Rawalpindi Moot: Religious Scholars Unite Against Extremism

RAWALPINDI: Leading Ulema and scholars on Sunday delivered an unambiguous message of unity at the Qaumi Yekjehti and Paigham-e-Pakistan Conference, where Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Syed Abdul Khabeer Azad warned that the country faces an organised attempt to push it towards instability through sectarian and extremist narratives. Addressing the conference, Maulana Azad said that Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam, and remains the fortress of Islam therefore the country is a prime target for hostile forces. He named Fitna al-Khawarij and Indian-backed elements as key actors seeking to fracture national cohesion through violence and propaganda. He declared that the Pakistani nation had already taught the enemy a decisive lesson in Marka-e-Haq and stressed that any attempt to challenge the writ of the state through armed rebellion stands religiously forbidden. "The people and the Pakistan Armed Forces are united," he said, paying tribute to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for national security. He urged religious leaders to use the pulpit to promote peace, harmony and the Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative against terrorism.