Islam best solution to crises: speakers

Dawn


By Zar Alam Khan

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a Seerat conference here stressed the need for finding solutions to the emerging challenges faced by the Muslims in the teachings of Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

They said Muslims had deviated from the golden path of their religion while the West had extensively studied and taken full benefits of the teachings of Islam.

The conference was organised by Chitral Development Forum (CDF) in connection with the ongoing celebrations on the completion of the first phase of Lowari Rail Tunnel at the International Islamic University (IIU) on Sunday evening.

Ulema, scholars, researchers and political leaders, mostly from the district of Chitral, dwelt at length on the causes behind degeneration in Muslim societies, saying deviation from the teachings of Islam was the main reason behind the troubles and crises in many Islamic countries.

Member National Assembly (MNA) from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin said the need for unity among the Muslims was direly needed today as never before, because the country was passing through a critical moment of its history. He regretted that ulema and religious leaders had not properly fulfilled their obligation of spreading the true message of Islam and themselves fallen into different factions.

He said progress and development of Chitral, especially in the post-Lowari Tunnel scenario, was linked with maintenance of the existing peace, tranquility and inter-community harmony and tolerance in the valley for which the local residents had to play their role irrespective of their religious and political affiliations. He also called upon the people of Chitral to preserve and protect their unique culture as well as landed property after the area opens up to the outside world.

NWFP Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan said due to our weaknesses, anti-Islam forces had succeeded in their design of pitching Muslims against each other and tarnishing the image of the great religion.

He said people of Chitral had lived in peace and harmony through centuries and in the prevailing situation, the valley had become a model for other areas to follow. He stressed the need for maintaining the exemplary congenial atmosphere in the district particularly after the opening of the Lowari Tunnel.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Qazi Faiz Elahi, Dr Inamur Rehman, Prof Israruddin, Faridullah, Maulana Abdur Rahim, Maulana Khalilur Rehman, Amir Shah, Zaheeruddin Behram and Habibur Rehman.