ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz has chided the incident of hooliganism at Masjid-i-Nabwi on the 27th of Ramazan, saying it was clear disrespect to the holy site.

       The incident that saddened all Muslims had to be condemned, said Dr Ayaz in a statement issued on Saturday.

       The CII chairman said the country needed a “new political charter” under which all political parties should agree on the message of ideology of Pakistan and that political differences should be used for nation building and development instead of “creating hatred and intolerance” among the people, and causing “disrespect to the religion”.

       “It is a shame for us as a nation to take our differences to such an extent that the sanctity of the second most respected place after Kaaba has not even taken into account,” he said, adding that political parties should promote a “culture of tolerance and politeness” in the country.

       He said political differences should not be escalated to such an extent that people started quarrelling in mosques and streets.

       Dr Ayaz stated: “It is forbidden to speak loudly in the court of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and such incidents are considered as the violation of the sanctity of the place.”

       The council had not only declared the desecration of Islamic sites and sanctities against the norms of sharia, but religious experts in the CII had declared the violation of holy places of other religions “haram” (forbidden). He demanded the authorities to use all available resources to punish those who violated the sanctity of the Masjid-i-Nabwi.

       Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2022