World Handwashing Day marked

PESHAWAR: The Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Department in collaboration with Unicef marked the Word Handwashing Day on Thursday.
Deputy Secretary Development Said Rehman presided over the function while Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan, United Nation Humanitarian Affairs Officer Tom Otiento Otunga, Unicef Chief Field Officer Peshawar Dr Francis Kampundu and representatives of various non-governmental organisations including International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Inayatullah Khan said that observing the World Handwashing Day was meant ‘to raise a hand for hygiene.’ “There are two kinds of cleanliness; physical and spiritual. As far as physical cleanliness is concerned, it is of two types; one is related to human body and the other is related to environment, water, house, road and public places,” the minister said. He added that apart from body, Islam required a Muslim to keep his clothes, houses and streets clean.
He said that in fact a Muslim cannot offer his prayers with unclean body, clothes or using dirty premises. “They are asked to use clean water and keep it safe from impurities and pollution.” He urged the mediapersons to raise awareness regarding hygiene in the people and its importance. “Islam and medical science are on the same page about hygiene,” he added.
Inayatullah, who is also the senior minister, said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of clean drinking water and sanitation for all. Later, the children were given cash prizes and shields for their performance.