Religious scholars declare suicide attacks, armed struggle against state 'Haram'

ISLAMABAD: Renowned scholars from all schools of thought have issued a unanimous decree declaring suicide attacks, armed insurgency against the state and the use of force in the name of enforcing Shariah as 'Haram' or forbidden in Islam.

The decree, signed by 31 well-known religious scholars, was issued at a national seminar titled 'Reconstruction of Pakistani society in the light of 'Mithaq-e-Madina' (Charter of Madina) and announcement of 'Paigham-e-Pakistan' (Message of Pakistan), held at the International Islamic University, Islamabad.

Addressing the concluding session of the seminar organised by the Islamic Research Institute of International Islamic University, President Mamnoon Hussain said the association of humanity with the Madina Charter for resolution of the issues was because it guaranteed the fundamental rights of economy, justice and education.

The seminar also featured the announcement of a unanimous declaration named as 'Paigham-e-Pakistan', signed by the religious scholars from all schools of thought, calling for action against the forces fanning extremism, true implementation of the law dealing with blasphemy and discouraging mob justice in this regard.

Terming the declaration as historic step taken by scholars, the president said he had also been trying to persuade Ulema to give the people a narrative against terrorism and extremism but the IRI took lead in this regard.

The seminar was attended by Rector IIU Professor Masoom Yasinzai, President IIU Ahmed Yousuf Darweish, Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, prominent religious scholars, including Mufti Rafi Usmani, Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Maulana Hanif Jalandhari, Mufti Naeem Ahmed and others.

Professor Masoom Yasinzai presented the unanimous declaration, while Mufti Rafi Usmani read out the religious edict signed by all religious scholars, which condemned terrorism and extremism, declared suicide attackers and their supporters as traitors, declared Jihad a jurisdiction of Islamic state and disallowed use of force in name of enforcement of Islamic laws.

He said the consideration of developing the society in accordance with the Charter of Madina, despite the experiences and incidents of the previous century was satisfactory. "Being Muslims, we aspire for peace in the whole world and desired progress, prosperity and welfare for the entire humanity."

President Mamnoon also emphasised that a counter-narrative needs to be built to negate the narratives of extremism, hate and terrorism, and to promote peace, harmony and respect of others.

It is necessary to impress upon contemporary world that the ideas they harbour about Pakistan and Muslim Ummah in this regard have nothing to do with reality, he added.

The religious scholars, in the decree, fully backed operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad against the enemies of Pakistan.

The declaration was signed by Mufti Muneebur Rehman, Mufti Rafi Usmani, Maulana Hanif Jalandhari, Mufti Muhammad Naeem, Maulana Abdul Razzak Sikandar, Allama Riaz Hussain Najafi, Maulana Muhammad Yasin Zafar, Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Sialvi, Maulana Zahid Mahmood QasmiMufti Mahmoodul Hassan Mahmood, Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani and others.