LAHORE: State Minister for Education and Professional Training Baleeghur Rehman has called upon ulema and religious seminaries to create awareness among the masses on terrorism.
Addressing an annual prize distribution and Dastarbandi ceremony at Jamiat-ul-Kher on Wednesday, the minister said terrorism had caused great loss to the country, its economy and above all the religion of Islam, adding that innocent people were being killed by terrorists.
The minister called upon clerics to expose those who misguided people in the name of Islam and Jehad (holy war), and ask people to be aware of such pseudo scholars. “Ulema must preach patience, humility and kindness,” he added.
Baleegh said Islam teaches a lesson of respect, tolerance and peaceful social existence, adding that it teaches to respect all religions.
The minister also urged ulema to unite and support the government in the war against terror.
About a uniform education system across Pakistan, the minister said the government had been working on implementation of a uniform education system in consultation with the provinces, but added that the class system was the biggest stumbling block.
He also said that a bill would soon be tabled in the National Assembly for including the education of holy Quran in syllabus, adding that a standing committee of the NA had already approved the manuscript of the bill.
Under this bill, according to the minister, reading of the holy Quran will be made compulsory in all educational institutions and seminaries.
The minister said the bill would become part of the constitution after passage from the NA and Senate by year-end.
He said it was the need of the hour to provide religious, secular and technical education to students.
Provincial Minister Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Religious Affairs Zaeem Qadri and Chairman Jamiat-ul-Kher also spoke on the occasion. Later, State Minister for Education Baleeghur Rehman gave away prizes to students of the seminary.
