Certificate distribution ceremony: Shahbaz commends role of seminaries in rendering invaluable services to Islam

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said Jamia Ashrafia and other seminaries have played a commendable role in the propagation of the teachings of Islam and the graduates and Islamic scholars of Jamia Ashrafia are rendering invaluable services to Islam and the country. He said "Islam gives the message of peace, tolerance and brotherhood and has no relation whatsoever with extremism."
He said Ulema could play a key role towards spreading the message of tolerance and restraint in the society. He said justice, honesty and equitable distribution of resources in the light of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were essential for resolving the problems being faced by the country. He made an appeal to Ulema of all schools of thought to come forward for elimination of extremism and terrorism and find solution to the issues being confronted by the country through a composite dialogue. He assured his full co-operation in that regard. He expressed these views at the certificate distribution ceremony among scholars completing PhD and M Phil at Jamia Ashrafia, here on Thursday. Vice President Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi Maulana Taqi Usmani, Vice Muhtamam Jamia Ashrafia Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahim, Nazim Jamia Ashrafia Asad Ubaid, Provincial Auqaf Minister Atta Manika and a large number of Ulema, teachers and students were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister gave away certificates to the scholars and also congratulated them. Shahbaz said Jamia Ashrafia was rendering invaluable services to Islam and the country by imparting religious education to the young generation. He congratulated management, teachers and students on their efforts in that regard, and said motivating the youth in the present age to follow Uswa-e-Hasna was highly laudable.
He said tolerance, restraint and religious brotherhood was common in the society a few decades back but unfortunately the believers in Allah, Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Quran had forgotten those lofty values and principles of Islam and intolerance and violence had instead taken roots in the society.
The CM said intolerant and violent attitudes had their beginning in the decade of 80s when there was a war and Pakistan was pushed forward as a frontline state. He said the country's human resource was used in the war while material support was given by some others, adding though there were different views about that war but it laid the foundation of extremism and lack of restraint in the society.
He said unfortunately the situation aggravated after the war but now it was high time to take remedial measures and role of Ulema of all schools of thought was of paramount importance in that regard. The Chief Minister referred to the historic resolution of March 23rd, 1940, and said Muslims of the subcontinent gathered on one platform without any discrimination of caste, colour and creed and the existing situation of the country demands revival of this spirit.
He said a few decades ago, debates and discussions were held in the country and people of divergent views were persuaded through knowledge and logic while guns and weapons were now used for that purpose. He said the aim of creation of Pakistan was supremacy of merit, justice, honesty and equitable distribution of resources and millions of Muslims of the subcontinent rendered supreme sacrifices for the purpose of creation of an Islamic welfare state in the real sense. He said that now was the time to ponder how much everyone had contributed towards that end.
The CM further said the role of Ulema was of vital importance for transforming Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. He said it was a fact that no serious effort had been made towards implementation of the lofty teachings of the Holy Prophet and golden principles of Islam in the society and poverty and unemployment were rampant in the country.
Shahbaz said Pakistan was supposed to lead Islamic world from Casablanca to Kuala Lumpur and play a key role in the whole world but instead it was looking for charity and aid and become a butt of ridicule in the international community. However, he said, the situation could be changed and Pakistan could be made a developed and prosperous country through hard work, honesty, equitable and just distribution of resources. He said "Islam has given the eternal message of justice and equitable distribution of resources but this message has been forgotten."
He said there was a heavy responsibility on Ulema to strive for economic justice and equality. He said that while all amenities and luxuries were available to the rich and elite classes, the poor were denied even basic necessities of life. He said those were the problems against which Ulema should raise their voice so that justice and equality could be ensured in the society.
He said there was a need to promote the principles of brotherhood, amity and accommodation otherwise the existing sorry state of affairs would persist and everyone would be answerable for that situation in the court of Allah Almighty. He said Ulema should join hands and strive for elimination of extremism and terrorism on permanent basis. He said in order to give a peaceful and violence-free society to the young generation, some way would have to be found which could lead to creation of an Islamic welfare state which was free from exploitation and corruption and basic facilities were available to every citizen. He said Mesaq-e-Madina had the solution to all the issues being faced today. The Chief Minister expressed the hope that Pakistan would rid of its problems and emerge as a strong and prosperous country.