ISLAMABAD: A joint sitting of the representatives of different religions and religious sects on Sunday said Islam doesn’t allow forceful conversion of non-Muslims.
Reports revealed that the representatives further agreed that the prevailing issue of Hindu girls and other subsequent matters should be settled in accordance with the law and justice.
The joint sitting was arranged by Mutahida Ulema Board Punjab in collaboration with Pakistan Ulema Council which was presided over by Chairman Mutahida Ulema Board and Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, said a press release.
The joint declaration 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 sitting demanded of the government to ensure implementation on National Action Plan by initiating consultative process for formal legislation of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan Draft’.
The declaration condemned terrorist activities being carried out on account of Islamphobia 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 Mutahida 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 Mutahida 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.
Among notable clerics and representatives of the joint sitting include 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.