ISLAMABAD, Jan 30: President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have called for shunning sectarianism and foster unity and brotherhood during Muharram.

President Musharraf said in his message: “I appeal to the nation on this sacred day to shun from factionalism, lingualism and sectarianism and to work together and unitedly for peace, love and brotherhood in the country, keeping in view the intricacies of prevailing national, regional and international political scenario.”

He said that the month “reminds us of the greatest Islamic and human values like sacrifice, loyalty, fortitude, patience, courage and determination, adding the sanctity of the month was a universal truth”.

The month, he said, was one of the four months declared sacred in the Holy Quran and during which war and violence was totally forbidden.

President Musharraf said: “We must live our lives according to the enlightened teachings of Islam like moderation, tolerance, betterment of humankind and progress, prosperity of our beloved country and Umah, leaving aside the personal interests, sectarianism and extremism.”

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a separate message that the “memorable occasion reminds us of the matchless spirit of brotherhood and affection that prevailed between the Ansars of Madina and the migrants of Makkah, because the foundation of the first-ever Islamic society was marked by the values this relationship embodies”.

Shaukat Aziz called for inculcating “a spirit of sacrifice and unselfishness for one another, tolerance for non-Muslims, supremacy of truth and right in everything, passion for knowledge, eagerness to fulfill one’s responsibility and striving for honest income were the hallmarks of that society, and at the same time hatred for ignorance, extremism, narrow-mindedness and social evils were its outstanding traits.

He said that “these are the values on the basis of which even today an ideal human society can be built up, if only we make these values an integral part of our individual and collective lives”.

“Let us pledge on this occasion that we shall continue to confront and defeat the forces that fan hatred and extremism in our society; that we shall promote the spirit of brotherliness, love, unity and tolerance, and play our due role in the reconstruction of Pakistan with honesty and commitment,” he added..

He reminded that last year, the entire nation had displayed an exemplary bond of communal sympathy and sacrifice when parts of our country were struck by a disastrous earthquake.—PPI

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that that spirit is still alive, and will … continue to prevail.

The prime minister prayed the Almighty to “enable us to forgo all prejudices and enlighten our life with the true Islamic precepts, and further strengthen the bonds of affectionate ardour amongst ourselves.” — PPI