Unanimous Fatwa by ulema to help address terrorism challenges, President Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has expressed the confidence that the unanimous Fatwa issued by ulema representing different schools of thought would help address the challenges of sectarianism, extremism, and terrorism.
He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the Fatwa, called Paigham-e-Pakistan at a ceremony in Islamabad on Tuesday.
He said issuance of the unanimous Fatwa through consultations is a step in the right direction and it would go a long way in projecting soft and positive image of Pakistan in the comity of nations. He said this would also highlight the fact that Islam is a religion of peace, brotherhood, tolerance and accommodation. He said the Fatwa represent true teachings of Islam.
Speaking on the occasion, Leader of House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq emphasized the need for national solidarity to rectify inadequacies of the system.
He said our valiant armed forces, administration and people rendered unrivaled sacrifices in dismantling the scourge of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Religious scholars from different schools of thought on Tuesday issued a unanimous religious decree, rejecting "extremist ideology and extremism in all its form a manifestations."
The "Fatwa" (decree) signed by eminent religious scholars and heads of major religious schools across Pakistan, was issued at a gathering at the President House in Islamabad in the presence of President Mamnoon Hussain, religious scholars, diplomats, teachers, ministers and lawmakers.
The 9-point decree "declared that suicide attacks are forbidden in the light of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah ," which are "already adversely affecting the country and its society by causing disorder and mayhem in Pakistan; advantages of which is being taken by the enemies of Islam."
"We unanimously reject extremist ideology and extremism in all its form a manifestations. Wherever exists, this is an evil ideology, therefore, shall be dealt with as a religious obligation through all means available i.e. ideological, kinetic and non-kinetic," the decree said.
The 'fatwa' has been prepared with the cooperation of religious schools belonging to Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahli-Hadis, Shia and Jamaat-e-Islami. They are: Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Arabiyyah, Tanzim-ul-Madaris Ahli-e-Sunnat, Wafaq ul-Madaris al-Salfiyyah, Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Shiah, and Rabitat-ul-Madaris Pakistan.
The decree strongly supported the military operations initiatives against terrorists to strengthen the security and stability in Pakistan.
The scholars agreed that the spreading of sectarian hatred; armed sectarian conflict and imposition of one's religious ideologies by force are contrary to the teachings of Islam; tantamount to create chaos and mischief in the country.
"As per the constitution of Pakistan and law of the land, these acts are heinous crimes against the humanity. We demand the government institutions should take all possible measures to eliminate these activities," according to the decree.
"Use of force to impose Islam in Pakistan, armed struggle against the Pakistani state and all other form of terrorist activities to which our country is confronted with are forbidden under the Islamic laws," the scholars declared. All such action are considered as rebellion against the state; benefiting the enemies of Islam and Pakistan," the document said.
The scholars, representing all schools of thought, unanimously declared that suicide attacks are forbidden in the light of Quran and the Sunnah.
"In our opinion, those who are conducting, inciting, facilitating, financing and promoting such heinous acts are rebels and the state of Pakistan has legitimate authority to take all possible measures against them," the scholars said.
"In the light of Jihad involving physical combat and waging war in the prerogative of the state and no individual or group has the authority to declare and wage Jihad. Such initiatives of an individual or group shall be considered as acts of rebellion against the state and according to Islamic teaching is a heinous crime punishable under 'Tazir'," according to the decree.
All Pakistani citizens are constitutionally bound to protect the national interest are also forbidden in light of Holy Quran and Sunnah. Renunciation/breach of national interests is to be taken as high treason and therefore shall be dealt as per the Islamic injunctions.
Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman of Religious Scholars Council, said that the new "fatwa' is important as every school of thought has fully endorsed the decree and it will send a strong message to those who kill people on the name of the religion. "Thousands of scholars from my council have thrown weight behind the decree. We believe that no individual has the right either to declare Jihad or issue decree to kill someone. Only states can decide about Jihad," Ashrafi said.
The booklet also contains all previous declarations against terrorism and violent extremism.
This declaration is about terrorism and suicide attacks which are already adversely affecting the country and its society by causing disorder and mayhem in Pakistan; advantages of which is being taken by the enemies of Islam.
The Fatwa says the Constitutionally, the state of Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and the preamble of its constitution is based upon "Objectives Resolution" declaring the sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Allah is a sacred trust.
"Furthermore, the constitution also states that no law shall be enacted which is against or contrary to the tenants of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and all existing laws shall be brought into conformity with Islamic injunction," it said.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said that those who sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism deserve gratitude of the nation.
He was addressing an event at the President House to mark the Message of Pakistan, a document by clerics of all schools of thought condemning terrorism and suicide bombings.
On Monday, details emerged of a Fatwa (Islamic ruling) signed by over 1,800 religious clerics from different schools of thought.
The ruling states that those who commit suicide attacks, order such attacks, train such people are all considered rebels against the true spirit of Islam. The ruling further states that the state has the right to act against such people.
"After the industrial revolution, the education revolution is knocking on our doors," said Iqbal.
He added that it is a moment of reflection after 70 years as the dream of a united Pakistan has not been achieved yet.
Iqbal said there is no dispute that Islam is a religion of peace, adding that in Islam punishment is only awarded by the state.
"Terrorism has no place in Islam," he asserted.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Higher Education Commission chief Dr Mukhtar Ahmed were attending the ceremony, along with clerics involved with the Fatwa.
Pakistan is committed to ensuring that its land is not used to launch terror attacks against any other state, the foreign minister had said earlier.
On the other hand, President Mamnoon Hussain while addressing the event urged the need to focus on different forms of extremism present in the society.
The president said that differences are created between people once they stop respecting each other's opinion.
He remarked that country is facing countless challenges despite government fulfilling all its duties. "We hope to not repeat the mistakes which created difficulties for us," he added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif Tuesday said the national counter-terrorism narrative had made it clear before the world that Pakistani nation would no longer let terrorist elements join its ranks.
Addressing at the launch of Paigham-e-Pakistan here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the Foreign Minister said the narrative would become the identity of Pakistani nation as peace loving people in the comity of nations.
The national narrative against terrorism was launched here based on the decree issued by religious scholars from different walks of life.
Khwaja Asif said terrorism had become an issue of international importance and mentioned continuous efforts by Pakistan to eradicate the menace from its soil.
He said several successful operations had been carried out in the country against the elements that targeted innocent people.
He mentioned that 1829 scholars from across the country declared terrorism and extremism as evil and their unanimity of views demonstrated their patriotism.
The Foreign Minister said the country's civil and military leadership was at one page in their effort to counter terrorism and it was imperative that the nation stood firm behind them.
He said Islam and terrorism were in total contrast to each other and added that the government would make every possible effort to achieve the objectives of Paigham-e-Pakistan.
Earlier, the government launched national narrative on extremism and terrorism at a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Titled 'Paigham-e-Pakistan', the document contains a Fatwa against militancy duly endorsed by religious scholars of all schools of thought.
Under the auspices of International Islamic University, the document has been prepared after consultations amongst different segments of the society, including religious scholars, parliamentarians, intellectuals and policy makers.
The narrative declares armed struggle against the country, its government or armed forces illegal. The document acknowledges that it is responsibility of the government to fully implement Islamic provisions of the constitution. However, taking up arms to achieve this purpose amounts to Fasaad fil Arz.
Quoting verses from holy Quran and Hadith, the document says suicide is unacceptable in Islam and a grave sin. Supporting such attacks has also been described as tantamount to supporting a collection of sins.
Addressing the ceremony, President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the confidence that the national narrative will help address the challenges of sectarianism, extremism and terrorism.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is fulfilling its commitments in the war on terror but it is also for the international community to fulfill its obligations by listening to the voices emanating from Myanmar, occupied Kashmir and Palestine. - NNI