Clerics denounce terrorism, reiterate resolve to end menace

Declaration urges govt to ease registration of seminaries, mosques

LAHORE: Representatives of political and religious organisations of the country have agreed unanimously to carry out a joint-struggle for the elimination of the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country.

Clerics and representatives of 28 religious and political organisations from Pakistan gathered here on Sunday at Paigham-e-Islam Ulema Mashaykh Convention held under the aegis of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC). The participants of the convention announced to observe 2019 as the year to mark the 'annihilation of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence from the country'.

The convention demanded of the provincial and federal government to resolve the grievances of seminaries and mosques with immediate effect. Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, who presided over the convention, said that a Dar-ul-Afta (or fatwa council) is being constituted to keep check on issuance of religious decrees in the country through a proper mechanism.



The joint declaration asserted that extremist and terrorist mindset has caused the most harm to Islam and the Muslim world. "Islam has nothing to do with extremism and terrorism as teachings of Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has stressed on seeking moderate way," it stated.

The convention also discussed cited the declaration in Islamabad on January 6, in which religious scholars of the country announced unanimously that extremist ideologies should not be associated with Islam and Muslims. The religious leadership of Pakistan has also made it very explicit with the unanimous Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative that Islam and Muslims should not be affiliated with extremism and terrorism.

The convention urged the government to initiate consultative process for proper legislation of a draft. It demanded of the prime minister to resolve the grievances of seminaries and mosques regarding their registration process. "The seminaries are serving a major share of the country's populace and concerns of religious sections of society regarding seminaries registration should be addressed on priority without further delay," it demanded.

The convention also appealed to the chief justice to make arrangements for leading religious scholars of the country to listen to the arguments in the review petition of Aasia Bibi's case.

On the issue of the extension of military courts, the convention called on the government to not politicse the issue and to take measures to reform the judicial system of the country. Extremism and terrorism will get reinforcement if extension is not given to military courts, said participants of the convention.

The joint declaration lauded the efforts of the Imran Khan's government for strengthening bilateral relations with Muslim countries. It also welcomed the decision of Saudi Crown Prince Amir Muhammad bin Salman to visit Pakistan and also increase his country's investment in Pakistan.

It also praised Pakistan as well as Saudi Arabia for their respective roles in the peace talks between Afghanistan and United States, while underscoring the importance of the resolution of the 17-year old conflict for peace and stability in the region.

A resolution adopted at the conference condemned the Sahiwal tragedy, in which three family members were shot dead by police, and demanded of the government to expose the elements responsible for the barbarity. While lauding security institutions, including the counter-terrorism department, for rendering enormous sacrifices to defeat terrorism and extremism from Pakistan, it added that any campaigning on account of Sahiwal incident against security institutions will not be acceptable.

The council also announced that 4th International Message of Islam Conference will be held on 3rd March 2019 in Islamabad, which will see the participation of 5,000 ulemas and religious scholars from Pakistan and across the Muslim world.

The keynote speakers of the convention included Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Maulana Pir Abdul Qadoos Naqshbandi, Maulana Qari Mubashar Rahimi, Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Qari Abdul Hakeem Athar, Maulana Shamsul Haq, Qari Shabbir Yusuf Gujjar, Maulana Ahsan Ahmad Husseni and Maulana Mumtaz Rabbani.