January 08, 2009	Thursday	Muharram 10, 1430

PESHAWAR, Jan 7: NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said the nation is faced with serious challenges of extremism and terrorism.

“The sectarian divisions are being exploited by enemies to undermine our country and there is, therefore, dire need for maintaining unity and harmony among our ranks,” he said in his message on the eve of Ashura here on Wednesday.

The governor said: “I wish that we, as Muslims are able to understand the true spirit of Ashura and are able to derive meaningful lessons from this important historical event.”

“The 10th of Muharram marks the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and his companions for the cause of sublime truth.”

The observance of Ashura throughout the Muslim world, said the governor, was in fact a pledge to raise voice against tyranny and oppression and to hold the banner of righteousness aloft.

The governor said: “There is a dire need for maintaining unity and harmony among our ranks so that we are able to thwart the evil designs of our hidden enemy, and work collectively for the prosperity and progress of the country.”

“With these ground realities in mind, it becomes incumbent upon members of different sects of our society that they shun their differences and biases and work hand in hand as one nation and ensure a better future for our future generations,” Mr Ghani said.

CHIEF MINISTER: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.) and his companions sacrificed their lives for protecting religious norms.

The whole world was unable to give an example matching the supreme sacrifice offered by Imam Hussain (R.A.) and his companions for saving the humanity from extinction, the chief minister said in his message on the eve of 10th of Muharram.

“The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not pledge allegiance to Yazid — a character whose brutality and viciousness knew no bounds — and rose to restore freedom, peace, equality and justice,” he added.

The chief minister said the followers of Yazid and anti-Islamic forces still existed, who through their nefarious designs wanted to undermine the Ummah and lead them to destruction. He said imperialistic forces had always succeeded in deflating the efforts for forging unity among Muslims.

However, he said, the country had the potential to frustrate the designs of the anti-Islamic forces.