ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Wednesday announced its decision to formulate a book of Friday khutbas that would contain social issues faced by the society.

Besides, the council also rejected a one man commission report submitted by the commission chairman Dr Shaoib Suddle in the Supreme Court.

The decisions were taken in the first meeting of the newly constituted CII, chaired by Dr Qibla Ayaz, who has been reappointed as the chairman of the council.

Addressing a press conference, the book had been formulated on the advice of the President.

The book will contain around 70 topics related to social issues including corruption, bribery, general attitude, etc.

“Each topic will have talking points making it easier for the prayer leaders and the students to speak over these topics which will help in social reforms through the mosques,” CII chairman added.

He said the book would be formulated by CII member Mufti Zubair.

“The key objective will be to impart similar knowledge among scholars of various schools of thought over the social issues,” CII chairman said.

However, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, member CII added that it would not be mandatory upon the clerics and ulema to give Friday sermons from the book.

“This will only be a guideline and will not be forced upon the prayer leaders. The book will be a pattern and guideline for them,” Hafiz Ashrafi added.

The CII rejected the report submitted by Dr Shoaib Suddle, chairman “One-man commission” for the implementation of the minority rights in the Supreme Court on March 30 2021.

Dr Ayaz briefed media after the meeting and said that the council had taken note of the report and it was found to be contrary to many clauses of the Constitution.

He said the CII had submitted its deliberations against the one man commission report to the ministry of education, who will eventually submit it to the apex court.

“We have sought more time from the Ministry of Education to give response to all the points raised in the report,” he said.

The council also declared that the vaccination did not affect fast and even suggested to the people to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest.

The CII meeting reiterated that the ordinary citizens should ensure implementation of the SOPs.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2021