Amidst rumours that Muttahida Masjlis-e-Amal (MMA) might be reuniting, JUI-F Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman has claimed that it is no coincidence that the political coalition shared the same abbreviation as Mixed Martial Arts.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement comes after successes of Pakistani MMA fighters, most notably Ahmed Mujtaba, who is fondly known as Wolverine.
“I was the Wolverine in MMA, because of my looks, the beard and steely resolve that came out of all parts of my body,” Maulana Fazl said while addressing a press conference, adding that JUI-F has put its political differences with Jamaat-e-Islami aside to form the MMA again.
“Sirajul Haq saab is the Mystique of the new MMA, both owing to his slender physique and mysterious nature.” The Maulana also admitted this was due to the JI chief’s constant political transformations and summersaults.
Going back to MMA, the political coalition, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the name was always a pun on martial arts.
“The coalition members were also unbeatable and experts in various kinds of political warfare,” Maulana Fazl said. “Our MMA was also a mixture of bad boys and we all had the swag,” he added. “That is how we survived against military dictator General Pervaiz Musharraf. Although most of the time we were on same side, but still.”
The Maulana continued: “People criticised us for being with military regime but as I said we were tough boys and we knew how to survive in tough conditions and what can be tougher than an army ruler.”
“And that is what MMA all about: overcoming your inner fears and facing tough circumstances with full will power.” The Maulana also confirmed that MMA broke up after Musharraf because the parties felt they didn’t have any hard challenge to face.
This article originally appeared in Khabaristan Times and has been reproduced with permission
