Lahore: Clerics affiliated with the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) stressed in sermons delivered during Friday congregations that the stability and security of the ummah lied in the unity of Muslim countries. This was stated in a press release issued by the PUC. The statement also quoted PUC leaders as urging Iranian government to settle its differences with Arab states through negotiations. It said said elements hatching conspiracies to create divisions among Muslim countries would be defeated. The Qatar-Saudi rift should be settled through dialogue using the forum of the Gulf Coordination Council, it added. Addressing a sermon at Jamia Masjid Al-Rasheed in Islamabad’s I-8 sector through a video link from Saudi Arabia, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Ashrafi said that those supporting Daesh and Israel were enemies of Islam who wanted to spread anarchy in the Muslim world. The Islamic Military Alliance (IMA) had been constituted to deal with such elements, he said. He added that the IMA was not constituted on sectarian grounds and it did not intentions against any Muslim country. “The sole objective of the alliance is to annihilate the menace of terrorism,” Ashrafi said. Other PUC leaders said Muslim countries were facing challenges related to foreign interference in their affairs. Addressing the Iranian government, they urged that it should resolve its differences with Arab countries through negotiations. Meanwhile, a resolution adopted by the PUC leadership lauded newly appointed Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for taking up the responsibility and expressed hope that he would use his abilities to address challenges faced by the Muslim world. The resolution also appreciated efforts of the former crown prince Muhammad bin Nayef to tackle the menace of terrorism. Published in Daily Times, June 24th, 2017.