ISLAMABAD: Egypt Grand Mufti Dr Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam has said that collective efforts for dissemination of true message of Islam are imperative and narrative of ‘Pegham-e-Pakistan’ is a timely step to pursue this goal. The Grand Mufti of Egypt stated this while addressing an international seminar on ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium of the Faisal Masjid Campus of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Sunday. The seminar was jointly organised by Islamic Research Institute (IRI), Dawah Academy and Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD), IIUI. Dr Shawki Ibrahim lauded the efforts of Pakistan against extremism and said that the Paigham-e-Pakistan should be spread across the globe to eradicate the extremist mindset. He stressed that modern tools of information for spreading information like social media and social networks should be used to counter the radical mindset. He added that formulation of a national narrative on similar lines was also under the process in Egypt and the document would be signed by mainstream clerics of Egypt. He urged ulemas, intellectuals, educationists and civil society to step up efforts for elimination of brutal concepts of extremism and terrorism. “It’s the time to counter the promotion of terrorism and we should disseminate the message of Islam through good behaviour and character.” He added, “Extremism is not the message of Islam. Islam is the religion of peace and humanity.” He hailed Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative and said IIUI was delivering its best to the Muslim societies and this narrative was the visible example. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that the Pakistan’s National Decree ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ had been endorsed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “It is the need of time to spread the message of peace among all Muslim countries for ensuring durable peace in the world. Muslim enemies are trying to damage Islam and such efforts can foil the lethal attempts.” IIUI Rector Prof Dr Muhammad Masoom Yasinzai urged efforts to promote harmony among various sects of Islam and called for implementation of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’. He hoped the narrative would help Muslim countries build peace across the world. He said that national narrative against terrorism was a continuous process and all institutions would remain helpful and supportive in spreading this message to the entire world. IIUI President Prof Dr Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh also spoke on the occasion and said that Muslim Ummah should endorse the decree for spreading the true image of Islam across the globe. The seminar was also attended by ambassadors of Egypt and Yemen, besides educationists, scholars from different institutions and members from civil society. In the end, IIUI rector and president conferred IRI’s Educational Award on the Grand Mufti of Egypt and Bahauddin Zakria University Vice Chancellor Dr Tahir Amin. Grand Mufti of Egypt also visited historic gallery of Islamic Research Institute (IRI), where he inked visitor’s book of IRI by expressing his views and also inaugurated a book exhibition at Faisal Masjid Campus. Published in Daily Times, March 26th 2018.