“Those who forcefully convert others are unaware of Islamic teachings”
We will protect the worship places of all religions, Imran assured minority communities : Imran Khan
WEB DESK
PAKISTAN Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the that ‘unjust practice’ of forced conversion of religious minorities needs to be stopped as it ‘gravely violate’ Islamic values and the Constitution.
“Those who force others to adopt a particular religion is totally unaware of the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah,” he said in reference to forced conversion of Hindu girls through marriages as reported in Sindh.
According to Pakistan media reports Imran Khan said this at an event held in connection with Minority Day at the Aiwan-e-Sadr titled “One land, one flag & one nation”, which was also attended by representatives of different communities including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Baha’i and Kalash.
Pakistan declared Minority Day in connection with the Quaid-e-Azam’s Mohammad Ali Jinnah address to the legislative assembly on August 11, 1947 where he stated that all citizens were free to go to their worship places without distinction of their religions or faiths.
Imran Khan stressed that his government wanted to make Pakistan a modern state like the State of Medina. He said the State of Medina was a civilised model of governance that needed to be implemented in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said all problems of Pakistan could be solved if the country followed this model of Medina. He added that rule of law and rights of minorities were central to the State of Medina.
“Our ideal is to move towards the State of Medina…There is no rule of law in our country. If there is rule of law most of your problems will be resolved,” he told the audience comprising bishops, pundits, pastors and other religious leaders.
A lack of rule of law, the prime minister said, meant there were separate laws for the rich and the poor. “Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said several nations have been destroyed before you where there were separate laws for the rich and poor.”
He announced to set up chairs at the country’s leading universities for in-depth study of the subject. He said the PhD degree research would be conducted on the world’s first welfare State of Medina, which embodied principles of rule of law, justice, peace and equality for all regardless of race, religion and gender.
“We will protect the worship places of all religions and will change the mindset of people in line with Islamic injunctions,” he assured the minority communities.
He mentioned that steps had been taken to facilitate the Sikh community through Kartarpur Corridor, which would be opened for the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in coming November.
President Dr Arif Alvi, who was also attending the event alongside the prime minister, said the concept of a modern Islamic state was incomplete without principles of social equality. He assured the religious minorities in the country of complete freedom to practice their faith.
“Pakistan belongs to its all communities regardless of any religion which unitedly make a beautiful bouquet of inter-faith harmony,” the president said.
President Dr Alvi said the country’s leadership was determined to make Pakistan a true reflection of the ideals of State of Medina, vision of the Quaid and the philosophy of national poet Allama Iqbal.
“You have a steadfast prime minister, and I tell you, he will not inch backward unless achieve his goal of a welfare state,” the President said. He said all religious minorities were an important part of Pakistan and lauded their contribution for the country in diverse fields.
He quoted a saying of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) that “anyone becoming tyrant towards a non-Muslim would be contested by me on the Judgment Day”.
The president mentioned several occasions where the Holy Prophet PBUH) greeted 40 Christian delegations at Masjid-e-Nabvi and allowed them camping within the vicinity of mosque.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri said for the last one year, the ministry had taken special steps to mark holy events of all faiths including Christmas, Holi, Dewali, Besakhi, and others.
Representatives of different religious communities shared their views on the occasion and expressed commitment to continue contributing for the country”s solidarity and prosperity.
Bishop of Lahore Irfan Jamil said the Christian community was playing significant role in fields of education, medicine, social work and even in the armed forces.
He called for implementation of five percent reserved job quota for minorities in true letter in spirit, elimination of hate material from syllabus and also legislation related to Christian marriage and divorce.
Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights in National Assembly Lal Chand Malhi representing the Hindu community expressed satisfaction that presence of both the President and the Prime Minister at the event for minorities showed their seriousness in making Pakistan a reflection of the Quaid”s vision.
Isphanyar Bhandara speaking on behalf of Parsi community said protection of minorities was linked with the country”s solidarity and urged the goverment to rename the major roads as earlier in the names of non-Muslims prominent personalities.
Dr Seema Fozdar representing the Baha”i community said Pakistan”s minorities presented a beautiful mix of religions that needed tolerance and harmony for a peaceful society.
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