PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar have stressed the need for religious harmony and urged the religious leaders and politicians to join hands against sectarianism, terrorism and anti-state elements.

The seminar titled ‘the role of ulema and politicians in maintenance of peace’ was arranged under the aegis of National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony (NPCIH) at a local hotel here the other day.

Prominent among the speakers were NPCHI chairman Allama Mohammad Shoaib, JI’s acting provincial general secretary Bahrullah Khan, JUI-F leader Qari Rafiq Shah, PML-Q’s president Intikhab Khan Chamkani, ASWJ leader Shamsur Rehman, Pakistan Rah-i-Haq Party activist Sarwar Rahmani, Pasban leader Qari Masaib Gul, Allama Abid Shakiri, Allama Javed Hadi, Masihi League leader Dr Jan G, Maulana Mohammad Tayyab and others.

Speakers at seminar assure full support to govt for peace

On this occasion, several resolutions were unanimously adopted for unity of Muslims against terrorism.

The participants vowed to support the government and security forces for restoration of durable peace and against terrorism.

It was stated in one of the resolutions that peace was essential for improvement of the economy and that people, particularly the politicians and representatives of religious groups, should work jointly for maintenance of peace in the country.

It was said that followers of different religions should avoid differences on the basis of sects and work for welfare of the nation and development of the country.

Allama Shoaib said that sectarianism was a bigger challenge than the external threats to Pakistan and it was duty of the religious leaders and politicians to work jointly for creating awareness against extremism and sectarianism.

He said that attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar, had saddened all and sundry, but it led to unity of the entire nation.

He said that the National Action Plan was a commendable step to curb terrorism. He said that the religious leaders should highlight rights of non-Muslim communities.

Qari Rafiq Shah said that ulema had always preached peace and urged unity among people of different sects to discourage anti-state elements.

He said that the government should stop taking action against religious seminaries and make the process easy for registration of seminaries.

He expressed concern over non-imbursement of Zakat funds to the seminaries and demanded early release of the funds so that the students would not face problems.

Mr Jan G said that Pakistan was the only country where minority groups enjoyed freedom of expression and rights.

He said that the minorities were ready to extend cooperation to the law enforcement agencies in maintenance of peace in the country.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2015