ISLAMABAD (Agencies) — A joint sitting of the representatives of different religions and religious sects on Sunday in Islamabad said Islam doesn’t allow forceful conversion of non-Muslims, according to Pakistani media reports.
The participants also agreed that the prevailing issue of Hindu girls and other subsequent matters should be settled in accordance with the law and justice.
According to the press release the joint sitting was arranged by Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab in collaboration with Pakistan Ulema Council which was presided over by Chairman Muttahida Ulema Board and Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.
The joint declaration after the sitting pointed out that Islam is a religion of peace, harmony, stability and that teachings of Islam and Quran-O-Sunnah have categorically defined rights for non-Muslim communities residing in Muslim countries, the News reported.
The declaration condemned terrorist activities being carried out on account of Islamophobia and also demanded constitution of a judicial commission to probe the killing of Bahawalpur professor to avert such extremist incidents in future.
The joint sitting pointed out that ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan Draft’has been unanimously endorsed by all the religious sections of Pakistan and formal consultative process should be ensured for formal legislation of it.
The joint sitting lauded efforts on part of Muttahida Ulema Board to keep check on hateful content being propagated through social media and also lauded endeavors of Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar for taking immediate action against elements fanning hatred and violence in society.
The joint sitting also lauded the efforts of Muttahida Ulema Board for reinforcing coordination relating to interfaith harmony and for constituting the coordination committees at divisional, district and tehsil level to ensure implementation on decisions of the board.
Notable clerics of various faiths participated in the joint sitting include, among others, Maulana Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Professor Zakirur Rehman, Mufti Muhammad Naqshbandi, Maulana AsadUllah Farooq, Hafiz Kazim Raza, Father James, Father Shahzad, Maulana Aseed ur Rehman, Amarnath Randhawa, Pastor Imanuel Khokhar and Pastor Shahid Miraj.
