ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and President Wafaqu1 Masajid Pakistan Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi on Saturday called upon religious clerics to play their due role in eradicating terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.
`The religious leadership can play a very effective and cohesive role in making a tolerant and compassionate society,` he said while talking to a group of ulema and seminary students here.
He also said Pakistan`s first `Darul Afta` (decree centre) had been set up in Lahore with the assistance of the PUC for guidance of citizens on any religious issue.
`This decree centre will start proper functioning on Jan 15,` said Hafiz Ashrafi.
He said extremist and terrorist organisations were defaming Islam and Muslims across the world by associating extremism with Islam and Muslims.
`Contrary to the propaganda of extremist and terrorist organisations, Islam preaches peace, security and patience,` he said.
He called upon religious scholars, ulema, clerics and seminary students to educate the citizens against extremism and radicalism, adding ulema should play an effective role in containing practices such as the issuance of decrees without proper jurisprudence and observing religious proficiency.
He also called upon seminaries to also promote conventional studies and provide modern education to the students. Hafiz Ashrafi also announced that the PUC would soon start training programmes for students of schools, colleges and universities on the Islamic point of view against extremism.
