ISLAMABAD: Dr Shawki Ibrahim, grand mufti of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, on Thursday deplored that incapable and incompetent clerics had not only divided but also polluted societies by issuing irresponsible ‘decrees’.

Speaking at a programme hosted in his honour by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr Ibrahim deplored the extremists who were using the name of religion for their nefarious designs and promoting their agenda through the use of force.

“These terrorists have nothing to do with Islam. It is our responsibility to show the true face of Islam to the world and implement it in our societies,” he added.

He said the killing of innocents was prohibited not only in Islam, but in all religions. Islam promotes social life. “Out of some 60,000 authentic sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) only 2,000 relates to Sharia whereas the remaining relates to development of societies,” he added.

Dr Ibrahim asks clerics to modernise themselves, deplores use of religion for spreading extremism

He highlighted similar challenges both Pakistan and Egypt were facing, saying that both countries had suffered at the hands of religious extremists.

“The doctrine of extremism promotes terrorism — which leads only to destruction,” he said adding, “we all need to unite against it”.

Dr Ibrahim called upon clerics and religious scholars to modernise themselves, and expand their outreach through social media instead of limiting themselves only to books.

He had earlier said that the militant Islamic State group, which is also known for his Arabic acronym Daesh, issued around 30,000 messages on social media daily which had a negative impact on the minds of Muslims.

Dr Ibrahim lauded Paigham-i-Pakistan — a document signed by a large number of religious scholars in the country declaring several actions, including suicide attacks, un-Islamic. He announced that he would spread the message in this document in Arab countries by translating it in Arabic.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf highlighted efforts being made by the Pakistan government to contain extremism among the ranks of religious leaders.

He said the Constitution of the country guaranteed rights of individuals irrespective of their religion or caste and creed, adding that people could not be forced to change their religion.

After his deliberations, one speaker belonging to the Hindu community of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa slated descriptions of the country’s religious minorities in the government text books.

“Many stories and references to Hindus are derogatory. These should be removed because it gives the impression that we are less Pakistanis,” Pandit Chana Lal said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the PM Office.

Mr Abbassi said Pakistan and Egypt faced similar challenges, including terrorism.

He said the visit of Dr Ibrahim would further complement Pak­istan’s efforts to fight the war against the extremist mindset.

The government of Pakistan has decided to confer Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam award on Dr Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2018