The Interfaith Advisory Commission of Pakistan (IACP) has demanded of the federal government to establish an independent and a balanced but a powerful commission of different religions and faiths to address the issue of hatred, bigotry, and fanaticism in the society.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the advisory body suggested to the government that the proposed commission must address all those incidents from a district level to the provincial and federal levels and establish clear and consensus-based recommendations after reviewing the situation on the ground.
Allama Shakeel-ur-Rehman Nasir, Javaid William, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, Professor Ashok Kumar, Dr Masood Mujahid, Professor Kalyan Singh, Allama Kazim Raza, and Hafiz Samiullah suggested that the police must take a piece of advice from the proposed commission before writing the first information report (FIR) and before any kind of formal or informal investigation on these sensitive issues.
They said that the proposed commission can also submit recommendations before the court, after assessment of all religion-based cases. “We can observe easily that many people are facing issues in courts due to incorrect first information report by the police,” they said, adding that the courts can get some valuable feedback from the proposed advisory body.
Allama Shakeel-ur-Rehman Nasir requested the religious scholars and other faith leaders to guide the people as the national economy is challenged by the corona pandemic. Currently, approximately everyone is facing financial and health crisis due to coronavirus, he said. “We have no other option but to protect ourselves and our neighborhood,” he said.
Javaid William, who heads the FACES Pakistan organization, said that everyone must contribute in national unity as Pakistan belongs to all. “We must remember that Pakistan is not for anyone community, religion, or sect, but it belongs to all citizens, born and raised here in this homeland,” he said. “We must keep an eye on reasons behind hatred,” he said.
“We believe in acceptance and respectful dialogue between different communities and faiths so everyone can live with their own religious commitments and practices,” he said. Javaid William said that every person must accept the existence of people of other faiths in order to create a peaceful coexistence within a national framework.
Hafiz Samiullah said that recognition and acceptance of people of different faiths is mentioned in all sacred scriptures. “We have to play our part in accepting and understanding different communities,” he said and asked the state to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights of every individual and protect all its citizens either they are Muslims or other than Muslims.
Prof Ashok Kumar and Prof Kalyan Singh also demanded of the government to develop a clear strategy to stop religion-inspired violence and give complete protection to all citizens without any discrimination. They said that Pakistan is a heaven on earth for religious minorities. “We are enjoying equal status in our society,” they said and mentioned different initiatives especially the Kartarpur Corridor and restoration of temples.
Dr Masood Mujahid and Allama Kazim Raza also endorsed the setting up of the commission so that everyone can get justice on time. “We believe that no one should face hardships due to his or her faith,” they said, adding that the government must realize the valuable contribution and some relief due to the presence of this proposed commission.
