RAWALPINDI: The administration of Taleemul Quran seminary in Raja Bazaar on Thursday opened a new building of the seminary in place of the one which was burnt down during violence on Ashura in November 2013.

During the clash, the seminary, a mosque and a nearby market were destroyed. Besides, eight people also lost their lives in the clash. The Punjab government later allocated Rs240 million for the reconstruction of the seminary, mosque and the market.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousuf, Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq, JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamaatud Dawa Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Ahmed Ludhianvi attended the inaugural ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said people needed to get united against India which had started an aggression against Pakistan. He said sectarian disturbance during Muharram could weaken the country.

Other religious leaders in their speeches also focused on India for its atrocities in Kashmir. They also spoke for religious and sectarian harmony during Muharram.

Maulana Rehman said the US should bring the 9/11 attack case to an open court so that the Muslims would also present their case.

He said under the prevailing situation in the world, there was a need for unity among the Muslims. “I always won my seat with the votes of Shia, Barelvi and Deoband sects. There has never been any sectarian issue in my constituency,” he said.

Later, the participants adopted a resolution against police officials allegedly involved in the sectarian violence of 2013.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016