Apart from narrating stories during their Friday sermons, the Imams could also become partners with the government. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS/FILE
In an attempt to shore up support from all segments of the society, the government said on Tuesday it is hoping to use the pulpit to improve understanding of the country’s development and social issues.
Apart from narrating stories during their Friday sermons, the Imams could also become partners with the government in sensitising millions of mosque goers every Friday, said Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal.
Addressing the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), Iqbal said, “We are thinking about becoming partners with Imams who should speak about Millennium Development Goals, poverty and malnutrition and make people aware of their responsibilities.”
Involving prayer leaders, the minister said, is one of many interventions that the government has on its cards to address the country’s problems. Since the state is facing multifaceted challenges, he said, the government needs support from all walks of life including from businessmen and religious leaders.
Short of discussing the contours of his plan, Iqbal did not mention the challenges his government may face in convincing clerics to talk about these issues.
“As a nation, we are losing our moral values and we should start from schools before using mosques,” said Bashir Muhammad Ali, chairman of Gul Ahmad Group. He said it is unfortunate that our children do not understand what our religion is about.
While briefing the PBC members about his government’s under preparation mid-term plan 2013-18 and long -term plan Vision 2025, Iqbal spoke at length about the main pillars of the proposed models.
He said it was pity that Bangladesh had overtaken Pakistan in exports, which exposed the weakness of the country’s export models. He also talked about diversification and value addition in exports, resolution of energy crisis, addressing fiscal imbalances and focusing on social issues like health and education.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2013.
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Wishful thinking. There is some thing up their sleeves as they need the nation to look the other way while they are doing their thing.
Very smart move ! As if the clergy's involvement in politics has not been enough for this Nation ! perhaps Give them the Education portfolio too, as its been obvious that they been running that for past three decades, hence such smart generations !
I do not understand these spineless politicians who want to involve the maulvis and mullas and Taliban. These cowards also have miniscule brains and now want the unlettered mullah and the uneducated public to help them. What are they getting huge salaries for?
What has the present government done in the past 3 months? Zero achievement together with some lofty false and impracticable promises. People are much worse off than in pre-election period and slipping down further. When will Pakistani Spring start? The Arab Beduins are doing better than Pakistanis now. And Pakistan should stop participating in Saudi proxy war just because they receive some fraction of Saudi Zakat funds. Please grow some Ghairat! What happened to Dr Iqbals' lessons? I am so ashamed of what has been going on in political circles in Pakistan for several years. Pakistanis do take things lying down whatever is delivered by their government. Please sit up and for heaven's sake, try to stand and confront the leeches in government and remove them by red hot iron rods like leeches. All power to you.
@jibran So what exactly was Musharaf doing? and Zardari? Were they "not" taking out the terrorists??? Did they fail because of lack of will? or in your eyes we need just 5 more years of the same?
Its like asking the fox the help improve security in the hen house.
Bad idea. Imams should not be involved in state affairs. They should only lead prayers and deliver non-controversial sermons.
Government should use state-owned and private media to sensitize citizens about it's policies.
yes more deeper and in depth partnership with Imams.
Government has failed totally. The main problem is the religious figures, and this genius is asking them for the solution. Just wipe the killers, and the murderers. Make and example out of them, so that in future these fanatics will think twice before resorting to violence.