In search of calm: Clerics urge unity, harmony among Muslims

Clerics from different schools of thought gather under one platform for the first time.

ISLAMABAD:

Religious leaders on Tuesday urged for forging unity and harmony among different sects to bring peace in the country.

They had gathered at an award distribution ceremony of the seminary students which was organised by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).

It was for the first time that the seminary students were conferred awards at a single platform for their outstanding performance in their respective seminaries and boards. As many as 35 seminary students of different religious institutions and boards from across the country were given shields and awards in recognition of their performance.

The ceremony was attended by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman and President Wafaqul Madaris Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia President Maulana Hanif Jalandhry, Rabitaul Madaris President Maulana Muhammad Malik, Wafaqul Madaris Director-General Maulana Yasin Zafar and Vice-President Wafaqul Madaris Al-Shia Maulana Niaz Hussain Naqvi.

The clerics stressed on Muslims to play their role for bringing peace and tranquility in the region. “Islam gives the message of peace, harmony and justice which should reflect in our society,” said a religious scholar at the occasion.

Mufti Rehman said that ulema (clerics) should play their due role in spreading message of peace and brotherhood. “Religious leaders should play a positive role by analysing the issues being faced by the country and offering solutions which are acceptable to all,” he said.

He also bemoaned the fact that the religious leaders were never provided an opportunity to lead the country but were always blamed for the situation the country was in.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Ulema Board Chairman Pir Muhammad Aminul Hasnat said that the government has ignored the religious seminaries and is not sincere with these students.

Hanif Jalandhry had similar complaints. “It is for the first time that seminary students were encouraged in this manner. They are always ignored by both, the government and the civil society,” he said. “Dealing with these students in discriminatory manner is also not the solution,” he added.

Sharing the responsibility of promoting harmony in the society, Allama Niaz Hussain Naqvi said, “The religious leaders and government are equally responsible for maintaining peace.” However, he said that work should also be done to remove the label of terrorists that has been given to the religious groups.

Director PIPS Muhammad Amir Rana said that the objective of the event was to promote reconciliation, patience and peace among the religious groups. He added that such interactions would bring different religious groups on a single platform and promote unity among them.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2011.