militants

Pakistani security officials gather around the bullet-riddled car of Sufi musician Amjad Sabri who was killed in an attack by militants

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned Sabri's killing and ordered an investigation. A forensic investigator is pictured at the scene

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned Sabri's killing and ordered an investigation. A forensic investigator is pictured at the scene

Islamic extremists have targeted Sufis in the past and destroyed their shrines, accusing them of promoting idolatry

Islamic extremists have targeted Sufis in the past and destroyed their shrines, accusing them of promoting idolatry

A blasphemy case was filed in 2014 against a local TV station after it aired a show in which Sabri sang a qawwali that made reference to historic religious figures. The case has been pending in court.

Karachi, a city of 20 million and Pakistan's economic hub, is frequently hit by religious, political and ethnic violence.

Paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown on militants in the city in 2013, which has led to a substantial drop in overall levels of violence.

On Tuesday, gunmen killed a member of the Ahmadi religious minority, and the son of a provincial judge was abducted.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned Sabri's killing and ordered an investigation. 

Pakistan

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