LAHORE: Increasing incidents concerning violence against women in society are indicative of public and government apathy, said Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, all Friday sermons affiliated with Pakistan Ulema Council and Wafaq-ul-Masajid Pakistan would emphasise ‘Protection and Rights of Women’ in accordance of Islamic teachings.
In a statement addressed to all Imams, clerics and Ulemas of the country, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said a disturbing increase in incidents of violence against women had been observed during last few months and incidents of burning teenage girls alive in KPK, Punjab and Sindh were the worst instances of brutality, savagery and barbarism. On the other side, the public and government’s indifference over these grave incidents was alarming and disgraceful, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. He added that Islam emphasised respect and protection of women’s rights and in an Islamic society any individual, group or organisation could not be allowed to resort to violence against women or deprive women of their rights as defined by the Quran or Sunnah.
Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi also appealed to Ulemas, scholars, clerics and Imams to educate the public in accordance with Islam’s teachings regarding honour killing, violence against women who married men of their own choosing, dowry and girls education.