Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Friday, met with prominent religious scholars from various schools of thoughts and sects, where they assured him of their absolute cooperation in embracing and implementing Madrassah reforms at the Prime Minister’s House.
The scholars also appreciated the Premier’s efforts to represent the sentiments of the Pakistani people and Muslims across the globe on Namoos-e-Risalat (SAW), Islam and the Kashmir cause. Sources reveal that the premier discussed several crucial issues, including the Kashmir cause during the meeting.
Nigran e Shura Maulana Imran Attari and Minister of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Noor Ul Haq Qadri met Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM’s office today.@IamImranAttari@ImranKhanPTI#Dawateislami #PMImranKhan pic.twitter.com/1IpTktvrIc
— Dawat-e-Islami (@MADANIinfo) October 18, 2019
The meeting was attended by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur Rehman, and Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, amongst other scholars.
The meeting also included Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Naeem-ul Haq, and Yousaf Baig Mirza, Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri, and Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood.
Madrassah Reforms
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that Madrassah students must be provided a contemporary education in science and technical subjects. He stressed that the government seeks to provide equal opportunities for Madrassah students to become engineers and doctors.
The religious scholars assured the Premier of their full support in the government’s initiative to develop and reform the country on the model of the State of Madina, and assist the government in implementing the principles of Naya Pakistan.
The Premier stated that religious scholars have an instrumental role in eliminating multiple issues by promoting unity and a uniform education system for all students. He said, “The government is resolved to take the religious scholars along and seek their guidance.”
Read more: COAS lauds efforts to bring madrassahs in mainstream education system
Prime Minister Khan said that there are multiple curricula and educational systems in the country, which promote class and social divisions amongst the people. He stressed upon the need for ushering educational reforms to promote harmony and national unity.
In order to achieve this, the premier said that religious scholars must play a pivotal role. He stated that the PTI-led government desires for seminary students to enjoy equal opportunities, as enjoyed by students from private institutions and English-medium schools.
Speaking on reforming Pakistan into a powerful welfare state on the model of the State of Madina, the Premier said that the forefathers of the nation had dreamt of a progressive state. He said that his ultimate goal was to develop Pakistan into a true welfare state.
Delegation of Dawat E Islami headed by Haji Imran calls on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM Secertariat. pic.twitter.com/zhJFdNHl0q
— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) October 18, 2019
Urging the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and religious scholars to provide suggestion as per Islamic teachings, the Premier said, “In order to improve the national economy, the government is introducing tax reforms.”
Kashmir & National Security
Speaking on the ongoing situation in Occupied Kashmir, the Premier said that the PTI-led government has highlighted the issue on every platform and the Indian government understands that the voice of the Kashmiri people cannot be suppressed, hence the deployment of 900,000 troops.
He said that now the Kashmir issue has been mainstreamed across the globe, it was impossible for the Narendra Modi-led government to suppress the Kashmiris through torture and brutalities. He appreciated the religious scholars for highlighting the Kashmir cause.
Read more: Imran Khan working on bringing Madrassas in fold to provide Equal Education to all
The Prime Minister also urged the religious scholars to play a pivotal role to highlight and combat the scourge of sectarianism and terrorism. He urged the scholars to cooperate with the government in countering elements that threaten to disintegrate the Muslim ummah.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office stated that the religious scholars and representatives of multiple seminary associations stated that they will stand by the nation and the Pakistan Army in preserving the national interests of Pakistan.
The scholars also provided the premier with suggestions to transform Pakistan into a welfare state on the model of the Madina State. They appreciate the government’s initiative to usher in Madrassah reforms and the initiative to modernize the curriculum to fulfil contemporary education requirements.
The religious scholars also lauded Prime Minister’s endeavor of launching a TV channel alongside Turkey and Malaysia to combat anti-Islam propaganda and promote Islamic teachings.
Imran Khan calls for investment of national resources in madrassahs | http://t.co/DZaqYszRTa pic.twitter.com/GJdq5HjKDz
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 29, 2015
They appreciated his efforts of highlighting the brutality of the Indian occupation forces in occupied Kashmir at the UN General Assembly. The scholars commended the premier for honoring his pledge to become the ambassador of Kashmir and representing the sentiments of the people of Pakistan.
They said that the Pakistani nation was indebted to the Premier for presenting a factual account of Namoos-e-Risalat and Islamic values to the global community. Praising his efforts of mediation in the Middle East, they said that the premier is an ambassador for peace.