Daily Times

Lahore: Four resolutions were passed at the ‘3rd International Message of Islam Conference’, said a press release issued on Monday.

The first stated that belief on the Finality of Prophethood was fundamental part of every Pakistani’s faith. It asked the government to make public the report of Raja Zafar-ul-Haq led commission of inquiry and punished those responsible for the changes made in the oath in the Elections Act and to include ‘believe on Finality of Prophethood’ in the column of visa forms for Hajj and Umrah.

The second said that political and religious leadership of the country should play their effective role to resolve basic problems of the people of the country.

In the third resolution, the government was asked to lift a ban on registration of new seminaries and mosques and to avoid putting names of innocent political and religious representatives on the 4th Schedule. Lastly, Chief Justice of Pakistan was asked to restore security for all those political and religious leaders facing severe security threats.

The joint declaration of the conference vowed to carry out a worldwide movement for annihilation of terrorism, extremism, sectarian violence and to constitute a ‘World Islamic Ideological Alliance’ against prevailing foreign interference in affairs of Muslim countries.

A statement issued on the occasion noted, “Muslim Ummah will seek every possible measure to ensure security and sanctity of Harmain Al-Sharifain.” It said that the conference decided unanimously to observe ‘Jumatul Wida’ as ‘Youm-e-Tahafuz-e-Harmain Al-Sharifain, Al-Aqsa’. It also demanded of the government to ensure implementation of the ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ draft with necessary amendments by seeking arrangements for protection of non-Muslim communities living in Pakistan.

The joint declaration announced to declare Khadim-e-Harmain Al-Sharifain Shah Salman bin Abdul Aziz as the most favorite personality of Islamic World for year 2017 on account of his services for the cause of Islamic World, and specifically for raising voice on the issue of Palestine. The visiting delegates and representatives of different Islamic countries presented an ‘Honorary Shield’ to Pakistan security forces for their services to eliminate menace of terrorism and extremism.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliky said, “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are eternal friends. Respect and honour of Harmain Al-Sharifain in hearts of Pakistanis is exemplary. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the centre of unity for the Muslims of the world. Shah Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Ameer Muhammad bin Salman want unity of Muslim Ummah and there is no change in stance of Saudi Arabia on the issue of Palestine.”

The joint declaration noted that the Muslim Ummah was being taken towards devastation and catastrophe on the pretext of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence. “After devastation in Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, enemies of Islam and Muslims are hatching conspiracies to make instability and chaos in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.”

Condemning the decision of US President Donald Trump to relocate US Embassy in Jerusalem, the conference underlined that the US leadership should refrain from making a mess in the region. “Any solution for Palestinian issue will not be accepted except an independent and autonomous Palestine with Jerusalem as capital. The entire Muslim world fully endorse the decisions of Arab League’s 29th Summit on the issue of Palestine.” The declaration also demanded that the OIC and the UN should take immediate and stern action against Houthi rebel tribes and their perpetrators.

Further, the document welcomed the decision of Pakistan armed forces to initiate a consultative and training mission with Saudi Arabia, stating, “being a nuclear power and largest army of Islam, it is responsibility of the people of Pakistan to assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protection and security of the Holy sites.”

Appreciating ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative’, the document stated that the national narrative against menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence should be implemented in letter and spirit with necessary amendments. The joint declaration also demanded that the religious leadership of the country should come forward to contain the influence of extremists and terrorists.

The joint declaration announced to support and endorse the cause of the oppressed Syrians, Palestinians and Kashmiris. “World leadership has to take action against state terrorism and ensure arrangements for people of Palestine, Syria and Kashmir to take decision with power of their votes.”

Lauding the efforts of Pakistani government against terrorism and extremism, the document stated that the entire Muslim Ummah felt proud on Pakistan’s struggle against extremists and terrorists.

The declaration also appealed to religious and political leadership of the country to get united to contain confronting challenges of Pakistan and Muslim Ummah. It was also pointed out at the forum of the conference that India ‘and other enemies of Pakistan aim at creating differences between Pakistan and Arab countries. Leasing agreement between India and Iran on ‘Chahbahar Port’ is very concerning for Pakistan and it could be very alarming for future of this region’.

Published in Daily Times, April 24^th 2018.