Religious scholars must play role in countering terrorism: PM Nawaz
40
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said it was imperative for religious scholars to come forward and play their part in countering terrorism.
Addressing a delegation of religious leaders from different schools of thought at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, the premier said religious scholars had the responsibility to preach their fellow Muslims that Islam was a religion of peace and not violence.
The premier termed the role of ulema as extremely vital for the country, which he said was going through a critical phase in its history. The premier also called upon religious scholars to show unity in their ranks.
Earlier in June, over 100 ulema from various schools of thought had declared that Zarb-i-Azb, the military operation being carried out against local and foreign militants in the North Waziristan tribal region, was jihad.
Also read: Fatwa declares Zarb-i-Azb a jihad
The decree said that the nation had the duty to support the operation in North Waziristan against militants who had murdered hundreds of innocent people and targeted schools, shrines and hospitals and that those opposing the action were rebelling against the state.
Pakistan launched military operation Zarb-i-Azb on June 15 following a brazen attack on Karachi's international airport and failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.
Nearly a million people have fled the offensive in North Waziristan, which is aimed at wiping out longstanding militant strongholds in the area, which borders Afghanistan.
Explore: The continuing threat
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (40) Closed
Oct 03, 2014 01:14pm
or may be uncle nawaz can stop getting so cozy with the saudis who are known to fund some of these trouble maker preachers....
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 01:35pm
They (not all but most) are already playing a role in the radicalization of pack society, how they can help.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 01:45pm
Other than right interpretation of religious teaching is necessary. This apart, it is important right food habits. Too much of meat and non-vegetarian food intake always, you always see blood and that keeps the body on the boil. The tolerance levels is reduced and people get involved in hyper & violent activities. Patience is reduced. Therefore controlling food habits and eating out in day time will really help in the mentality of individual which effectively help reduce fights and wars.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 01:46pm
Did he say anything about HIS OWN responsibilities?
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 01:48pm
Its a bit like asking the cat not to eat the pigeons.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 01:55pm
PTI should also play its role as he was appointed the spokesperson for the TTP and all other liberal political parties were targeted during the election campaign.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 02:47pm
And you are for nothing NS if others are to play role. You are to incite terrorism in the country as you did in Karachi Airport, Model Town, D-chowk, etc. and leave the country on hopelessness by showing them the sympathy in every flood!!!
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 03:20pm
Why muslims need mullahs to explain Quran? Dont they have books in their mother tongue? Holding mullahs, maulvis,preachers for extremism, the people of pakistan are simply abandoning their responsibility of protecting their country from the evil designs of saudi arabia.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 03:40pm
These so called ulemas should be banned for any political duties. They should be certified for their knowledge and should be able to interpret Quran according to the 21st century demands. They should not make any political parties. They should be either ulemas or either politician but not the both.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 03:55pm
PM is missing the point, their business model revolves around promoting extremism not countering it.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 03:59pm
PM we support u....he is right everybody should use their rights responsibly using religion or politics to disrupt system is called zulm quit IK and qadri power hungry revolutions r never a part of religion.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:00pm
They have had plenty of time to preach the Islam is about peace but why haven't they yet !
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:02pm
@jen, only illiterates need mullahs. educated people don't.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:23pm
Charity begins at home Sir. Please also comment on your association with banned parties who are actively involved in terrorism. Only can only hope so much for peace when seat adjustment takes your priority over the sectarian strife. Practise what you preach is what I am asserting.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:40pm
Nawaz Sharif has once again requested Maulana Fazlur Raman to enhance his statements against Taliban for authentificaion.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:52pm
mature statement ...and way to go for Pakistan ..sooner Pakistan will learn it , the good days will start coming for Pakistan ..................apparently NS have realized that this is need of the hour based on reaction from international leader during his visit to UN..Pakistan is facing isolation in international community based on it stands on extremism/terrisosm
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 04:53pm
I have been told that NS likes Seerri Payaa. He starts his breakfast with it. I believe that the PM has a lot of cholesterol running in his blood and that is why his thinking capabilities have been reduced to a very dangerous level.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:09pm
What about playing your own role as PM for the betterment of the country (and not for the betterment of your family and cronies)?
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:09pm
@Qamar if that is the case Pakistan is full of illiterate people which we don't believe it to be
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:11pm
So is he breaking all his ties with all militant groups that his party's leadership has known to be supporting??
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:24pm
Brilliant! Asking wolves to guard the sheep. These 'scholars' have caused enough mess already. Take a leaf from Modi next door who is acting like a leader instead of just a Prime Minister. Look at Imran Khan too.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:30pm
@Qamar - majority of the illiterates are too busy just trying to survive. It is the literate Facebook generation that is getting radicalized like Faisal Shehzad or those holding knives and guns on TV and speaking crisp English.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:33pm
These Religious scholars will must play role in supporting terrorism
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:43pm
Dear PM,
The menace of terrorism spread due to your political mentor Zia-ul-Haq's policy and afterwards you also happily followed his policies for the best known reasons and scores of Mullahs you are requesting to preach for harmony is the product of that radical islamisation policies
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 05:48pm
Mr PM,
Did you ever try to understand your own responsibilities? Aren't you responsible to make sure the safety and integrity of the nation but you always thinks only about your own safety and progress of your family business. Your foreign tours are largely based on your family business and introduction of your sons and daughters into national and international politics.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 06:45pm
Why NOT the Government? It is government's job to make a strategy and if a government is incompetent, that Government must go.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 06:57pm
It would be much better, if you remain quiet "Sir".
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 07:04pm
Don't you know Nawaz.? What is happening is the result of the roles religious scholars played or did not play when needed.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 07:19pm
Sure Mina Saheb. The same way you preach that every thing is well in your government.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 07:31pm
how about taking action on those not only giving hate speeches but using the country as a base for exporting terrorists in the name of religion ?
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 07:37pm
Only the secular extremist will deny that is in fact a wise statement (coming from a not so wise person like Nawaz Sharif)
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 07:57pm
Tahir-Ul_Qadri issued a whole fatwa against terrorism. Please read it!! He spoke at the World Economic Forum ... not your average mullah.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 08:19pm
It is time Pakistan adopts a policy of live and let live.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 08:32pm
All the lies taught so far along with twisting of historical facts have to be admitted in the same schools. Will hurt your egos but there is no other way if you are to even survive.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 08:40pm
They have already played the role, destroying the country.
Recommend
0
Oct 03, 2014 09:51pm
What a great idea. Only he could think of this.
Recommend
0
Oct 04, 2014 09:29am
Long live PMLN. Mr. PM i truly believe you are the only party that can save Pakstan and make it a true Asian tiger. Ap Kaam kertay raho mian sb or ronay walon ko ronay do.
Recommend
0
Oct 04, 2014 09:32am
Good step PM sahib. Please also put people like TuQ and Imran Khan in jail for instigating violence and attacking state institutions.
Recommend
0
Oct 04, 2014 12:27pm
With that statement his duty to counter terrorism is over for the next four years. Amazing leader!
Recommend
0
Oct 04, 2014 04:47pm
@Kaleem .....what about putting his brother Shahbaz in jail for having people killed and injured during model town incident or is that asking too much?
Recommend
0
