Leaders of different religions denounce New Zealand killings

LAHORE: Leadership of different religions and religious sects while denouncing the brutal killings of innocent Muslims in New Zealand termed the incident crime against humanity.

In a joint statement issued here on Sunday, the religious leaders said the faithful of all the heavenly religions were against any form of terrorism and religious extremism. The representatives of different religions and religious sects also stressed for unity and interfaith harmony to contain the elements aiming at fanning religious violence and hatred.

Pakistan Ulema Council/Mutahida Ulema Board Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Maulana Abdul Karim Nadeem, Qazi Matiullah Saeedi, Maulana Muhammad Khan Leghari, Ghulam Hussain Akbar, Maulana Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi, Allama Afzal Haidri, Maulana AsadUllah Farooq, Maulana Aseedur Rehman, Maulana Asim Makhdoom, Maulana Qasim Qasmi, Sardar Bishon Singh, Dr Ramesh Kumar and others stated that the enemies of humanity were responsible for New Zealand brutal incident. Extremism and terrorism have no association with any religion. The entire humanity should get united against the enemies of peace and harmony. The terrorists responsible for brutal killings of innocent Muslims in New Zealand mosques are the killers of humanity, they said.

The religious leaders stated the elements fanning hatred against Muslims were unaware of the basic teachings of Islam. All the heavenly religions preach peace and harmony in the world. Muslims of any country all over the world respect and honour the believers of other religions. A brave Pakistani, Naeem Rashid, keeping aside fears for his own life tried to capture a terrorist of New Zealand mosque attack and laid his life in a bid to save the lives of other human beings.

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi announced that a joint congregation under the aegis of Pakistan Ulema Council would be held on March 29 to condemn the New Zealand incident and express solidarity with the martyrs. The representatives of all the religions and religious sects in Pakistan would attended the event, he added.

service: A special memorial service was organised at Bahar Colony, Kot Lakhpat, for the martyrs of New Zealand incident on Sunday. The event was attended by MNA Shanila Ruth, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Ijaz Alam Augustine, pastors from all over the country and a large number of Christians. They prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs. MNA, Shahnila Ruth said all religions teach love and peace.