Religious groups agree to work for unity, religious harmony

Various religious groups belonging to different school of thoughts on Tuesday decided to work together on a five-point agenda for unity among their ranks by shunning the internal differences. The religious groups met here under "Co-ordination Council of Religious Leaders and Intellectuals" formed to bring together different sects of the country on a single platform, agreed on a five-point agenda to co-ordinate and harmonise the society so that an environment of mutual respect could be created.
Besides heads of various religious factions including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed, central secretary general Majlis-e-Wahadat-ul-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, vice Khateeb Lal Masjid and others, the Tuesday moot was also attended by representative of Saudi ambassador, deputy envoy of Libya, councillor general of Azerbaijan, Palestinian ambassador, councilor general Bahrain Khalifa Ali Mohammad, representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatullah Akbar Jadi, Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan chief Gulbuddin Hikmatyar's representative Dr Ghayrat.
Briefing media persons, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said that they had agreed on five points to shun internal differences and convey to the entire Muslim Ummah and the World that they would work for religious harmony and prosperity of the country but within the parameters of the Constitution of Pakistan. Giving details, he said that they had agreed that Quran and Sunnah was the base of unity among all religious groups. Secondly, he said that for the followers of all religious sects, the interpretation of Holy Quran and Sunnah would be deemed as authentic that have been derived from their respective "Mujtahideen" and Fuqaha (religious scholars).
Thirdly, they reached a consensus that their political approach would not be secular but it should be based on the principles of Islam. Fourthly, followers of all religious sects would respect each others' Mujtahideen, religious scholars and Imams. And finally, Fazal said, the process would be within the parameters of the constitution of Pakistan.
To a question about US-Iran tension, he said that Pakistan would not afford any conflict in the region and in case of US attacks on Iran, Pakistan would not afford to become an ally of the US and its partners.
To another query, he said since long the country has no independent foreign policy but added that now, as the parliamentary committee on national security have formulated recommendations following Salala air-strike by Nato forces therefore the country would for the first time have its own foreign policy.