THE purpose of the Council of Islamic Ideology was to assist the Pakistani people to live their lives in accordance with the instructions of the Quran and the Sunnah. Regrettably, this objective is yet to be achieved.

Instead of discussing the issues of the day, the CII members often squabble over petty issues. This raises questions about the CII’s credibility being a constitutional body. Considering its performance, it can be safely concluded that if it had performed its role, issues of religious extremism and intolerance would not have prevailed in the country.

It is my suggestion that sagacious people of reason and knowledge be appointed members of this important body and its structure revamped. The sooner this happens, the better.

Aziz Siyal
Dear Murad Jamali, Balochistan

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APROPOS your editorial ‘CII brawl’ (Dec 31). I endorse your views. It is a disgraceful incident. It is immaterial to find who threw the first stone. The very occurrence of such a thing is detestable. The street language used so openly by one or the both, supposedly ‘men of learning’, is condemnable to the last degree.

I urge that the matter should not end with a handshake and be brushed under the carpet as we are used to doing this kind of solving issues. Both of them should tender a public apology to the nation and quit the CII forthwith.

Both should go for a medical check-up and have medicines to control hypertension. I will not say why both need medical care for the sizes they have? Both have disgraced the CII as a forum where Islamic issues are supposed to be discussed. They have no right to wear titles of ‘maulana’ and ‘ulema’ and (mis)guide the innocent and already suffering people of Pakistan. Both should quit and rest and let us also rest.

Amjad Habib
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2016