ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) has decided that clerics affiliated with it will dedicate their sermons at Ramazan mosque gatherings to “changing the mindset”.

The decision was finalised by the council’s central leadership on Tuesday. On the first Friday of Ramazan, clerics at over 2,000 mosques affiliated with PUC will give sermons on the rights of women.

“This is one of the most serious issues – we ulema have opposed the objectionable women protection law, passed by the Punjab Assembly, but we do not spare time imparting knowledge about the rights of women in Islam,” PUC chairman Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi said after the meeting.

He said people listen to sermons during Ramazan, but most of these speeches are monotonous.

“There is a need to change the mindset of the public and that does not specify in reference to Daesh or TTP only but this also includes social behaviour as well,” Mr Ashrafi said. “We want to spread the idea that all the mosques should focus on changing the mindset of citizens against social ills, and this should be part of lectures and discussions, especially among participants of Aiteqaf.”

Addressing PUC office-bearers and the Ilm-o-Aman Foundation, Mr Ashrafi earlier said that sehr-o-aftar programmes will be hosted at all mosques and seminaries affiliated with the council. He appealed to influential figures and philanthropists to assist them in this regard.

The PUC has also decided to conduct training workshops for Haj pilgrims, to educate them on the formalities of Haj and on the common laws of Saudi Arabia.

“We have come to know that many people especially those going from rural areas do not understand many simple things in that country – leading to miscommunication and troubles in Saudi Arabia. The best solution is to know minor things and respect the Saudi laws during their Haj period,” Mr Ashrafi said.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2016