Committee to evolve consensus on uniform ‘Azan’ timings

Islamabad
An eight-member committee has been constituted on Wednesday with the mandate to evolve consensus over uniform ‘Azan’ and prayer timings in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The committee having representation of Ulema has been tasked to report next week so that the uniform prayers and ‘Azan’ timings could be implemented in ICT.
This was decided in a meeting held at Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Over 25 Ulema belonging to various schools of thoughts attended the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Muhammad Amin ul Hasnaat Shah.
Talking on the occasion the Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf floated the idea of uniform prayers and ‘Azan’ timings. Ulema appreciated the suggestion of the minister and assured fullest cooperation in this regard.
Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the uniform prayer timings would help spread message of peace and elimination of terrorism from the country. He said uniform prayer and ‘Azan’ timings would be introduced in government offices. A notification would be issued soon.
Ulema asked the minister to direct heads of various organisations and institutions to implement uniform prayer timings in their respective offices.
State Minister Pir Muhammad Amin ul Hasnaat said the establishment of uniform prayer and ‘Azan’ timings was the constitutional responsibility of the government.
The uniform timings of prayers and ‘Azan’ would be initiated in the federal capital and extended across the country.
Ulema expressed their reservations over the ban on the use of loud speaker and urged the minister to lift the ban. They favoured action against the use of loud speaker for spreading hatred. Sardar Yousaf assured cooperation.