Clerics’ exchange with S. Arabia proposed
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are negotiating an agreement for the exchange of preachers and clerics.
“We are working on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which Saudi ulema would visit Pakistan and our ulema could travel to the kingdom for religious purposes,” Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf told Dawn after inaugurating a seminar on inter-faith harmony here on Wednesday.
According to an official of the International Islamic University, the Saudi authorities are also planning to set up a Pakistan-Saudi friendship centre at the institution. The centre will focus on religious education.
Read: S. Arabia will send imams to Pakistan
Negotiations on the MoU for exchange of clerics were launched during the recent visit to the country by Saudi Religious Affairs Minister Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz.
Next to come is Imam-i-Kaaba Sheikh Khalid al Ghamdi, who is arriving here on Thursday.
“I too came to know about the Imam-i-Kaaba’s visit just yesterday. He is a respected figure and our doors remain open for him,” Mr Yousaf said in reply to a question.
Speaking at the conference, the minister stressed the need for religious harmony.
Dr Tughral Yamin, who heads the Centre for International Peace and Stability at the National University of Science and Technology, proposed that teachers should be trained to be neutral and unbiased in opinion, hate material purged from textbooks and the media and the syllabus designed in a manner that discouraged cliches.
Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2015
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Comments (79) Closed
Apr 23, 2015 07:06am
This may increase extremism in Pakistan. This should have been done with Turkey not S-Arabia. Pakistan is ideologically more close to Turkey
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Apr 23, 2015 07:20am
Progress is ensured with this agreement.
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Apr 23, 2015 07:35am
Amongst bad ideas coming out of Nawaz government, this is amongst the worse
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Apr 23, 2015 07:35am
Please keep your Ulema with yourself S Arabia! We don't want none of that hatred speeches and extremist remarks
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Apr 23, 2015 07:36am
I think it will be a good step since Pakistanis believe that there fiqh(jurisprudence) and aqeeda(creed) are the only right ones; especially the sects that preach sufism. Hopefully this will give them another perspective and broaden there thinking.
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Apr 23, 2015 07:43am
Have we not already imported enough firebrand version of Saudi religion of the last three decades ? Ensuing in enough loss of life ?
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Apr 23, 2015 07:44am
How about exchange scientists and intellectuals?
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Apr 23, 2015 07:45am
What a bad Idea. If possible, send these ulema to visit developed industrial societies to help open their eyes. Have little hope to open their minds, though
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Apr 23, 2015 07:46am
Send Taliban ulema which are Saudi ideology product. They can stay there. We don't want to cause any discomfort to Saudi's. Therefore their ulema can stay there. Bad idea in general.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:05am
Why we need this??
I think Pakistani clerics are already under influence of Saudia and unable to understand and differentiate between religion and kingdom hence they need to remain away from them. Such mutual exchange will only harm Pakistan as Saudis will keep their upper hand and would treat Pakistani scholars as their subordinates. There would be huge corruption in such mutual visors as well.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:09am
It is literally very funny news as there is no dearth of knowledge on either side. However, when it comes to apply the knowledge both nations behave like completely ignorant!
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Apr 23, 2015 08:15am
Instead exchange knowledge, scientists.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:19am
Dangerous
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Apr 23, 2015 08:25am
Oh no...... no thank you please. We are capable enough of creating sectarian and other divisions amongst ourselves. Plus most of the sectarian enmity is thanks to our "brothers" from the gulf. We don't need more radicals please. Just see the state of Syria, Libya and Iraq.....
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Apr 23, 2015 08:27am
Here we go again. First it was the Taleban and now this. When will this stop.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:28am
An exchange of clerics for what?!?! We need teachers to educate our people, not clerics to brain wash them.
We have over 90% muslim population already, we don't need more religious instruction, let people figure it out for themselves.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:37am
All clerics must be sent to Yemen on the rewest of KSA instead of Pak Foug.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:42am
Another ill conceived move.
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Apr 23, 2015 08:48am
Yes religious interchange between two countries is essential to understand Islam better and to stop misuse of religion for violence and other dangerous purposes
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Apr 23, 2015 09:04am
Please no.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:06am
Alhamdalilah. Now we can become better Muslims.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:06am
More trouble for PAK now....
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Apr 23, 2015 09:07am
Oh God! No! Please don't. We do not want Saudi style society.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:13am
Exchange whatever which will promote tolerance, respect for other faiths, rationality.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:13am
God Bless Pakistan!!
God Bless Saudi Arabia!!
Who needs it more?
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Apr 23, 2015 09:14am
Khuda khair Kare
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Apr 23, 2015 09:17am
Instead of sending preachers and Imam to religiously intolerant KSA, send the science teachers and professors to the west , society will progress and we can eliminate poverty in the sub-continent.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:28am
Really dangerous move for Pakistan.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:31am
Another black day for Pakistan. More extremism and rise of fundamentalism in Pakistan. Aside Azam's dream is being turned into a nightmare.
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Apr 23, 2015 09:40am
Here comes more radicalization
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Apr 23, 2015 09:45am
Would Saudi clerics really help in promoting religious harmony in Pakistan???
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Apr 23, 2015 10:00am
Oh!! such a great idea. Now Pakistan's prosperity is assured.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:01am
Perturbed.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:02am
For goodness sake NO
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Apr 23, 2015 10:02am
How about Saudis keep them for good.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:12am
What is the exchange? New thoughts , Innovation or strict interpretation of a book? I think Pakistan and Saudi Arab should both invite people from Silicon Valley, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Singapore….those who are innovators, bring new thoughts and new jobs. Earth needs new thinkers.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:22am
So both countries now intend to share their best products!
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Apr 23, 2015 10:25am
exchange students and technology and science.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:25am
exchanging mullahs will yield nothing.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:30am
@Urgh! Saudi Arabia doesnt have scientists and intellectuals, they only have ideology which suggests they are superior to other human beings,
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Apr 23, 2015 10:46am
@Urgh! There aren't any on the other side :) :) lol
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Apr 23, 2015 10:47am
The names should include tha staunch supporter s of the kingdom.
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Apr 23, 2015 10:54am
Seems the government has learned nothing in past 20 years. Theres enough hatres and extremism being preached in Pak, dont need anymore. How about exchanging some bright minds from the Kaust science complex instead.
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Apr 23, 2015 11:07am
@qutub what is a better muslim...
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Apr 23, 2015 11:11am
@Urgh! It will be hard to find scientists and intellectuals in that part of world
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Apr 23, 2015 11:11am
@Qutub why before you were not
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Apr 23, 2015 11:12am
Ziaulhaq's policies coming into effect !
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Apr 23, 2015 11:16am
Please send Ludhyanvi and Farooqi permanently.....!!
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Apr 23, 2015 11:16am
Deadly dangerous exchange. Combination of extremist mullahs is a recipe for disaster.
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Apr 23, 2015 11:17am
Instead of exchange just take all of ours and keep them for good
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Apr 23, 2015 11:21am
It means some teachings of Islam are still unknown which these clerics will reveal to the people of both counties. Saudi clerics will teach Islam to Pakistanis and in exchange Pakistani clerics will teach Islam to Saudis.
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Apr 23, 2015 11:28am
Interfaith harmony can be achieved when the religious affairs ministry is abolished along with all religion related committees and councils sponsored and funded by the government. Parliament should pass laws to separate religion from the affairs of the government and then there can be harmony and peace.
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Apr 23, 2015 11:46am
no need exchange just move them out of pakistan, thanks
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Apr 23, 2015 11:56am
@harmony NO my friend you see the religous harmony saudia has brought in yemen
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Apr 23, 2015 12:02pm
What vision is in mind out of this move?
History is the best teacher if we want to learn.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:09pm
What fresh lunacy is this? We are dealing with the product of these Saudi ulema for the past 15-20 years. There truly is no limit to which Pakistan will self-inflict wounds.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:14pm
@ALI AWAN
"their" and not there...
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Apr 23, 2015 12:17pm
@Urgh!
That is what normal nations do.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:19pm
The clerics will decide how to bring back their lost influence in Pakistan.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:29pm
Please get the MOU approved by the parliament and then make it public
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Apr 23, 2015 12:34pm
@Thoughtpurification Not simply dangerous, but very..very dangerous move indeed. Will cause to increase hatred and division of Muslims. But our rulers do not dare to say "no" to any demand from "brotherly" Saudis who are hell bent on creating more and more divide instead of promoting harmony / unity among Muslims which is the need of the hour in order to counter the dangerous plans / moves of anti Islam forces.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:36pm
@F.Khan We are not prepared to learn any lessons and blindly following / agreeing to ALL proposals /demands without bothering about consequences. How sad !!
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Apr 23, 2015 12:48pm
@Shahid Khan We - the masses - don't want such Saudi styled society ...but our rulers do.
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Apr 23, 2015 12:49pm
A very bad idea. Just give our clerics a one way ticket to Saudis .
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Apr 23, 2015 12:50pm
I can not imagine the myopic (intentional rather), blinded ( contrived rather) non visionary (political rather) stances that our government take one after the other, especially when it is the matter of Islam( dogma for them rather). Pakistani policy maker simply have no intention, absolutely no intention to settle sectarianism in anyway!!!! shame N govt!!!!!
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Apr 23, 2015 12:55pm
@Qutub You must be joking for sure. Will become better Muslims, really ? How ? Do you mean to say that it is the duty of "better muslims" to become narrow minded and get involved in creating hatred between various sects ? If this is your vision of a better muslim then you are free to proceed accordingly.
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Apr 23, 2015 01:07pm
@AFZAL I appreciate that :)
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Apr 23, 2015 01:09pm
Its trouble from top to tail, either way either trouble comes to you or you go to trouble its the last nail in Pakistan moderate religious harmony (to some extent). Who makes these decisions is ironic. Bad and very bad idea
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Apr 23, 2015 01:22pm
and once more you can keep your door open to extreme ideology but our door will remain shut. Why do not you exchange scholarship with Al Azhar, Istanbul, Qum, Malaysia. A right minded person will not seek an ideology which has no respect to others believes. S Arabia must be rich but still her level of knowledge is well below the normal standard by any standard
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Apr 23, 2015 01:25pm
Pakistan should "export" Clerics, not import, we have enough problems with the existing .
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Apr 23, 2015 01:29pm
@Urgh! There are none found in S.Arabia.
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Apr 23, 2015 01:59pm
recipe for disaster.
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Apr 23, 2015 02:20pm
I have read several comments here against exchange of religious scholars from both country. My question is what is wrong that you find in Saudi Scholars ...unless you are more inclined towards Iran and the western society. Has Saudis not established prayers in every part of their country, have they not established helping poor through one of the biggest donors to muslim countries, have they not been the host to millions of muslims around the world to welcome and take care of pilgrims for hajj ? it is very easy to criticize Ulema's and scholars ... not very different than what is being systematically done and propogate by western societies. Hence my question is what kind of extremism do you see in Saudi Arabia ? I see short comings certainly in their society... but worse is the society of west and Iran.
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Apr 23, 2015 02:52pm
Now the fate of Pakistan is can be forecasted easily. There will be no recovery after this damage is done.
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Apr 23, 2015 03:12pm
@Urgh! You might find a few scientists/intellectuals in Pakistan. You won't find any in Saudi Arabia.
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Apr 23, 2015 03:19pm
in th ename of religion saudia sells its culture. we are happy with our islam. dont need more saudia islam( non-democratic)
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Apr 23, 2015 06:54pm
Oh my God.
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Apr 23, 2015 07:38pm
@Fateh I agree with all that you say Saudi Arabia does as far as helping the poor, establishing prayers and the Haj arrangements is concerned, however, do you think offering financial and moral support to citizens of other countries in order to export their own ideology, exert undue influence and interference is fair game? Why do we need to exchange clerics? Study of religion is unlike scientific research where all scientists are in touch with each other in order to share knowledge. We have enough resources in Pakistan for our clerics to do whatever research need to do. We don't need to send our clerics to Saudi Arabia or need any of theirs to brain-wash ours.
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Apr 30, 2015 10:11pm
@Dieharder I love your remark
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