Labelling any Muslim sect 'non-believers' is condemnable and deserving of death: CII
The CII added that labelling any Muslim sect "non-believers" was condemnable and deserving of death.
"Terrorism and violence in the country in the name of religion are a violation of Islamic teachings. All schools of thought announce their disassociation from such acts," it said in its "Code of Conduct", which it wants Parliament to adopt.
"It is an un-Islamic and condemnable act to declare any Muslim sect a disbeliever and deserving of death," it added, along with recommendations to curb hate speech and published material.
The recommendations come as the country prepares for Muharram, beginning on October 24 or 25.
The month is frequently marred by sectarian violence, which has risen markedly in recent years.
Clashes between Sunnis and Shias led to at least 11 deaths in the city of Rawalpindi, close to the capital Islamabad, last November.
Around 1,000 Shias have been killed in the past two years, a heavy toll on the community that makes up roughly 20 per cent of the country's population of 180 million, which is predominantly Muslim.
The body also called for greater protection for non-Muslims, who make up around three per cent of the population.
"It is the government's responsibility to provide protection to their worship places and holy figures according to the law," it said.
Pakistani law already forbids religious hate speech but its implementation is close to non-existent, except in cases of alleged blasphemy.
The CII is more often known for its conservative pronouncements, declaring in March the prohibition of child marriage incompatible with Islam and that a man does not need permission from his wife to marry again.
Formed in 1962 its remit is to advise Parliament on the compatibility of laws with Sharia, though its recommendations are non-binding.
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honestly, this gentleman is much too vocal. Even when he says something halfway sensible as this that one mustn't make judgement on people's faith, he tags on the death penalty...again. Isn't this in itself a hate speech? Can't he be retired?
@Usman Masood: "Hate speech in any form should be categorically banned. No one should be extended the liberty of declaring people Jannati or Jahannumi – whether of the present or past."
It is far more than hate speech and it is acts of extreme hate. In Pakistan, sunni muslims have been making Jahannunis to Jannatis and then forcing them to become Jahannumis. Yes, they convert jahannumi hindu and christian girls, make them Jannatis, marry them, and within few months force them to become jahannumis by selling them to others or pushing them to prostitution. Muslim man selling his muslim wife !!!!! And, this happens in thousands and thousands in Pakistan and has been happening continually for the last 67 years. Yet the entire muslim society there, all its institutions including the government, judiciary, law enforcement and media does nothing to stop these. Shias who are Jahannumis, if they refuse to convert and become Jannatis, are sent to Jahannum by the Jannatis. If you don't address the issues of conversion, you can do nothing on anything else, and you cannot address conversions unless the truth and facts of few thousands of such conversions of hindu and christian girls are brought to light so that everyone realizes and feels what really happens to these converted girls a few months after their conversion and marriage. Are they better off in any way after their conversions? All details are readily available with government's own NADRA records, But, will anyone have the moral, religious, ethical or human value to ask their government to probe into the records and facts of these girls? Can muslims, not just in Pakistan but elsewhere also insult islam any further than by carrying out such types of conversions or supporting it with their silence remaining silent? These types conversions have wide-spread support all across the muslim society, be they religious, literate, moderate, or just madrassa types? So, what can a fatwa or a statement do? It is this reason that you do not see shia killings in India which has equal number of muslims as Pakistan, because muslims cannot do such things there as freely as they do in Pakistan.
Hate speech in any form should be categorically banned. No one should be extended the liberty of declaring people Jannati or Jahannumi - whether of the present or past. Abuse of revered personalities needs to be criminalised in clear terms as assailing fatwas of kufr are banned.
Such statement from state institution is need of time . Weldone Sherani Sab All Pakistani waiting for religious harmony
Can we allow politically appointed members of this council to decide the fate of this nation? Unfortunately this nation has suffered the most at the hands of such people who think that they are the only one who is right in this world.
Shia Sunni Bhai Bhai... !
What about Ahmadiyya ..... ?
Surprising read but than came the last part "deserving to death". Why it is so easy for these mullahs to pass death remarks ?
Encouraging to hear something good from Maulana and IIC other than marriages and women!
WELDONE
Should have been done before Hudood Ordinance was passed. Too little, too late.
Council of Islamic Ideology has in past passed comments which are against Islam. They were anti women and even Sindh Assembly passed resolution to disband Council of Islamic Ideology. Statements from from council should be ignored.
Does it include the Ahmedi sect as well? Maulana must show courage and say it clearly and laud enough for all to hear that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was wrong to have the Ahmedis declared non-muslims for his condemnable act to politicise religion to save his dwindling support and to appease the mullahs of the day. The Maulana would be rendering a great service to Pakistan to heal this wound and reconcile our alienated compatriots. We are all children of Pakistan and must stand united, the State has no business to intervene in matters between God and the believers.
Pleasant surprise!!!!