ISLAMABAD, July 12 (APP): Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti announced on Monday to set up a National Interfaith Council aimed at promoting brotherhood, harmony and co-existence among various sects and faiths. “The council would be formally established after the holy month of Ramazan,” he said while talking to media after attending a national interfaith consultation conference organized by the Ministry of Minorities Affairs.
More than 50 Ulema, scholars and intellectuals from different schools of thought and faiths attended the conference and strongly condemned the incidents of terrorism taking place in the country.
The minister reading out a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the seminar, said,”It is need of the day that all patriotic citizens, including leaders of various faiths and denominations should join hands for promoting interfaith harmony and defeating the conspirators and anti-state elements.”
The session unanimously decided to launch a country-wide campaign to promote interfaith harmony and ensure peaceful co-existence under the umbrella of ministry by taking along scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and human rights activists.
The declaration said,” no religion of the world allows taking lives of innocent people by carrying out subversive activities so We all condemn the acts of extremism and terrorism declaring them Haram (forbidden.)”
It said terrorist attacks on religious places, shrines, schools, hospitals, state institutions, offices of law enforcement agencies, public and private buildings were the worst examples of barbaric acts.
The interfaith session appreciated the role of Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in the war against terrorism, assuring its full support to the government in uprooting this menace.
The declaration also underlined the need for exhibiting national unity to ensure peace and stability in the country, suggesting to ban publishing of hatred material.
It also demanded that the subject of interfaith harmony should be made part of curriculum at appropriate levels.
According to the declaration, blood banks would be established across the country to ensure provision of blood for innocent victims of terrorism with the commitment to motivate people to donate blood.
Responding to a question, Shahbaz Bhatti said a hotline would also be set up in the ministry to listen to the problems of minorities living in the country.
Bhatti said round-the-clock operating hotline would be connected with all police stations to ensure immediate response to the calls of minorities, seeking any kind of help or protection.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would inaugurate the hotline at the end of this month, he added.
Besides, he said committees would be established in all districts of the country to promote interfaith harmony and national solidarity, failing the nefarious designs of the anti-state elements fanning sectarianism.
The minister said the committees would keep an eye in surroundings of their respective localities and hold monthly meetings with district coordination officers. “Reports of every meeting would be sent to the concerned quarters for necessary action,” he added.
(Reported in Associated Press of Pakistan, July 12)
More than 50 Ulema, scholars and intellectuals from different schools of thought and faiths attended the conference and strongly condemned the incidents of terrorism taking place in the country.
The minister reading out a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the seminar, said,”It is need of the day that all patriotic citizens, including leaders of various faiths and denominations should join hands for promoting interfaith harmony and defeating the conspirators and anti-state elements.”
The session unanimously decided to launch a country-wide campaign to promote interfaith harmony and ensure peaceful co-existence under the umbrella of ministry by taking along scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and human rights activists.
The declaration said,” no religion of the world allows taking lives of innocent people by carrying out subversive activities so We all condemn the acts of extremism and terrorism declaring them Haram (forbidden.)”
It said terrorist attacks on religious places, shrines, schools, hospitals, state institutions, offices of law enforcement agencies, public and private buildings were the worst examples of barbaric acts.
The interfaith session appreciated the role of Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in the war against terrorism, assuring its full support to the government in uprooting this menace.
The declaration also underlined the need for exhibiting national unity to ensure peace and stability in the country, suggesting to ban publishing of hatred material.
It also demanded that the subject of interfaith harmony should be made part of curriculum at appropriate levels.
According to the declaration, blood banks would be established across the country to ensure provision of blood for innocent victims of terrorism with the commitment to motivate people to donate blood.
Responding to a question, Shahbaz Bhatti said a hotline would also be set up in the ministry to listen to the problems of minorities living in the country.
Bhatti said round-the-clock operating hotline would be connected with all police stations to ensure immediate response to the calls of minorities, seeking any kind of help or protection.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would inaugurate the hotline at the end of this month, he added.
Besides, he said committees would be established in all districts of the country to promote interfaith harmony and national solidarity, failing the nefarious designs of the anti-state elements fanning sectarianism.
The minister said the committees would keep an eye in surroundings of their respective localities and hold monthly meetings with district coordination officers. “Reports of every meeting would be sent to the concerned quarters for necessary action,” he added.
(Reported in Associated Press of Pakistan, July 12)
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