ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri on Friday held a meeting with ulema of different schools of thought to develop consensus over code of conduct for Muharram.

The minister stressed the need for observing religious amity during Muharram.

The minister said that the sacrifice rendered by Imam Hussain made the first month of Islamic calendar more sacred.

“But one should be aware of conspiracies being hatched by enemies of Islam during this sensitive month,” he said.

The leaders of different sects have been asked to respect the sanctity of each others’ faith and refrain from emotionally charged speeches which could lead to tension between the two sects.

The minister announced that the federal government would ask the provincial governments to hold such meetings at provincial and district levels as well to promote coherence among the elders of different schools of thought.

Later, talking to media the minister said that the concerns of religious segment over the appointment of Atif Mian were conveyed to the prime minister and there is no need to question his appointment in economic advisory council at this stage.

The meeting was attended by ulemas including Allama Arif Wahidi, Azizuddin Hazarvi, Mufti Gulzar Naeemi and Maulana Zameer Ahmed Sajid.

Pindi DC meets ulema

The Rawalpindi district administration asked scholars of different schools of thought to promote harmony and brotherhood during Muharram.

The request in this regard was made by Deputy Commissioner Omer Jehangir during a meeting with scholars Shaukat Abbas Jaffari, Allama Syed Zahid Abbas Kazmi, Maulana Hafiz Iqbal Rizvi, Qazi Zahoorul Haq and others.

The deputy commissioner assured the participants that foolproof security would be provided to majalis and mourning processions. The district administration and police officials requested the religious scholars to play their role for peace and harmony.

The religious scholars assured the government their copperation and support. They appreciated the efforts of district administration to include traders representatives in interfaith harmony committee to maintain peace throughout the year.

Deputy Commissioner Omer Jehangir said that the law enforcement agencies would increase the security of all the worship places and mourning processions during Muharram.

The meeting was informed that provincial cabinet members will visit the garrison city to review the security arrangements.

He said that the political leaders would also be requested to visit the mosques and imambargahs to tell them that enemies wanted to create unrest among the ranks of Muslims and it was the duty of all the segments of the people to play their role to foil nefarious designs of the enemies.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2018