Sargodha: (Parliament Times) A two-day workshop held here on Monday stressed the need for creating awareness to eliminate all kinds of terrorism in the country and a way forward on the path of progress and prosperity under the theme ‘Reconstruction of an Inclusive Islamic Society in the Light of Paigham-e-Pakistan’.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Islamic Studies (UoS) and the Islamic Research Institute (IRI)-International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).A large number of Ulema, representatives of civil society, students and faculty members participated in the workshop.
Dr Feroz Uddin Shah, Chairman Department of Islamic Studies, UoS welcomed all the prestigious guests in his opening remarks. He said that international forces were conspiring against Pakistan in order to weaken it by fanning internal conflicts and differences.“Under an organized international conspiracy, huge amounts are being spent to stoke violent extremism, terrorism and sectarianism in Pakistan,”he added saying that it was necessary to come up with a national narrative, Paigham-e-Pakistan which could play its role in eliminating terrorism, sectarianism and trend of declaring others infidels (Takfiri).
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr Nawaz Mehsud, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities, UoS said that Islam preaches peace and harmony; it gives very clear message of respecting humanity and stresses strict implementation of these principles. Linkage between Ulema and educational institutions can help defeat the designs of people behind Islamophobia, he added.
Dr Zia ul Haq, Director General IRI-IIUI apprised about objectives of the workshop and thanked the participants. He elaborated the role of Ulema in promotion of peace in societies and informed that Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative is a basic national narrative that reflects unity and religious responsibility of the eminent scholars of all schools of thoughts in Pakistan. It is incumbent upon all of us to disseminate this message by way of our statements and actions by modifying our way of thinking and attitudes in the light of Paigham-e-Pakistan.
A national narrative is the voice of the masses and the clerics, religious scholars, teachers, policymakers and civil society members have a key role in formulating it, he said, adding that promotion of this initiative is the national and religious obligation of the ulema and mashaikh belonging to all sects and religious groups.
The workshop will continue today [Tuesday]. Certificates will be awarded to the participants during the closing ceremony to be held today.
