Lahore: Muslims across the globe must unite to confront prevailing challenges and keep a check on forces responsible for reinforcing menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence in Muslim countries, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) on Thursday. Talking to different visiting delegates of Pakistan Forum of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ashrafi said that thousands of Pakistanis working in United Arab Emirates (UAE) were like Pakistan’s ambassadors in the Gulf States and vowed to thwart any attempt aimed at creating difference between Pakistan and Arab countries. He said that entire Muslim world was facing multiples challenges and a fire was being ignited to create chaos in Muslim countries. “Palestine, Syria and Kashmir are facing severe challenges of state terrorism while missile attacks are being launched at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All these challenges could only be settled with unity of Muslim Ummah,” said Ashrafi, adding that serious endeavors should be started to confront animosity and reduce differences between Arab and Iran. Meanwhile, talking to the Arab media, the PUC chairman said that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy good bilateral relations. “Founder of UAE Sheikh Zaid considers Pakistan as his second home and UAE is just like second home for hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis.” Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi stated that if any Pakistani committed any crime abroad, he is responsible for that crime and it is not good to blame all Pakistanis for that incident or crime. He announced that the Pakistan Ulema Council would host the third International Message of Islam Conference’ April 23 in Lahore that will be attended by Ulemas and scholars from Pakistan and all over Muslim world to devise mechanism for unity among the Muslim countries. Published in Daily Times, April 13th 2018.