In a rare move, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) has come forward to support the construction of the first Hindu temple in Islamabad, while criticising those who are trying to make the issue controversial.
"We condemn the controversy over the construction of the temple, and the act of the extremist clerics to make the issue controversial is not correct," PUC Chairman Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said on Friday, Dawn reported.
Ashrafi further said that the council will summon a meeting and will convey its point of view to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). He added that the Constitution defines the rights of Muslims as well as non-Muslims residing in the country.
Last month, a team of CDA officials visited the site and told the workers to halt the temple's construction. According to them, the structure can be built once its design is approved as per the building plan.
The religious affairs ministry had earlier said it would only renovate a place of worship of the religious minorities and would not build a new one. It also said the decision to build the temple would be taken keeping in view all religious aspects. The spokesperson had assured that the state will ensure protection of the rights of minorities.
"We condemn the controversy over the construction of the temple, and the act of the extremist clerics to make the issue controversial is not correct," PUC Chairman Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said on Friday, Dawn reported.
Ashrafi further said that the council will summon a meeting and will convey its point of view to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). He added that the Constitution defines the rights of Muslims as well as non-Muslims residing in the country.
Last month, a team of CDA officials visited the site and told the workers to halt the temple's construction. According to them, the structure can be built once its design is approved as per the building plan.
The religious affairs ministry had earlier said it would only renovate a place of worship of the religious minorities and would not build a new one. It also said the decision to build the temple would be taken keeping in view all religious aspects. The spokesperson had assured that the state will ensure protection of the rights of minorities.