IS is anti-Islamic: Ulema Council

Published October 2, 2014
The image shows IS militants holding guns. — AFP file photo
The image shows IS militants holding guns. — AFP file photo

LAHORE: Terming killing of innocent people against the teachings of Islam, the Pakistan Ulema Council has appealed to the youth not to join such extremist organisations like Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which promote violence.

The council has decided to approach the great Darul Iftas (institutions for issuing religious decrees) and leaders of the Muslim world to present a unanimous opinion on the situation of the world in general and the situation of Iraq and Syria in particular for Muslim people and youth.

Asking the Muslim rulers as well as the international community to consider the factors that lead to forming of organisations like the Islamic State (formerly ISIS) and inducing the young people to adopt the path of violence and extremism, the council quoted atrocities by Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez al-Assad in Syria and by the rulers of post-Saddam Hussein Iraq as the factors behind the current expression of violence by Muslim youths.

Also read: England cricketer urges Muslims to shun IS

“Heinous atrocities were committed by Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, against the people of Syria and the rulers who came to power in Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein’s regime discriminated against people on sectarian grounds. The followers of a specific Muslim sect were not given justice or rights and were constantly treated in a brutal way (in Iraq). These are the factors due to which organisations such as the IS are formed and gain popularity among the public.”

Asserting that dialogue is the solution to all global issues, whether they are inter-faith or inter-sectarian problems, it said when governments adopt the path of violence people are forced to follow suit, raising tensions across the globe.

The council believes that there is no room for extremism and terrorism in Islam and no group or individual can be given the authority to kill innocent people. Likewise, the PUC believes that leaders of any country do not have the right to kill their opponents, or make their lives difficult on the basis of religion or sect.

Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi formed the opinion on the IS after seeking and carefully studying the point of view of media representatives and Muslims in Islamic and European countries.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd , 2014

Must Read

Opinion

Editorial

The ban question
Updated 02 Dec, 2024

The ban question

Parties that want PTI to be banned don't seem to realise they're veering away from the very ‘democratic’ credentials they claim to possess.
5G charade
Updated 02 Dec, 2024

5G charade

What use is faster internet when the state is determined to police every byte of data its citizens consume?
Syria offensive
Updated 02 Dec, 2024

Syria offensive

If Al Qaeda’s ideological allies establish a strong foothold in Syria, it will fuel transnational terrorism.
Flying ban reversal
Updated 01 Dec, 2024

Flying ban reversal

Only the naive can expect the reinstatement of European operations to help restore PIA’s profitability.
Kurram conflict
01 Dec, 2024

Kurram conflict

DESPITE a ceasefire being in place, violence has continued in Kurram tribal district. The latest round of bloodshed...
World AIDS Day
01 Dec, 2024

World AIDS Day

IT is a travesty that, decades after HIV/AIDS first perplexed medics, awareness about the disease remains low in...