Pakistan Stresses Awareness to Safeguard and Prevent Misuse of Prophet’s Sanctity Law

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, has emphasized the crucial role of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in preserving the sanctity of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and ensuring its legal protection is not misused.

Speaking at a Roundtable Discussion marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Minister Yousaf highlighted the need for public awareness and legal safeguards to prevent the misapplication of blasphemy laws.

“Those who deliberately commit blasphemy must face legal action, but no individual should take the law into their own hands,” he stated. He reiterated that the CII serves as the nation’s collective religious guidance platform, distinct from individual scholarly opinions. The minister also pledged to support the council’s recommendations at the cabinet level when necessary.

Call for Stronger Legal Frameworks

CII Chairman Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi underlined that March 15 is observed globally to counter Islamophobia, a threat that endangers Muslim communities. He stressed that freedom of expression must not be exploited to justify religious intolerance or discrimination.

Dr. Naeemi also detailed the CII’s proposals for protecting the sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH), including:

• The appointment of dedicated judges to handle blasphemy cases for fair and swift rulings.
• The creation of a Counter Blasphemy Department (CBD), similar to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), to monitor and act against blasphemous content, particularly on social media.
• A recommendation for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to regulate digital platforms, ensuring the removal of blasphemous material.

Addressing Misconceptions and Youth Engagement

Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem, Chairman of the National Rehmatul-lil-Alameen and Khatam-un-Nabiyyin Authority, emphasized the need for educating the youth on religious matters through intellectual and knowledge-based dialogue. He urged the judiciary to remain impartial and resist external pressures, advocating for constructive engagement over extreme reactions.

Promoting Interfaith Harmony

Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, highlighted the impact of ‘Westophobia’—the portrayal of other religions in a negative light, which contributes to global Islamophobia. He called for a shift towards spreading the Prophet’s message of mercy and peace.

Other speakers, including Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Allama Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi, and PEMRA’s Ali Haider, stressed that strict enforcement of laws is crucial to preventing vigilantism. They warned that failure to implement legal measures effectively could lead to societal unrest.

Commitment to Justice and Religious Coexistence

The discussion concluded with a unified commitment to:
✔ Strengthening legal frameworks for blasphemy laws.
✔ Promoting interfaith harmony to counter religious discrimination.
✔ Educating the public to prevent the misuse of religious laws.

The CII and government authorities reaffirmed their stance on ensuring justice, peace, and religious tolerance while preventing the exploitation of religious sentiments for personal or political gains.