ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ulema Council with the coordination of all schools of thought has released a 10-point code of conduct for restoration of peace during Muharram.
The code of conduct urged the religious organizations as well as all religious sects in the country to ensure implementation on the recommendations of the code of conduct by cooperating with law enforcement agencies of the country through the platform of ‘National Reconciliatory Council’.
Tahir Ashrafi, chairman PUC chaired a meeting of the council, which drafted the following recommendations.
“There is no space for terrorism; extremism and sectarian violence at the name of Islam in the country and leadership of all religious sects should announce to disassociate themselves from all elements accomplice in the menaces of sectarian violence, terrorism and extremism.”
“Any scholar, orator or cleric in their public sermons will not use sacrilegious remarks for prophets, family and wives of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), caliphs, Imams and about Imam Mehdi and any religious sect will not support or endorse any blasphemer.”
“Any Islamic sect should not be declare ‘infidel’ and any Muslim or non-Muslim should not be declare ‘worthy of killing’ and people of Pakistan and believers of all religious sects will live their lives as per rights of Constitution of Pakistan.” “There should be complete ban on usage of loudspeaker except ‘Azan’ and ‘Juma Sermon’. While people of all religions and religious sects will use loudspeakers for their religious congregations with permission of local administration.”
“There should be complete ban on publication of violent religious content, hate-speeches, outrageous literature, books based on hateful content, CDs, websites carrying seditious content. Similarly there should be complete ban on hurting and outrageous religious slogans and no sacrilegious remarks will be made about Imams, Mujtahids and Islamic Jurisprudents.” “Joint religious congregations will be held to demonstrate solidarity within all religious sects.”
“It is responsibility of the government to ensure protection to the sacred places and worship places of the minorities living in Pakistan; therefore government of Pakistan should handle strictly all the elements accomplice in posing threats to the minorities and worship places of the minorities and their properties in the country.” “Government of Pakistan should ensure implementation on ‘National Action Plan’ without any discrimination.” “Cohesive coordination mechanism should be maintained between ‘Local Administration’ and administrators of Majalis and religious processions during Muharramul Haram relating time schedule and routes of these processions.”
“In case of any untoward incident and accident, members of ‘National Reconciliatory Council’ will reach the incident place immediately and thwart public from violence and provocation.”
Ashrafi appealed to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and chief ministers to cooperate with PUC, National Reconciliatory Council and religious organisations to ensure implementation of code of conduct.
Published in Daily Times, September 14th 2017.
