Daily Times

LAHORE: Religious organisations of the country on the appeal of Pakistan Ulema Council announced to observe Jumatul Wida, 23rd June as “Youm-e- Tahafuz Harmain Al Sharifain Al Aqsa”.

Tahir Ashrafi, chairman Pakistan Ulema Council chaired a meeting attended by leadership of the representatives of different religious sects, including Asim Makhdoom, Jamiat Ulema Islam, Allama Tahirul Hassan of International Muttahida Ulema Council, Mufti Muhammad Zia Madni of Muttahida Ulema Forum, Allama Zubair Abid of Pakistan Ulema Mashaykh Council, Secretary General Wafaqul Masajid Pakistan Faisal Bilal Hassan, Aslam Qadri of Pakistan Shariat Council, Ghulam Ullah Khan of Jamiat Ulema Ahl Hadis.

The meeting decided unanimously to observe Jumatul Wida, 23rd June as Youm e Tahafuz Harmain Al Sharifain Al Aqsa, stating that Harman Al Sharifain and Masjid-e-Aqsa are centres of Muslim unity and strength. They also vowed that Youm-e-Tahafuz Harmain Al Sharifain Al-Aqsa is being observed to express solidarity and unity of Muslims for annihilation of extremism and sectarian violence from Muslim world. To mark, Youm e Tahafuz Harmain Al Sharifain Al-Aqsa, rallies, processions and religious congratulations will be held all over Pakistan. In Friday congregations, people will also be informed by Ulemas and religious scholars on prevailing challenges of Muslims and ongoing atrocities in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Iraq and Kashmir, said Ashrafi, adding that oaths will also be taken from public at Friday congregations for defense and security of Harmain Al Sharifain and for the cause of Palestinian oppressed Muslim and Masjid Al Aqsa. Commenting on Qatar-Arab controversy, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said that ongoing rift between Arab world and Qatar is very alarming for entire Muslims and Government of Qatar should have to fulfill its promises committed with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prevailing differences between Qatar and Arab countries should be settled through dialogues, said Ashrafi.