ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's top religious body on Wednesday called for a ban on hate speech pertaining to religious identity and urged for greater harmony between sects ahead of the holy month of Muharram, often marred by sectarian violence.

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) added that labelling any Muslim sect “non-believers” was condemnable.

“Terrorism and violence in the country in the name of religion are a violation of Islamic teachings. All schools of thought announce their disassociation from such acts,” it said in its “Code of Conduct”, which it wants the Parliament to adopt.

“It is an un-Islamic and condemnable act to declare any Muslim sect a disbeliever and deserving of death,” it added, along with recommendations to curb hate speech and similar material in published form.

The recommendations come as the country prepares for the Islamic month of Muharram, beginning on October 24 or 25, when the Battle of Karbala in 680AD is mourned by the Shia Muslim community, which makes up roughly 20 per cent of the country's predominantly Muslim population of 180 million.

The month is frequently marred by sectarian violence, which has risen markedly in recent years.

The body also called for greater protection for non-Muslims, who make up around three per cent of the population.

“It is the government's responsibility to provide protection to their worship places and holy figures according to the law,” it said.

Pakistani law already forbids religious hate speech but its implementation is close to non-existent, except in cases of alleged blasphemy related to Islam.

The CII is more often known for its conservative pronouncements, declaring in March the prohibition of child marriage being incompatible with Islam and that a man does not need permission from his wife to marry again.

In a meeting on Tuesday, the chairman of the council, Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, said a Muslim woman cannot object to the second or subsequent marriages of her husband.

Formed in 1962, the CII's remit is to advise parliament on the compatibility of laws with Sharia, though its recommendations are non-binding.