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NA passes resolution against blasphemous caricaturesISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning blasphemous caricatures published in a French magazine.
The resolution was tabled by Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and called upon the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) to stop such caricatures from being published. The resolution stated that Parliament respects the freedom of expression but European countries should know the limits associated with it.
The resolution strongly condemned the printing and reprinting of the blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by the French journal and also took serious note of the continued trend of their reproduction in numerous other newspapers and magazines of other Western capitals. It also maintained that such malicious attacks on the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and all other messengers of Allah are a means to hate speech.
The resolution further maintained that there are deliberate attempts to incite violence, create discord, widen misunderstandings among civilizations and thereby provide opportunities to the terrorist elements to capitalise on public sentiments.
The House also condemned all kinds of violence under whatever pretext and maintained that Islam is a faith of peace and tolerance, and nobody should be allowed to distract this universal and all pervading message and spirit of Islam.
Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said no Muslim could tolerate blasphemy and this issue should be raised on the international forum at every level.
Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah called upon the European nations to pay attention towards this sensitive issue as it was not only hurting the feelings of Muslims all over the world but also providing a justification to terrorists to exploit the situation.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said that Islam preaches peace and the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) established the Islamic State of Madina on the basis of tolerance. He said publication of blasphemous caricatures in the name of freedom of expression was in fact providing a wrong reason to those who were having extremist thoughts. He said blasphemy should not be allowed in the name of freedom of expression.
Jamat-e-Islami's Sher Akbar while condemning the publication of blasphemous caricatures said that besides adopting the resolution a march should be held to condemn the act.
PML-F's Ghous Baksh Mehar said that blasphemous caricatures were a conspiracy against Muslims.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk