LAHORE: Prominent religious scholars have asked state institutions and the government to pay attention to elements, who were trying to create a sectarian divide in the country by using the COVID-19 issue as an excuse.
The Wafaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan on Tuesday issued a press release, condemning efforts to target the religious community in Pakistan and stoke sectarianism under the garb of the pandemic issue.
The ulema said that the behavior exhibited by government officials, representatives and targeting of the religious community is condemnable.
“Using the COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, mosques, madrassahs and religious matters are being targeted, which is very disappointing,” read the press release.
The press release said that when the zaireen affected by coronavirus were brought back to the country, members of the Tableeghi Jamaat were also targeted to fan sectarianism.
“Ban on Itikaf and the events that took place on Yaum-e-Ali indicated that attempts were being made to give an increase to sectarian tension in the country.
The Wafaq ul Madaris called on religious leaders to sit together and organize themselves from scratch, vowing that the ulema will always play their part in promoting the role of religion on society and defeating efforts to stoke sectarianism in the country.
The declaration has been issued by Maulana Anwar ul Haq, Maulana Mufti Mohammad Rafi Usmani, Maulana Dr Abdul Razzak Sikander, Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jhalandari, Maulana Mufti Taqi Usmani, and other scholars.
