The Ulema and Mashaikh of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while strongly condemning recent terrorist attack in Islamabad, have reiterated their resolve to counter all conspiracies of the enemy with complete unity.
The determination was expressed in a joint declaration adopted at an emergency meeting of Ulema and Mashaikh presided by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf in Islamabad today.
The Ulema and Mashaikh also expressed their full confidence in the government and the Armed Forces of Pakistan for elimination of terrorism from the country.
According to the joint declaration, the Ulema and Mashaikh expressed complete solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyrs, prayed for speedy recovery of the injured and the victims.
They made it clear that targeting innocent worshippers in places of worship is contrary to the Islamic teachings, human norms and constitutional and moral principles.
The meeting, while completely rejecting the misleading thinking and all narratives of terrorism of Fitna-al-Khawarij, expressed its determination that all internal and external conspiracies and proxy activities that undermine the peace of Pakistan will be vigorously combated with national unity and full cooperation with state institutions.
The Ulema and Mashaikh expressed their commitment to promote message of peace, tolerance, brotherhood and mutual respect in their sermons, speeches, madaris and religious gatherings and play an effective role in protecting the young generation from extremism by strongly refuting the hateful and “Takfeeri” narratives.
The meeting assured full cooperation with the government and relevant institutions to make the security of Mosques, Imambargahs and other places of worship more effective, strengthen coordination between the administration and administrative committees and activate timely reporting system of any suspicious activities.
The meeting stressed that a shared coordination between state institutions, religious leadership, media and the public is inevitable for complete elimination of terrorism.
While completely supporting the government’s zero tolerance policy, the meeting demanded that the responsible elements should be punished in accordance with law of the land and that priority be given to supporting the families of the martyrs and early rehabilitation of the injured.
The meeting, while lauding the efforts for implementation of uniformed prayer timings across the country, expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the scholars. It also agreed that this system would be effectively implemented with mutual consultation, consensus and love.
In view of forthcoming holy month of Ramazan, the Ulema and Mashaikh conveyed the message to the nation for demonstrating patience, Taqwa, brotherhood, mutual sympathy, tolerance and service to humanity. They appealed to the scholars and preachers to pay special attention to promoting unity of the Muslim Ummah, moral education, interfaith harmony and worship through the pulpit.
The meeting also advised the masses and the administration of mosques to exercise caution, forbearance and tolerance in the context of recent events. The Ulema and Mashaikh also advised the people that the enemies want to provoke the nation and create chaos through such incidents. Therefore, every conspiracy of the enemy should be combated and foiled with unity while maintaining full cooperation, coordination and trust with the government and the armed forces of Pakistan.
The participants of the meeting reiterated their resolve to strengthen peace, stability and religious harmony in Pakistan by thwarting all narratives of terrorism, sectarianism and hatred through shared religious guidance, national unity and mutual cooperation.
The meeting in its joint declaration, unanimously announced that Ulema and Mashaikh and the entire nation stand shoulder to shoulder with the government of Pakistan and the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
The Ulema and Mashaikh further expressed full confidence in every action and strategy devised against terrorism and to uproot the menace of terrorism through national unity, unflinching resolve and joint efforts.
