LARKANA, Nov 29: A national Ulema council would be constituted to remove misunderstanding among different religious sects in the country, said Federal Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain.

He told a news conference here on Monday that the proposed council would comprise 400 members from different sects and meet every fortnight to solve what he called 'petty' matters that had been a constant source of irritation among the followers of different sects.

He rejected the impression that the council would be used as a tool against the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and said that the MMA was a political alliance whereas the council would have no political role.

He said that the council would encourage Shia ulema to participate in Sunni congregations and reciprocally the Sunni ulema to attend the Shia gatherings. Condemning terrorism, he said that a 'third element' was behind the incidents of suicide attacks in the country as the act was totally un-Islamic.

He added that the 'third element' had been identified and would be dealt with iron hand. He said that shortly a Fatwa (decree) would be jointly issued by ulema of different sects declaring suicide attacks against the injunctions of Islam.

Mr Hussain said that in addition to six ulema, three astronomers would be included in the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee. He said that the government was considering inclusion of federal government representatives in the provincial Zakat and Auqaf bodies.