Religious seminaries and their students should play a vital role in establishing a peaceful and tolerant society because the unstable political system has created disappointment and discontent among the masses, urged religious scholars and experts on Monday.
They were addressing a one-day training workshop for madrassa students titled ‘Present challenges and responsibilities’ organised by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies – an Islamabad-based think tank – in Karachi. Hundreds of madrassa students hailing from different schools of thought attended the programme. Speaking about ‘New challenges and responsibilities’, University of Karachi Pakistan Study Centre head Dr Jaffer Ahmed said it is the need of the hour to encourage the culture of dialogue among different segments of the society to promote peace and harmony.
He said social reforms are only possible after changes in the economic policies. “Our country has been facing severe problems at internal and external fronts for the last several years, coupled with the weakness of the state to tackle them alone. It has thus become essential for the civil society organisations and other segments of the society to play an active role in this regard,” he added. Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman said, “We can prepare a better policy and solve the problems that Muslims are facing all around the world in a better way.
He said, “We can’t impose our viewpoints on others, and unequal economic structure has changed the behaviours of the people. Research and arguments are compulsory for religion, and its lack causes difficulties like Muslims are facing in present times.” Lahore High Court International Law Committee Chairman Usman Khan Advocate discussed at length the evolution of Islamic laws in Pakistan.
He said the 1973 Constitution has a preamble that forms the basis of Islamic legislation and Article 2 clearly mentions that Islam is the religion of Pakistan. “The ninth chapter of the Constitution lays out the procedures of Islamic legislation,” he added.
Centre for Public Policy and Governance Director Dr Saeed Shafqat said the educational sector lacks integral factors like research. “If we teach arts and skills to our children and bring them towards research, then the educational system will have fruitful results,” he added. Senior journalist Mujahid Barelvi discussed the role of the media, whereas Research Society of International Law research fellow Haris Ramzan spoke on legal issues.