ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: The state Minister of Education Anisa Zeb Tahir Kheli on Saturday asked women to join struggle against terrorism and sectarianism. The Minister was addressing a gathering of women at the Khawateen Karbala Conference, organised by the women wing of the Markazi Imam Hussain Council.

In her appeal she said the government wanted to eliminate the twin menace of sectarianism and terrorism right at the grassroots, and the women should join the campaign.

Talking of the supreme sacrifice of life made at Karbala by Harzat Imam Hussain she reminded every one that it was to strengthen the concept of Nizam-e-Tauheed, and this mission was carried forward by Hazrat Sayeda Zenab and her lady companions who jointly struggled against Yazid.

Islam would have been in grave danger if these ladies had not waged that struggle, said the Minister, adding that women should see the significance of this role in advancing Islamic values in the manner of the sacred house of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Khanum Mashallah Shakiri, wife of Iranian Ambassador, also addressed the meeting. She urged every Muslim to understand the mission of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The family of Holy Prophet is and will always remain a symbol of unity among Muslims.

Speaking on the occasion the chairperson of the women wing of the Council, Barrister Rubab Mehdi, talked about the journey of Hazrat Sayeda Zenab from Karbla to Damascus. A momentous event in history it was the first ever long march against evil, tyranny and repressive policies of Yazid, and her journey had a lasting impact on human conduct.

Khanum Mona Abbas Bilgrami (South Africa) remarked that the Western world was wrongly labelling Muslims as terrorist, while as a matter of fact the Muslim nation is peace loving.

“To correct the impression we should project the true image of Islam and highlight the peaceful struggle and the forbearance of Hazrat Imam Hussain before the modern world to help remove doubts in the Western minds.

Parliamentary Secretary Donia Aziz, said we should all join together in paying tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain and Hazrat Sayeda Zenab.