23 February 2004	Monday	02 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, Feb 22: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Coordination Committee has appealed to ulema from all schools of thought and their followers to play due role in maintaining sectarian harmony , forge unity and keep up the atmosphere of fraternity during the holy month of Muharram.

The committee, in a statement issued here on Sunday, cautioned people that mischief makers used to come out in Muharram with conspiracy to provoke sectarian feelings and pit brothers against brothers in order to attain their nefarious designs.

It urged ulema to impress upon their followers to maintain peace and harmony to foil the hostile forces' designs. It also appealed to the people to exercise extreme restraint and not to be provoked by any untoward incident or derogatory statements and remarks.

Instead, it added, people, if offended, should immediately contact nearest police station, or the monitoring cell set up at the MQM headquarters 'Nine Zero' on phone numbers 6313690 or 6329900.

Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain has appealed to all party workers and supporters not to send him or his family any gift. However, he added, he did need well-wishers' prayer with love and affection for himself and the family. "If anybody wishes to send me a present, he should give donation to the martyrs' fund set up at the Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation,"

PEACE BODIES: Mohajir Qaumi Movement chairman Afaq Ahmad has asked Mohajirs to demonstrate their traditional religious tolerance and maintain sectarian harmony during the month of Muharram as religious hatred could harm national cohesion.

In a statement issued from makeshift Baitul Hamza, he said that in view of the Establishment's policies, Mohajirs should not rely on state institutions in foiling mischief makers' designs and terrorists' plot to undermine peace and harmony. "It is the duty of all communities living in the province to form their own Mohalla committees for the purpose," he added.