[Pak Daily Times] President Mamnoon Hussain said on Sunday that it is high time terrorism and corruption are eliminated from the country.Addressing a conference on interfaith harmony, which was organised by Nazria Pakistain Council (NPC) Trust Islamabad, the president said practicing Islamic teachings in their true spirit could guarantee our betterment in the world and the life hereafter. He said the whole nation was united on the issue of terrorism, sectarianism and extremism, and the government was also striving to fulfil its responsibilities.
The president hoped that the government, with the cooperation of masses, would take the issues of terrorism and extremism to their logical conclusions and purge the country of these menaces. Terming the promotion of inter-faith harmony and tolerance as need of the hour for peaceful co-existence in society, President Mamnoon Hussain urged the religious scholars to guide the masses in accordance with the true spirit and teachings of Islam.
He advised the Mohammedans of Pakistain and the world to promote love and harmony, respect the non-believers and collectively work for the country's progress, setting aside all differences. The president said the country was in the grip of issues that affected the lives of individuals as well as masses. "Unfortunately, the country which was achieved for free atmosphere to practice our faith, has been caught up by terrorism and sectarianism. Regrettably, neither the mosques and imambargahs nor the churches and shrines are safe. Today, schools are being blown up and innocent people are being oppressed," President Mamnoon remarked.
He said Islam never allowed imposing own faith on others. "It was the outcome of religious tolerance that Mohammedans had ruled the sub-continent and people had embraced Islam being impressed by the tolerance practiced by Mohammedan saints." He called for following the philosophy of saints to regain the grandeur of Islam and introduce the religion to the world in its true form. President Mamnoon Hussain said terrorism had created panic across the globe and unluckily, the Mohammedans were being blamed for the prevailing situation.
President Mamnoon urged Learned Elders of Islam to follow the teachings of Islam to promote harmony, brotherhood, peace and tranquillity in the country. He said owing to the attitude of a few unguided people, Islam was being illogically linked with extremism and terrorism. "Factually, our religion preaches peace, brotherhood and harmony. Islam strictly prohibits bloodshed and chaos. It also declares the killing of a human tantamount to killing the whole humanity," the president added. He said Islam is a universal religion.