Daily Times

“Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should play an effective leadership role to resolve prevailing unrest in Gulf countries,” Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi noted on Saturday.

He added that war could never be a solution to any issue while calling Saudi Arabia’s decision to not engage in any warlike situation a good omen.

The chairman was talking to media sources here ahead of leaving for Saudi Arabia to attend Mecca Conference.

Hafiz Ashrafi said that the Muslim Ummah leadership should constitute an effective and cohesive strategy against terrorists and extremists as well as their supporters.

Mecca Conference would be held in Saudi Arabia in the aegis of the Muslim World League to spread the moderate message of Islam.

The League has extended a special invitation to Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman.

Ashrafi stated that Pakistan held a very respectful place in the comity of Muslim countries.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa was said to be playing an effective role to resolve the challenges faced by the Muslim world.

He added that the prevailing challenges of Muslim Ummah could be settled if entire Muslim world became united.

The chairman asserted that enemies of Islam and Muslims were fanning sectarian violence in Muslim countries to create anarchy and differences within.

Hafiz Ashrafi also stated that OIC meeting in Mecca was of key importance while the entire Muslim world had pinned hopes on its outcome.

He further maintained that the role and services rendered by Saudi Arabia for the Islamic world could not be neglected.

“Decision of Khadim e Harmain Al- Sharifain Shah Salman Abdul Aziz to invite the leadership of Muslim countries and Muslim Ulema and scholars on the night of 27th Ramazaan is very positive sign to seek a solution for prevailing challenges of the Muslim world,” PUC chairman continued.

Responding to a query, he stated that Pakistan had never supported the war.

Hafiz Ashrafi added that the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were no secret and if any force of the world dared target the sanctity of Saudi Arabia, Pak-Force and people of Pakistan stood committed to lay any sacrifice for its security and defence.

He then went on asserting that Iran was Pakistan’s neighbouring Islamic country while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were knotted in ties of faith and respect.

Pakistan wanted across-the-board action against the terrorist elements and their supporters for carrying out targeted attacks at Saudi Arabia, Ashrafi continued.

He then relayed that Pakistan condemned terrorism and extremism at every forum and was willing to contain the menace of terrorism and extremism from the Muslim world.