ISLAMABAD, Saturday, September 6, 2025 (WNP): Political leaders, scholars, and international delegates on Saturday gathered for the 50th International Seerat-un-Nabi Conference, where participants highlighted the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), underscored the responsible use of social media, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Palestine and Kashmir.

Organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony at the Convention Centre, the conference was held under the theme “State’s Responsibilities in Educating for the Beneficial Use of Social Media in the Light of Seerat-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him).” The event drew a wide audience, including diplomats, foreign delegates, religious scholars, seminary students, and members of the public.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf praised the role of religious scholars in shaping society’s moral values and expressed gratitude for being part of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said Pakistan has consistently extended the message of peace and truth to the world and emphasized the importance of children’s participation in the conference for their moral training.

“Our faith teaches us that Pakistan and Palestine are one,” he said, assuring that the conference’s resolutions would be fully implemented in support of oppressed peoples, particularly in Palestine and Kashmir.

Yousaf also paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and lauded Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership in the recent Bunyan-ul-Marsoos operation, describing it as a historic victory. He called for unity among Muslims, noting that the global Muslim community shares each other’s struggles and challenges.

International delegates echoed similar calls for solidarity and moral responsibility.Palestinian Supreme Judge and Advisor to the President on Religious and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mahmoud Sidqi Abdul Rahman Al-Habbash, said the “hearts, souls, and faith of the people of Pakistan and Palestine are united.”

He urged Muslims worldwide to defend Masjid Al-Haram, Masjid An-Nabawi, and Masjid Al-Aqsa, which he described as central to Islamic faith. Condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, he said, “We will stand like a rock against Israeli aggression, and with the help of Allah, victory will be ours.”

Bangladesh President’s Adviser on Religious Affairs, A.F.M. Khalid Hussain, extended greetings from Dhaka and warned against the spread of unverified information online, noting that even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forbade unchecked reporting. Bahrain’s Shura Council member and former Deputy Speaker, Dr. Adel Abdulrahman Almuawda, lauded Pakistan’s role as a “fortress of Islam” and urged the youth to adopt the Prophet’s teachings as guiding principles.

Other Pakistani leaders echoed concerns about the misuse of digital platforms. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Pir Syed Imran Shah, stressed that fake news and online abuse contradict Islamic values. Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, urged the state to enforce stricter measures against disinformation. Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, praised the armed forces’ sacrifices and linked the Prophet’s teachings to overcoming social ills.

Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, warned that disinformation campaigns were being used to create rifts between the people and the state, while reiterating Pakistan’s call for an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Vice President of the Shia Ulema Council, Allama Arif Wahidi, applauded the ministry for uniting scholars from across sects, stressing that sectarianism and hatred spread through social media must be countered.

The conference also featured symbolic gestures of unity and environmental responsibility, including tree-planting activities, while reaffirming the importance of education, interfaith harmony, and collective efforts for global peace.

By the close of the gathering, participants emphasized that the Prophet’s teachings remain a timeless guide for addressing modern challenges, from digital responsibility to global conflicts. The event concluded with a renewed pledge of solidarity with Palestine and Kashmir, and a collective call for unity across the Muslim world.