By IRNA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf in his ‘Ashura’ message on Saturday paid homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (PBUH) and urged the people to shun sectarianism. Ashura, the 10th of Moharram was observed across Pakistan, including its controlled Kashmir, on Sunday.
Moharram processions were also taken out in many major cities on the 9th of Moharram and the mourners recalled the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions.
“We have to adopt the great teachings of Islam by rising above sectarian, regional and petty differences, ” President Musharraf said.
“We also have to strengthen peace, harmony and brotherhood in the society”.
He said that Hazrat Imam Hussain proved with his words, deeds and martyrdom that Islamic teachings stress on caring for others’ feelings and maintaining mutual harmony in social life.
“Fraternity is considered an important moral attribute in Islam”.
“If each others’ beliefs and faiths are not respected and the people are forced to adopt your own views, and also they are not allowed to express their ideas and tenets, then this creates suffocation in the society and gives way to develop prejudice and narrow-mindedness”.
The President said that such situation also hinders intellectual and developmental progress, whereas love and brotherhood through mutual relationships develop pleasant atmosphere and projection of great human values.