Ulema united against misuse of blasphemy laws: Ashrafi
LAHORE: The Muttahida Ulema Board has termed terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence and killing of innocent people in the name of religion anti-Islam, stating Islamic law and the Constitution have already determined the rights of Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan.
Addressing a Press Conference here on Monday, Pakistan Ulema Council, Muthahida Ulema Board chairman and Special Representative to Prime Minister on Interreligious Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said the Shariah and Constitution protected the rights of all the minorities. “If any group, individual or organisation violates the law, legal action should be taken against it. No one should be allowed to take the law into their own hands and no Muslim or non-Muslim should be extra-judicially executed, and if anyone does so, all religious schools of thought, clerics and religious organizations have announced unanimously their disassociation.”
He also called on human rights organizations and NGOs to come forward and cooperate in ensuring the rights of minorities. He stated that people of all religions and religious schools of thought had freedom in Pakistan to live their lives according to the rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
“There should be a complete ban on offensive and anarchist contents, publication of hateful pamphlets, writings, distribution and publications of such content, cassettes based on provocative and hateful material and internet websites with such content should be checked and banned.”
Solidarity should be expressed by holding joint meetings at public level to promote Inter-religious harmony, he said, adding it is responsibility of the government and Muslim population to ensure protection of worship places of non-Muslims and take care of their lives and properties.
“It is also responsibility of the government to also deal severely with those who cause any loss to the worship places of non-Muslims and their lives and properties. The government should ensure implementation of the National Action Plan without any discrimination.”
Hafiz Ashrafi invited all NGOs, media representatives if they have any evidence of misuse of the blasphemy laws, they should come forward. In response to a question, he said that the new examination boards of the seminaries would strengthen the education system in Madaris. He said that representatives of old examination boards of Madaris should welcome the new boards. He said that no decision was taken yet on the registration of the Wafaqul Masajid-o-Madaris of Pakistan.
