The role of ulema is vital for maintenance of peace and stability in the country and they are doing their jobs efficiently, said speakers while addressing a seminar in Peshawar Press Club.
The seminar titled “Peace and Interfaith Harmony” was held under the auspices of the International United Ulema and Religious Scholars Council.
Religious scholars, representatives of both liberal and religious political parties, and ulema from across the province attended the event.
Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussein was chief guest on the occasion. Noted speakers included World United Ulema and Religious Scholars Council’s (IUUC) Chairperson Allama Mohammad Shoaib, President IUUC Fata Saadullah Jan, Central General Secretary PML-Q Intikhab Khan Chamkani, President Islamic Movement Allama Ramzan Tauqeer, JUI-F’s leader Maulana Rafeeq, Elah-Sunat Wal Jamaat’s leader in Peshawar Mohammad Islmail Darwish, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Maulana Yousaf Quershi, and Ghulam Rasool.
The speakers stressed a need for unity, tolerance and sectarian harmony amongst different sects of the religion and tranquillity in their files and ranks for maintenance of lasting peace and stability in this part of the region. They expressed concern over the silent role of the ulema for the restoration of peace and called for shunning of internal differences for amicable resolution of problems confronting the country in general and Khyber-Pakhtunkwa in particular.
IUUC’s chairperson, Mohammad Shoaib, in his welcome address explained the objectives of formation of the ulema organisation. He said that in the prevailing security situation, ulema, religious scholars, traders, and common folk are adversely affected.
He stressed the need for collective efforts for restoration of lasting peace and stability in the country, especially in the province. The problems, he said should be resolved through concrete arguments and evidence, instead of blaming each other. He urged the ulema to shun all kinds of internal differences for the peace and prosperity of the country.
“Our responsibility is to defeat anti-Muslim forces for the protection of territorial integrity,” he said, adding that the ulema will foil all kinds of nefarious designs of non-state actors through displaying unity among their ranks.
“Ulema are not terrorists, and wants a role in maintenance of peace through their solid approaches and arguments,” he added.
Saadullah, President of IUUC Fata in his speech emphasised that there was a need to strengthen security at borders to foil any sort of incursion by external elements.
Ghulam Rasool Chisti, vice chairman of the peace committee, said Islam is the religion of peace and harmony and preaches tolerance among all religious sects.
Other prominent ulema including also stressed the need of unity and sectarian harmony in the prevailing situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2010.
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