ISLAMABAD: Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Wednesday asked the civil society activists and non-government organisation (NGOs) to help the government promote interfaith harmony.

Addressing Ulema-Mashaykh Convention here at Jamia Masjid Ma’az bin Jabal, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said: “We invite human rights organisations, NGOs to work together for interfaith harmony and improvement of human rights situation in country.”

He added that all NGOs and human rights bodies should work together for the promotion of interfaith harmony in country, “We are making endeavours to bring all these bodies on one platform.”

Hafiz Ashrafi, who is also chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), said an international conference titled ‘One Nation- One Destination’ will be held next month.

“Besides, a nationwide campaign on women’s education will be launched under the auspices of the PUC,” he added.

He said that the religious leaderships should play a proactive role on issues related to religious minorities, promotion of interfaith harmony and tolerance in the society.

He said Sharia law commands the judges and muftis to listen to the case and issue decree, based on facts not on their own thoughts.

“Today, there are some people who claim to be muftis and judges having prejudices, want to impose their thinking through sermons and fatwa,” he added.

He said that such a move tantamount to conspiracy against the country.

“Conspiracies were being hatched to tarnish the image of Pakistan’s security institutions, civil authorities, judiciary and the armed forces, but we will counter it,” Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said.

He said: “Some people were trying to create fear among religious seminaries by spreading incorrect rumours, but I want to make it clear that there would be no change in the religious curriculum of madrassas and no one can and will take away the freedom and autonomy of seminaries.”

He recalled that the government has devised a system of registration of seminaries with the Ministry of Education and new madrassa boards were being established to streamline and upgrade the system.

“While the problems faced by madaris regarding registration, opening of bank accounts and other affairs will be resolved before the start of new academic year,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2021