Clerics from all major sects offer joint prayers

ISLAMABAD: Religious scholars drawn from Pakistan’s four main schools of thought have held joint prayers at Jamiatur Rasheed in Karachi, in a step presented by officials as part of a wider effort to reduce sectarian tensions and strengthen religious harmony.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Pakistan Ulema Council chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Ashrafi said the collective prayers reflected an encouraging shift within religious circles. Ashrafi, who also serves as the prime minister’s coordinator for the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee, said the recent visit to the seminary brought together representatives of Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi and Ahle Hadith traditions.

According to Ashrafi, members of the committee offered Maghrib prayers behind the designated imam of Jamiatur Rasheed. He described the gathering as an important development in efforts aimed at confronting extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence.

At the media briefing, Ashrafi said the event marked a rare moment in the country’s religious history, with scholars from all major schools of Islamic thought praying together at a prominent seminary. He said the committee had brought together leading ulema, mashaikh, representatives of major seminaries and figures from different faith communities.

"Offering prayers together symbolises growing tolerance in society, especially among religious circles," Ashrafi said.

"This is an unprecedented demonstration of religious harmony and national unity by the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee, bringing together eminent ulema and mashaikh, representatives of major religious seminaries, and leaders from different faith communities," he also stated.

Names of scholars who joined the congregation

Those who took part in the prayers included Allama Arif Wahidi, Allama Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Mufti Abdul Rahim, Allama Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Mufti Muhammad Karim Khan, Dr Asif Mir, Mufti Yousaf Kashmiri, Allama Tauqir Abbas, Allama Asad Zaidi, Hafiz Maqbool Ahmed, along with representatives of various federations of religious seminaries.

Responding to questions, Ashrafi said Pakistanis themselves were not divided by any inherent conflict, but that disruptive elements had created rifts by pushing society towards disorder. He added that some religious figures had also supported such actors.

Ashrafi said the aim of responsible ulema was for Muslims in Pakistan to pray together in the same way worshippers stand behind one imam in the Two Holy Mosques. He added that the peaceful observance of Muharram had been among the committee’s notable achievements.

Committee structure and mandate

Ashrafi said the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee remained focused on advancing the objectives of Paigham-i-Pakistan through work against extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence, while encouraging unity, tolerance, mutual respect and national cohesion. He said the body had organised meetings and gatherings in multiple cities and had visited places of worship of Muslims as well as Sikhs, Hindus and Christians.

Established in September 2024, the committee includes clerics, religious leaders from non-Muslim communities and senior government officials. Its stated purpose is to counter extremism, hate speech, terrorism and sectarianism.

The committee functions as a subcommittee of the National Committee on Narrative Building. That broader body includes the information ministers of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to the federal information minister. It also comprises representatives of the military, intelligence agencies, the ministries of foreign affairs and information technology, and the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

According to an official notification cited at the briefing, the committee is responsible for overseeing the information operation and the formulation, dissemination, propagation and evaluation of the national narrative against the spread of terrorism and extremism through media, communication and cyber networks, in support of the Revised National Action Plan 2021.