ISLAMABAD: Sectarian strife and persecution of minorities are among the most serious problems afflicting Pakistan today. However, judging by the measures being taken by the newly renamed Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, it appears that those at the helm of affairs lack understanding of the task at hand.

At the beginning of the ongoing sitting of the National Assembly on Monday Parveen Masood Bhatti of the ruling PML-N, in a well-worded question, asked the Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousaf about the steps being taken by the government to tackle sectarianism in the country.

However, Sardar Yousuf’s response to the question did not inspire confidence, as he could only mention a few annual events and the setting up of a couple of committees.


When asked about measures being taken, religious affairs and interfaith harmony minister only names annual events and committees


The minister, in his written reply, said his ministry had set up a national committee on sectarian harmony to control sectarianism and promote tolerance. However, the minister failed to outline how the committee was working towards achieving its goals.

Among the other measures, the minister believed were proving worthwhile in promoting religious tolerance, was the annual National Seerat Conference, organised by the ministry on 12th Rabiul Awwal in Islamabad.

These conferences, the minister claimed, provided a forum to the participating scholars and researchers to present their ideas and thoughts on characteristics and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said that the themes of the conference are also instrumental to promoting sectarian harmony and brotherhood among the general population.

Moreover, the minister highlighted that competitions for books on the teachings and characteristics of the Holy Prophet and naats were organised in national, regional and international languages and said that such events allow for teachings of the Holy Prophet to be disseminated.

He further said that books on the Holy Prophet’s teachings are published and distributed among libraries, institutions and sent to individuals. The national Seerat conference is given coverage in print and electronic media every year to promote sectarian harmony in the country.

But the minister in his response did mention his regular meetings with religious leaders from all Muslim sects in big cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad which are aimed at promoting sectarian harmony.

The government’s decision to set up an Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen committee at the federal and provincial levels, the minister said, would go a long way in promoting religious harmony within the country.

“The Ulema and Mashaikh have great influence on the public and can play a role in persuading the public towards tolerance and harmony which are necessary for economic stability of the country,” said the minister.

He pointed out that the ministry has prepared a calendar with the same timings of Azaan for all sects and has sent this calendar to all the mosques in Islamabad. However, he did not discuss if the new timings were being observed.

Discussing the government’s failure to take effective measures on the issue of sectarianism, Dr Arif Alvi from the PTI said “Unfortunately, as a nation we are not doing enough to promote tolerance. The government has failed to provide leadership on such critical issues.”

Referring to the much talked about national action plan against militancy, Dr Alvi said, building a counter narrative against extremism was key to the success of this plan. “But, I do not see this being done,” he said.

When a woman member of the National Assembly, from the opposition benches was asked to comment on the issue, she said the PML-N leadership was known to lean towards the right wing. “I am not hopeful for anything fruitful happening on the issue of religious harmony,” she said.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2015

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