ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafí said that the Council is ready to step up its efforts on a global scale to promote inter-religious dialogue and harmony.
Speaking to the international media on the occasion of the “International Day Against Islamophobia”, he emphasized that Islamophobia poses a serious threat to Muslims worldwide.
Ashrafí called on world powers to accelerate initiatives to eradicate Islamophobia, calling it a toxic barrier preventing inter-religious harmony.
He called on the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international bodies to support initiatives aimed at eradicating all forms of discrimination while fostering a culture of love, tolerance and coexistence.
He stressed that Islam embodies peace, love and tolerance, emphasizing the teachings of Allah Almighty and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Ashrafi lamented the incitement of non-Muslims against Islam, attributing it to misinformation and hatred spread against Islamic teachings.
Ashrafí recognized Islamophobia as a crime and pointed out that the United Nations has designated March 15 as the “International Day Against Islamophobia”, a milestone achieved through a joint effort involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and others.
Ashrafí emphasized the urgency of addressing global anti-Muslim sentiment and called discrimination a significant threat to world peace.
He emphasized the need to clarify the difference between jihad and terrorism through dialogue, especially after the 9/11 attacks fueled widespread misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in the Western world.
The PUC, Ashrafí said, has pledged to intensify its global efforts for interfaith dialogue and harmony, culminating in the upcoming international conference on “Paigham-e-Pakistan” in Islamabad after the holy month of Ramazan. He informed that the conference will consist of all faith leaders as invitations will be sent to Imam of Khana-e-Kaba, Grand Imam of Palestine, Sheikh Al-Azhar, Pope Francis, Bishop of Canterbury and others.
