Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday urged the nation to stand united and rise above petty differences to thwart the designs of those who benefit from dissent and division.
“Any division on the basis of caste, creed, language, or sect is bringing a bad name to the religion of Islam and the teachings of the world’s greatest leader Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),” he said while addressing the 38th National Seerat Conference at the Pak-China Centre.
Ashraf said that for the believers, Islam was a religion of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and justice. “But when we speak of dissent, or try to impose our way of life on others by force, it creates serious problems, further divisions, hate and chaos,” he told the gathering of religious scholars from various schools of thought.
“We loose temper over minor things and resort to violence, while knowing well that we are the followers of one Allah, one Quran and the Sunnah of His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he added. The prime minister termed it a denial of the teachings and urged that the nation needed to stand united to confront all internal and external challenges.
When a religious scholar said that the entire community of clerics would support the prime minister if he raised voice against drone strikes, Ashraf replied that the government had taken up the matter at all international fora. “We have always said that drone attacks are not the solution,” he said and added that the government condemned and rejected all forms of terrorism that killed innocent people.
The prime minister said US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson, who also attended the conference, had also been conveyed the same sentiments of the government. He said terrorism had caused a lot of damage to Pakistan and today no one felt safe anymore. “Our schools, homes and places of worship are no more safe. We live with a sense of constant fear,” he said. “It is time to show collective wisdom and find a way out, with patience, tolerance and unity.”
The prime minister said that Islam categorically rejected all those who supported violence, extremism and terrorism, as those had no place in a religion that stood for peace and tolerance, and as was evident from the teachings and life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He said that unfortunately a handful of elements were trying to impose their own specific agenda in the garb of Islam and were not only shattering peace and tranquillity of the country, but were also bringing a bad name to Islam.
“Any follower of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and a true Pakistani can never be part of such a satanic attitude,” he said. The prime minister asked how the true followers of Islam be touted as terrorists. “Pakistanis are neither terrorists nor are they afraid of them, and by seeking guidance from the life and teachings of Holy Prophet (PBUH), they will defeat all the forces of evil and prove that Islam stands for peace and tolerance,” he added.
