Forced marriage, conversion of religion not allowed in Islam

News Desk

Forced marriage and forced conversion of religion are not allowed in Islam. This should not happen in Pakistan according to Allama Tahir Mahmood  Ashrafi, Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and the Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Addressing the conference of the National Dialogue organised by the Centre for Research and Dialogue in Islamabad, he said that forced marriage and forced conversion of religion are not allowed in Islam and forced marriages should not happen in Pakistan. He added that India has become a hell for minorities due to the inhumane and cruel treatment of Muslims and Christians.

The conference was attended by eminent scholars and religious representatives from across different schools of thought and religions including the  Vice President of Shia Ulama Council of Pakistan Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Sirat Chair of Allama Iqbal Open University Professor Dr. Sahibzada Sajid Rehman, Director of Peace and Development Foundation Rumana Bashir,  and Digital Media Alliance for Pakistan attended the event. President Sabukh Syed also addressed the conference.

Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan give equal rights to all citizens. No one will be allowed to spread religious hatred.

There had been a change in the extremist tendencies in the country to a large extent, but it will take time to completely eradicate them. Every year, with the help of fake accounts on social media on behalf of neighboring India, fires of discord were lighted but the government and army have blocked these accounts. The enemy has failed to spread sectarianism in Muharram. He now has instigated conspiracies to break the relationship of trust between the Pakistan Army and its citizens.

Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi added that the recent incidents of insulting holy figures in India are a well-thought-out conspiracy. The Modi government is destroying the peaceful environment by creating a provocative atmosphere in the region with such actions.

However, this time this unholy courage of India was strongly disapproved by Muslim countries, Arab countries, and European countries. The Modi government is strengthening the hands of extremist groups by insulting religions so that they can strengthen their extremist narrative.

Addressing the conference, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that in the constitution of Pakistan, the law gives complete rights to the minority communities. This is recognized by all schools of thought. They have always recognized this fact and have stood with minority communities. But the situation in India is not a happy one for minorities including Muslims. Muslims are prevented from Friday and  Christiana from their ceremonies. For example, no ceremonies were allowed in Muharram in India in memory of Imam Hussain (A.S.).

Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi further added that there is no room for forced religious conversion in Pakistan, if someone does this to extinguish the fire of his lust, we would have to confront them. Some people use religion for their own interests, which needs to be stopped. Last year,

Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi told the conference that when last year he came to know about the blasphemy case against six Christians, intervention was made to end this false case. Now, to a large extent, it has become clear to foreign ambassadors including the international world that Pakistan is a safe country with regard to the minority communities but it will take time to end the disease of extremism because it is a forty-year-old disease. Thousands of scholars are impressing for humanity to live and let live.

Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi said that in order to keep the nation united, it is necessary to move towards dialogue. The Holy Qur’an has a clear command that does not fight among yourselves, otherwise, you will be divided.

There are various conspiracies against Pakistan at this time. Pakistan’s constitution is sacred . There is a consensus that anyone who harms inter-religious harmony and inter-ethnic harmony in this country will commit anti-nationalism. The appropriate think tanks are necessary for such discussions, dialogue, and national unity.

He said that In Pakistan, all schools and classes were targeted by terrorism. The current situation of the country is based on negative thinking. If the rulers and the oppositions are to continue their negative thinking, where will the people go?

Professor Dr Sahibzada Sajidur Rehman, Head of Sira Chair in Allama Iqbal University, said that in Pakistan we have to play the role of responsible citizens and there is a need to keep a close eye on such elements that lead the society towards chaos from any side. He said that forced marriage cannot happen in Islam, but if someone accepts Islam of his own free will, he should not be stopped.

Romana Bashir said that there are debates in our society but there are no dialogues. He said that we win viewpoints in debates but humanity wins in dialogues. He said that there is no problem in religions, there are many commonalities in religions, and we have to unite on this.

Leader of Hindu Community Rohit Kumar Advocate said that the father of the nation had said on August 11, 1947, that you are free to go to your places of worship. We have always played our part in the development of Pakistan, and we have no quarrel with the majority community of our country. The few evil or extremist elements in our society need to be brought to justice, extremism weakens the society and needs to be rooted out.