Clerics and religious scholars at seminar highlighted the need to carryout struggle at grass root level to eradicate the menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from Pakistan and from within the Muslim Ummah.
While addressing Paigham-e-Islam Convention on Thursday in Faisalabad, the clerics and religious scholars from different religious organisations vowed to observe 2019 as the year for annihilation of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from Pakistan. Commenting on military courts’ issue, the representatives of religious organisations of the country also stated that the elements who are opposing extension to military courts, why did these elements did not make legislations to reform the judicial system of the country.
Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Tahir Ashrafi presided over the Paigham-e-Islam Convention.
The speakers lauded the efforts of Pak-Force and law enforcement agencies of the country in annihilating the menace of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan. Notable speakers of the convention included Tahirul Hassan, Maulana Izharul Haq, Maulana Umar Waqas Baig, Mian Muhammad Irshad, Maulana Tayyab Gurmani and Maulana Habibur Rehman Abid.
The clerics underlined the importance of carryout a joint struggle for elimination of terrorism and extremism at grass root level. The clerics also pointed out to keep check on religious decrees being issued without proper mechanism and authority. Speaking at the conference, PUC Chairman Tahir Ashrafi stated that Darul Afta Pakistan was being established in Lahore in aegis of PUC to keep check on anti-Shariah decrees. Tahir Ashrafi also lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government for streamlining relationships of Pakistan with Muslim brother countries and also lauded efforts on part of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia for initiating a peace talk process for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He also stated that the Paigham-e-Pakistan draft was a very positive outcome to eradicate the menace of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan adding that some elements are endeavouring to make this draft controversial.
“The Paigham-e-Pakistan draft is a very effective narrative, which has been endorsed by all the religious sections of the country and the government should initiate consultative process for legislation of this draft,” he said.
The convention also welcomed the decision of Punjab government for not celebrating Basant. The participants of the convention while condemning the Sahiwal incident demanded of the government to expose the reality of this inhuman incident, adding that if elements responsible for Model Town incident had been punished, this brutal incident could have been avoided.
The participants of the convention while endorsing the Islamabad Declaration, issued the following declaration with mutual consent.
The religious leadership of the country dissociated itself with any sort of extremism being carried out on pretext of religion.
Any orator, scholar and cleric will not utilise derogatory remarks about other religious sects. Any such orator and cleric will not be considered as representative of any religious sect and organisation.
Any religious sect will not be declared as infidel or any individual could not be declared doomed to death extra judicially. As per the Constitution, followers of any religion and religious sect are allowed to live as per their religious values and culture.
Check on misuse of loudspeaker will be made. Loudspeakers at mosques will be used only for Friday sermons and azaan. For religious gatherings, permission should be sought from respective local governments.
A complete ban will be ensured on hate speeches, hate content and other abusive online material. Any derogatory remark about religious scholars and other notables will not be tolerated.
It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure protection of worship places of minorities living in Pakistan. Strict action will be taken against elements responsible for causing harm to minorities and their holy worship places.
The government should seek every possible effort to ensure implementation on National Action Plan in letter and spirit.
Published in Daily Times, January 26th 2019.
