Unity must for prosperous Islamic world: Shahbaz

Says Muslim countries were far behind the rest of world due to disputes among them.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday Muslim countries were far behind the rest of world due to disputes among them.

“It is time to get united and move forward,” he told delegates from Islamic countries who had participated in the three-day congregation of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

“Muslim countries are rich in natural resources but still they take dictation from others. The West has made tremendous progress in science and technology and research… but we have been unable to get rid of rifts and disputes,” the chief minister said.

He said Islam teaches unity, harmony and brotherhood. “There is a need for adopting these principles. Pakistan was achieved to build an egalitarian society and provide social justice,” Sharif said.

He praised JI ameer Sirajul Haq for ensuring discipline and brotherhood during the public meeting. He said the papers read during the convention were encouraging in view of the current situation in the country.

“The public meeting has raised hopes at a time when the country was faced with numerous challenges.”

The chief minister said political parties should refrain from staging aggressive sit-ins and resorting to potentially violent agitation. He said protest demonstration should be held within the ambit of law. Such demonstrations should not harm the national interest, he said.

Sharif said the foreign delegates too had expressed their love for Pakistan.

Haq thanked the chief minister and his government for extending cooperation for holding the convention. He said unity and harmony were a solution to the problems the Islamic world was faced with.

“Anti-Islam elements are trying to push us towards a war but Holy Quran gives us a lesson of peace. We need unity among our ranks to thwart the conspiracies,” Haq said.

The JI leader said the future of the Islamic world was bright. He assured the chief minister of his support for the country’s well-being.

JI leader Liaqat Baloch and Hammam Saeed from Jordan also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2014.