26 December 2004	Sunday	13 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Dec 25: Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has urged the Muslims to offer prayers and follow Seerat of the Holy Prophet and Quranic teachings.

He was speaking as chief guest at the annual certificate distribution ceremony of the Trust Jamiat Talim-ul-Quran and the Holy Quran Recitation Competition here on Saturday.

He paid tributes to the institutions that were imparting religious education, particularly those who were guiding prisoners in the jails.

He admitted that jails were the academies of crimes and prisoners are released after becoming big criminals. In such a scenario, Islamic and Quranic teachings at jails could bring a positive change.

The CM said that like jails in the Punjab, facilities regarding Islamic teachings would be provided in jails of Sindh.

Dr Arbab said they were willing to eliminate sectarianism and added that anyone undertaking positive and constructive approach would be encouraged. He added that Trust Jamiat Taleem-ul-Quran would be contacted regarding remission of prisoners.

Earlier, the founder of Trust and General secretary Haji Mohammad Rafiq, informed that as many as 1,300 seminaries were operating under the trust and added that 60 more seminaries were being added this year while 200 would be added next year.

He further informed that their Trust was operating in all the jails of Punjab and its annual budget was Rs 60 million.

S H Hashmi presided over the ceremony. A large number of students and teachers were present.-PPI