Debate competition held for seminary students

Islamabad
The Majlis-e-Saut-ul-Islam, Pakistan, organised a debate competition for students of seminaries at Jinnah Convention Centre here on Thursday, says a press release.
Usman Fayaz of Madrassa Islamia, Tipu Market (Islamabad), won the first prize of Rs1 million, Muhammad Abdullah Fazal from Jamia Muhammadia won the second prize of Rs0.5 million, while Mustafa Aziz of Madrassa Husnain (Faisalabad) won the third prize of Rs0.25 million.
The competition was held among the pre-qualified 12 students of different seminaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The event was participated by thousands of religious scholars, administrators and students of seminaries across the country.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf was the chief guest on the occasion. While Secretary General of Wafaqul Madaris Arabia, Pakistan, Maulana Hanif Jalndhari, Chairman of Majlis-e-Saut-ul-Islam Pakistan Mufti Abu Hurera Mohiuddin, Mohtamim of Jamia-Ashrafia (Lahore) Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, religious scholars and political and religious leaders attended the event.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf while appreciating the role of religious scholars said that such activities would help promote peace in society. He asked religious scholars to play their due role for a prosperous and peaceful Pakistan. He greeted the successful students and said that the future peaceful Pakistan demands that all of us must play our due role for the betterment of our country as it is our moral and religious obligation. He said that the role of religious institutes cannot be ignored and their cooperation is required to eradicate this evil from society.
While addressing the audience, Chairman of Majlis-e-Saut-ul-Islam, Pakistan Mufti Abu Hurera Mohiyuddin said that the purpose of holding this competition is to eradicate and abolish extremism, terrorism, sectarianism and interfaith conflicts and protect students from such conflicts. He said earlier Majlis-e-Saut-ul-Islam, Pakistan, conducted debate competitions at district and provincial levels, which were highly appreciated and participated by students of all religious schools of thought. He said that Majlis-e-Saut-ul-Islam, Pakistan, will continue its activities and events to create awareness about these ills of society.
In the end, a joint declaration was signed and issued by the renowned religious scholars, administrators and students of different seminaries in the aftermath of prevailing circumstances.
According to the joint declaration, religious scholars and administrators jointly supported the National Action Plan of the government and demanded its implementation without discrimination of cast and creed to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.
Moreover, efforts would be made to enhance the environment of peace, harmony and tolerance. The declaration also appealed the nation to abolish the linguistic, sectarian and other differences.