Paigham-e-Pakistan Fatwa: 'Endorsement by Egypt’s grand mufti major feat’

Minister Yousaf says people from all beliefs enjoying the same rights as Pakistanis do

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Thursday termed the full endorsement of Paigham-e-Pakistan Fatwa by Egypt’s grand mufti as a major achievement for Pakistan.

“Pakistan is making all-out efforts in countering hate speech and content inflaming religious sentiments,” said the minister while addressing the participants of an ‘International Moot on Promoting Interfaith Harmony’ organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony at a local hotel.

The moot was attended by Egypt Grand Mufti Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam along with numerous internationally-renowned religious scholars belonging to all sects and people from various beliefs.

Pakistan had planned to organise this international conference for promoting interfaith harmony in a bid to improve the image of the country after the US State Department placed Pakistan on its Special Watch List over ‘severe violations’ of religious freedom earlier this year.

The main objective of this conference was to counter the statement of the US State Department, and give the international community a strong message that Pakistan fully believes in promoting interfaith harmony.

“This conference will give a clear and loud message to the world that in Pakistan people belonging to all beliefs are living with full dignity, freedom and respect. They are enjoying their rights just like all other Pakistani citizens,” he said.

He said that earlier Imam-e-Kaaba had also endorsed the Paigham-e-Pakistan Fatwa.

Taking over the podium, Egypt’s grand mufti said, “Egypt fully endorses and supports Paigam-e-Pakistan.”

He said that Egypt was ready to fully cooperate and support Pakistan in countering extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence.

National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua said that enemies of Islam and Muslims were hatching conspiracies to divide the community on sectarian grounds.

He said, “The national narrative Paigham-e-Pakistan fully condemns targeting any Muslim or non-Muslim in terrorist attacks and forbids suicide bombing.”