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Paving way for harmony: In Gilgit, re-opening of mosques hinges on accepting new code
Prayer leaders asked not to make hate speeches.
Prayer leaders asked not to make hate speeches.
GILGIT:
The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has linked the opening of the mosques sealed in the aftermath of sectarian violence with the acceptance of the code of conduct that bars prayer leaders from making hate speeches.
The code of conduct, prepared by a parliamentary peace committee, binds prayer leaders of both central mosques not to malign each other’s beliefs or to use foul language against the rival sect’s revered personalities. It states that prayer leaders and their deputies should not issue inflammatory decrees, especially during Friday and Eid sermons.
Clerics will not demand a share in government jobs and other privileges for their respective sects under the new code of conduct. If they violate it, they will be liable to be tried under the anti-terrorism act, the code states.
The peace committee comprising Adviser to the Prime Minister Attaullah Shahab, G-B Legislative Assembly, Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed, Member G-B Council Amjad Hussain, Adviser Forests and Wildlife Aftab Haider and others was constituted by the government in the wake of sectarian bloodshed that led to the closure of central mosques of both sects in Gilgit. Over 20 people were killed and scores of others were injured last month.
“The code of conduct aims to achieve long-term peace in the region,” said Hussain on Tuesday.
The parliamentary committee on Monday handed over the code of conduct to the Masjid Board that is represented by 20 members, 10 each from Shia and Sunni sects, who will be responsible for ensuring that the code is implemented.
According to a source privy to the board’s affairs, central mosques of Sunni and Shia sects will only be opened if the clerics guarantee they will not issue decrees condemning the other sect. “What has been banned is foul language against revered personalities besides branding each other infidel,” said the source. The board will take a final decision today in this connection, he added.
The Masjid Board is responsible for implementation of the 15-point code of conduct which is binding on prayer leaders in Gilgit. “If they refuse to accept the conditions, the mosques will remain closed for an indefinite period,” he said.
Following sectarian bouts in early April, the government sealed the doors of central mosques, barring people from offering prayers there.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2012.
Reader Comments (8)
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Misuse of such peaceful places by 2 uneducated people that why these two beautiful mosques were sealed and i think these 2 mosques should handover to concern Govt.religious authorities and use of loud speaker should permanently ban and distributed Friday speech by Govt Department after approval from high profile educational back ground committee not from MLA`s. Whose are also un-educated and criminals sitting in GB so-called assembly.
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Good decision.
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Excellent decision. Should be undertaken across the country.
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It is good decision, but government will never implement the decisions in true spirit. In 1988, miscreants from diamer and kohistan attacked Gilgit after fatwa from Molvis declaring a sect as Kafir.
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i don’t agree with mr. sherghazi how you say a mufti uneducated don’t you have your mind.. i think you don’t know how a mufti or molana is…a molana used to learn and study islam and it takes 15 years and 15 years is not a small duration got it so how you call uneducated..??
this is not the problem that you sealed the mosques or open this is not the for long solution of gilgit baltistan..As for as the situation of G.B is concern there are so much factors involve for these circumstances,there is trisector,pakistani agencies,china,india as well as other factors which are reponsible for alll this so you can’t blame any one for this…there are some local people of G.B as well are responsible for insurgency in G.B.
This iz all about the situation so it on local people of G.B how they can handle these problems
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@Sherghazi:
I think you are not aware of the fact that a cleric from one of the two mosques has ordered people of his sect not to harm any one after brutal killings of 16 people in Kohistan. The same cleric has always mentioned in his speeches that killing of one human is equivalent to killing of entire humanity. You can verify the fact with SB Branch of police, who have record of all speeches and sermons. Criticizing any one without knowing the facts is not right.
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Excellent!!!!!!
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What a U-turn in the history of Islam. Now muslims will fix code of conduct for the mosques. I would be the first person to appreciate this throughout Pakistan where all madarasas produced nothing more than militants. The militants who attacked Gilgit 1988 and burned 11 villages and holly places never faced the same restriction like closure of their moques and madrassas.
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