The government cannot give space to the extremists to compel others to follow their views, President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed in a message on Monday. "We have to fight terrorism, sectarianism and other social evils, both individually and collectively, in accordance with the golden principles of Islam so that the anti-state elements cannot deter us from pursuing the path towards success, prosperity and development," he said. Zardari urged the people to pledge to lead their lives by following the true teachings of Islam and to fight extremism and terrorism in the new Islamic year.
The president conveyed his felicitations on the start of the new Islamic year, 1430 Hijra. He said, "Let us pledge in this new Hijra year that we will lead our lives by following the true and great teachings of Islam."
Zardari said Islam did not allow any person or group to force their beliefs and ideologies on other people.
"It's in the Koran someplace. You could look it up."
In a separate message, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the people on the arrival of the new Islamic year, stating that all Muslims were brothers and each had religious, social and individual obligations towards the other. He urged the Muslim ummah to live in peace, harmony and unity in the new year.