LAHORE: The leaders from diverse religious backgrounds and schools of thought on Sunday convened at the ‘Seerat Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Conference’ and denounced the pervasive threats of terrorism and extremism plaguing Pakistan.
The conference, organized by the Pakistan Ulema Council here at the Al Hamra Hall, was attended by over 500 scholars, religious leaders, political figures, and representatives from all walks of life in a powerful display of unity. The event was chaired by PUC Chairman and International Interfaith Harmony Council President, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.
They particularly highlighted the tragic events in Mastung and Hangu on Friday, 12th Rabiul Awwal, and expressed their unified stance that terrorists aimed to sow chaos and harm innocent lives. They alleged that these criminal networks received support from anti-Pakistan forces and India.
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The religious and political leaders pledged unwavering support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, extremism, and sectarian violence. They emphasized the need to thwart inter-religious conflicts and plots of violence and offered their full cooperation in achieving these goals.
Addressing a critical issue within Pakistan, the leaders stressed the importance of referring to non-Muslim Pakistanis as such, rather than using the term ‘minority’. They underscored the state’s responsibility to safeguard the lives, property, dignity, and honour of non-Muslim citizens and their places of worship.
To ensure regional stability and peace, the leaders called for strengthened relations between the Afghan interim government and Pakistan. They emphasized that both countries should collaborate to eradicate terrorism and prevent its resurgence. They firmly believed that peace in Afghanistan was intertwined with the peace of Pakistan.
The leaders presented evidence of Indian involvement in acts of terrorism, not only in Pakistan but also in Canada and other countries. They called upon the international community to take an action against India to address this issue. In a joint declaration of the conference, the religious and political leaders presented several significant resolutions and demands.
They fully supported the Pakistan Army, security agencies, and government initiatives to ensure the security and stability of Pakistan. They decried recent incidents as part of a conspiracy to revive the war on terror and called for unity in opposing such acts.
The leaders emphasized that the Constitution of Pakistan protected the rights of followers of all religions and sects. They called for using the term ‘non-Muslim Pakistanis’ for non-Muslims and urged the government to resolve issues related to non-Muslim places of worship. They urged the government to sit down with the Qadiani group and decide the design with reference to their places of worship and register their places of worship like other religions’.
The leaders announced plans for joint gatherings across the country against terrorism, extremism, and intolerance in Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Islamabad during October. They declared suicide attacks, the killing of innocents, and armed struggle against the state as ‘Haram’ (forbidden) and affirmed the state’s right to take an action against those involved.
They condemned the Khawarij, a group responsible for recent attacks in various parts of Pakistan, for their disregard for Islamic teachings and human life. They expressed the nation’s unified stance against such groups.
They expressed solidarity with oppressed Palestinians and Kashmiris, urging global support for their rights and resolutions of their issues.
The leaders commended efforts to combat hoarding and reduce the value of the dollar in Pakistan. They called for intensified crackdowns against electricity, gas thieves, hoarders, and corrupt individuals. They supported Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa’s efforts to improve the justice system. They urged swift trials in cases related to blasphemy and other matters.
The leaders condemned the suicide attack in Ankara, Turkey, expressing full cooperation and solidarity with the Turkish people. They strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, Denmark, and other places. They called on the European Union and the United Nations to take an action against such acts and advocated for global legislation to protect religious sanctities.
The ‘Seerat Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Conference’ highlighted the unity of Pakistan’s diverse religious and political leaders in their commitment to combating extremism, promoting peace, and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
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