ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz has said he will suggest establishment of a CII-like institution in Afghanistan during his meeting with visiting Afghan leader Abdullah Abdullah.

The CII chairman and members will meet Mr Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconc­iliation of Afghanistan, on Sept 30.

Speaking at a seminar on “Promotion of Democratic Values in Pakistan” here on Monday, Dr Ayaz said that promotion of democracy was a responsibility of all people.

“Democracy is not just about holding elections, having parliament, government and electing representatives, but showing democratic attitudes and because of absence of this, fruits of democracy would not reach the grass-roots level and the masses,” he added.

The CII chairman said that religious and non-religious scholars hold key status and positions in society and they must guide the masses on key issues, including democracy and democratic attitudes.

“If everyone tries to become a role model himself for society, then society will move forward towards betterment,” Dr Ayaz said.

He said that differences of opinion should not be a point of clash and enmity as it was the beauty of democratic values to respect each other’s point of view. “Similarly, it is the democratic attitude to acknowledge Shia-Sunni differences as a historical continuity,” he said. “If we believe in democratic values then there will not be an issue of hatred against each other.”

Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Barrister Zafarullah Khan and others also spoke at the seminar.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2020