In a bid to ensure peace, sectarian harmony, and national unity during the sacred month of Muharram 1447 AH, a high-level consultative meeting of prominent religious scholars and spiritual leaders from Islamabad and Rawalpindi was held on Monday at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who emphasized the vital role of religious scholars in maintaining peace during Muharram, as witnessed in previous years. 

Speaking to the participants, the minister said a comprehensive joint strategy has been formulated in consultation with Ulema and Mashaikh to promote sectarian tolerance, brotherhood, and inter-sect unity across the country. He stressed the importance of conducting similar coordination meetings at provincial and district levels to strengthen this approach nationwide. “There is an urgent need for unity and consensus among scholars from all schools of thought to safeguard the spirit of inter-sect harmony and address the evolving national and global challenges,” the minister said.

 Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced a unified code of conduct, which includes the following key points: all religious schools of thought will make sincere efforts to foster love, tolerance, and mutual understanding; reverence will be maintained for the sacred personalities of all sects, avoiding any form of disrespect or derogatory remarks; scholars, preachers, and writers will adopt balance and restraint in their speeches and writings, refraining from any provocative content that may hurt others’ sentiments; sectarian disputes will be resolved through consultation, understanding.

In addition, the federal government also appealed to provincial administrations to replicate such meetings at their respective levels to ensure an atmosphere of peace and harmony throughout the country during Muharram. The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolve to uphold the sanctity of Muharram and safeguard inter-sectarian unity through collective efforts and responsible discourse.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)