Ashrafi terms interfaith dialogue essential

Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, on Sunday strongly condemned the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.

Addressing a seminar at the Lahore Press Club, the PM’aide stressed the need for interfaith dialogue and global legislation against blasphemy or desecration of any celestial religion or scripture.

He expressed gratitude towards Pope Francis, Christian leaders, and leaders of other non-Muslim faiths in Sweden for their condemnation of the holy book.

He affirmed the Pakistan Ulema Council’s full support for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its agreements under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, urging the government to take immediate action against individuals involved in promoting campaigns against the armed forces and the nation.

Ashrafi demanded swift justice for the perpetrators of the May 9 incidents and the release of innocent individuals who have been detained without evidence.

He emphasised that extremist and foreign ideologies had caused most damage to Islam and Muslims.

The seminar also deliberated on the necessity of global legislation

to protect the sanctity of holy sites.

The scholars highlighted the exemplary rights granted to non-Muslims during the era of the Rashidun Caliphs. The non-Muslim community in Pakistan expressed strong condemnation of the events in Sweden, they added.

APP