PESHAWAR, Sept 21: MMA’s member of NWFP Assembly Zakir Shah has called for a complete closure of music centres, cinemas and cable services and ban on video games and obscenity-oriented activities during the holy month of Ramzan.

“As Muslims, we should always keep away from vulgarity and obscenity. However, we appeal to those promoting obscenity to halt their activities at least during Ramzan, keeping in view the sanctity of this month,” he said while addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday.

Accompanied by a number of Ulema from his constituency, the MPA said: “If cinemas and music centres can be closed in the month of Muharram then why not in the month of Ramzan?”

The MMA government, he claimed, had taken certain steps to maintain law and order and check obscenity and vulgarity in the province “but a lot of things are still to be done”.

The MPA called upon federal and provincial governments to take concrete steps to check obscenity. He said that they had established a body ‘Amar-Bil-Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar’ to warn people against un-Islamic activities.

“I am satisfied with the steps so far taken by the MMA government for halting obscenity,” the MPA said while seeking cooperation from owners of cinemas, music centres, cables television networks.

Replying to a question, he said that instead of using force, they would educate people on the destructive effects of such activities.

The organisation, he said, had been established some five months back and Ulemas of 25 mosques in his constituency had extended their support.