Madaris, mosques’ bodies agree to punish child molesters

LAHORE: Clerics and religious scholars of different religious schools of thought have said that it is not right to target mosques and seminaries because of an individual's act.

Addressing a press conference here Friday at Jamia Manzoorul Islamia, Lahore, leadership of different religious schools of thought, including Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Special Representative to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East, said that new seminaries boards are a step in the right direction, and elements fanning differences between old seminary boards and new boards are not well-wishers.

All the madaris from Darul Uloom Haqqania to Darul Uloom Karachi and from Jamia Manzoorul Islamia to Khairul Madaris are being protected and will be protected in future as well.

Imran Khan's statement about women's Hijab is in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, said Ashrafi.

Ashrafi said that no fatwa was issued against anyone in the Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference, adding that decision on airbases reflected sentiments of Pakistanis. Pakistan will not allow anyone to utilize its soil against anyone.

He said that a planned campaign was launched against seminaries on account of a leaked video. All sections of religious schools of thought have agreed that strict punishment should be accorded whosoever commits a crime.

Ashrafi said that rape and molestation cases were also reported in schools, colleges and universities.

He said that Pakistan Ulema Council had asked the federal and provincial governments to constitute special help desks to report sexual crimes and cases should be decided in three to four months to persecute the culprits.

He said that the Pakistan Ulema Council is a protector of seminaries and mosques without any discrimination.

Responding to a question, Ashrafi said that new seminary boards are being established with the very objective.

Responding to a question, Ashrafi said that process to release Pakistani prisoners jailed in Saudi Arabia got delayed because of corona.