ISLAMABAD: Clerics belonging to different schools of thought on Wednesday agreed to work closely to promote a culture of peace and tolerance during Muharram.

Their resolve came at ‘Unity of Ummah Conference’, held under the aegis of Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) where they also offered cooperation to the government in ensuring peace and religious harmony during Muharram.

The participants of the conference declared that any Islamic sect should not be declared ‘infidel’ and any Muslim or non-Muslim should not be declared ‘worthy of killing’ so that people and believers of all sects can live their lives as enshrined in the Constitution.

“We all have the responsibility to approach Ulema, Mashaykh and ‘Shia Zakireen’ with the request to ensure respect for all other schools of thought and ideologies in their speeches during Muharram,” said Allama Arif Waheedi, central leader of Shia Ulema Council.

He said the right choice of words was necessary for all those delivering sermons or reciting Majalis so that the message was conveyed in a respectful manner.

Meanwhile, addressing the conference as chief guest the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousaf stressed upon the leaders and representatives of various religious groups to avoid creating any stressful environment as such a situation would only benefits the miscreants.

He said that the enemies of the state were taking advantage of infightings among the Muslims.

The Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi reiterated his resolve to initiate joint struggle for ensuring law and order and religious harmony during Muharram.

The participants of the Conference agreed to disassociate themselves from elements responsible for airing hateful literature and making objectionable speeches during Muharram.

The participants also announced to support the government and the security forces on Kashmir issue. The conference also decided to send delegates of different religious sects to Islamic Countries to highlight Kashmir issues and to expose Indian aggression in India-held Kashmir.

The conference also adopted resolutions condemning US legislation against Saudi Arabia and Indian aggression in Kashmir.

The code of conduct prepared by the PUC was also distributed among the participants of the conference which slammed terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence in the name of Islam.

The PUC code of conduct also said that the local administration and the organisers of Majalis and processions would maintain coordination during Muharram.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2016