Summary
- Islamabad: The Shia Ulema Council Pakistan has stated that the rights of Muharram mourning (Azadari) are both constitutional and religious in nature and must be fully protected without any undue restrictions or administrative hurdles.
- Shabbir Hassan Maisami, Central Secretary General of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan and Head of the Central Muharram Committee, said that mourners of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) are facing difficulties due to administrative pressures, unnecessary restrictions, and what he described as misuse of authority in the implementation of Muharram-related arrangements.
- The Shia Ulema Council Pakistan reiterated that it will continue to uphold and defend the constitutional, religious, and fundamental rights of the community and urged the authorities to take urgent and practical steps to resolve the concerns of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) on a priority basis.
Islamabad: The Shia Ulema Council Pakistan has stated that the rights of Muharram mourning (Azadari) are both constitutional and religious in nature and must be fully protected without any undue restrictions or administrative hurdles.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Allama Dr. Shabbir Hassan Maisami, Central Secretary General of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan and Head of the Central Muharram Committee, said that mourners of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) are facing difficulties due to administrative pressures, unnecessary restrictions, and what he described as misuse of authority in the implementation of Muharram-related arrangements.
He said that the imposition of surety bonds, affidavits, threats of inclusion in the Fourth Schedule, preventive detention, and registration of cases against organizers of religious gatherings is unacceptable and contrary to constitutional and religious freedoms.
He further stated that attempts to restrict longstanding religious practices and mourning programs under the pretext of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are not acceptable under any circumstances. He added that several memorandums have already been submitted to relevant authorities, but a permanent solution to these issues is still required.
Allama Dr. Maisami also called on the Government of Pakistan to immediately reopen land routes for pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq, stating that many pilgrims are facing serious hardships due to travel restrictions during Muharram and Safar and for participation in important religious pilgrimages.
He urged both the federal and provincial governments, particularly Punjab, to immediately stop what he termed harassment of mourners, organizers, and license holders of religious programs, and to ensure full protection of constitutional and religious rights during Muharram-ul-Haram.
The Shia Ulema Council Pakistan reiterated that it will continue to uphold and defend the constitutional, religious, and fundamental rights of the community and urged the authorities to take urgent and practical steps to resolve the concerns of the followers of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) on a priority basis.
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