Unity, justice stressed at Khatm-i-Nabuwwat conference -

By: Our Correspondent

DIKHAN: Religious scholars and leaders from different schools of thought at a conference here stressed the importance of the belief in Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, unity among Muslims, protection of holy sites and the rule of justice, saying social peace could not be achieved without equal and timely access to justice.

The conference was organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, according to the organisers, and brought together religious scholars and representatives of different religious organisations.

Speaking at the gathering, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League D.I. Khan Division general secretary Maqsood Hussain Sindhu said belief in the finality of Prophethood was a central tenet of Islam and that its importance was firmly established in Islamic teachings and history.

He said Muslim scholars and communities had historically played a role in defending the belief and stressed the need for educating younger generations about Islamic teachings through the Quran and Sunnah.

Mr Sindhu also linked social peace with justice, saying that the example of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) showed the importance of treating people equally before the law.

“Peace in society is possible only when justice is established,” he said, adding that efforts should also be made to promote unity, humanitarian service and an end to sectarianism.

He said the Muslim community should remain united on issues relating to the sanctity of the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.

Sheikh Arifullah Khattak, director of the Dawah and Reform Department for Peshawar division, said the protection of the sanctity of the holy sites was an important religious concern for Muslims.

Referring to recent discussions about arrangements for the defence of the holy sites, he said Pakistan’s security and defence responsibilities and the protection of the holy places were matters of importance for the Muslim community.

Pakistan Markazi Muslim League Peshawar district general secretary Inamullah Khan thanked the D.I. Khan division leadership for bringing scholars from different schools of thought together on one platform.

He said his organisation sought to promote unity among Muslims and would continue to work on issues concerning Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Hadith and the sanctity of the holy sites.

He also praised Pakistan’s defence institutions for their role in national security and said the country’s security required unity and collective responsibility.

Senior teacher at Jamia Muhammadiya Bahawalpur Mufti Mohammad Javed said Khatm-i-Nabuwwat was an important point of consensus among Muslims and called for greater efforts to promote religious understanding and unity.

He said respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), belief in the finality of Prophethood, respect for the Companions and members of the Prophet’s family, and protection of the sanctity of the holy sites were deeply held religious beliefs.

The speakers also discussed security challenges facing Muslim countries and criticised militant organisations and groups they described as threats to Muslim societies. Some speakers alleged that certain militant groups were being supported by foreign powers, but no independent evidence for these claims was presented at the gathering.

The speakers called for the training and education of young people in accordance with their interpretation of Quranic and Prophetic teachings, while emphasising unity, social harmony and peaceful civic engagement.

Among those who addressed the conference were Najamuddin Siraj of Jamia Sirajul Uloom, D.I. Khan; Dr Prof Manzoor of Gomal University; Muhammad Falak Sher Siddiqui, head of Ittehad-ul-Aimma Wal Khutaba Pakistan; Maulana Ismatullah Hanafi, the organisation’s general secretary; Maulana Ghulamullah, vice-president of Ishaat-ul-Tauheed Wal Sunnah, Paharpur; Maulana Hamad Adnan Awan of Prova; Raja Akhtar Muhammadi, emir of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, D.I. Khan; Maulana Rehmatullah, its deputy emir; Qari Fazal Karim, imam of the Ahle Hadith mosque at Qazian Wali; Maulana Mohammad Khan Awan of Tank; Qari Azizullah, president of the Dawah and Reform Department, Tank; Mufti Fazlur Rehman, a leader of Ittehad-ul-Aimma Wal Khutaba Pakistan; Maulana Shah Bran, its secretary general; Maulana Mohammad Iqbal, its finance secretary; Dr Prof Mohammad Nasir and Mohammad Ali of Gomal University; Maulana Noor Khalid, emir of Tanzeem-i-Islami, D.I. Khan; Maulana Khalid Abdullah, head of Jamia Ummul Qura, Kohat; and Maulana Hafiz Abdul Wahab, general secretary of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, Kohat division.

The speakers called for greater unity, social harmony, humanitarian service and the promotion of justice, saying these were essential for maintaining peace and stability in society.