It was one fine morning in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The most important constitutional body was all set to deliberate upon the most significant matters pertaining to the future legislation in the country. The members of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) were fervently involved in discharging their duties. In their religious zeal, they almost forgot the difference between jihad and ijtehad. Consequently, the deliberation in CII transformed into a holy war.

The clerics, who were too absorbed in their work to care about politics, immediately caught the attention of the out-of-control westernized media. The media, which is funded by Israel, India and the USA, immediately started questioning the intents of the honorable clerics. It is important to note that this anti-state media already had a bias towards dutiful clerics of CII. Maulana Tahir Ashrafi had previously been wrongfully bashed by social media and mainstream media of being drunk, not realizing that all he was drunk on was love for teachings of religion and spirituality.

Maulana Sherani, besides other things, is seen as being associated with JUI-F. His progressive and pluralist attitude, which is beyond any political inclination, is often ignored by media. CII under his chairmanship announced that covering face, hands up to the wrists and feet is not mandatory for the Muslim women. The Honorable Maulana himself added, “It only becomes Wajib (compulsory) for woman to cover her face, hands and feet if there is a danger of spreading disorder, otherwise covering of face, hands and feet for woman is ‘Mustahab’ (better).”

Despite such emancipating views, which were highly endorsed by the feminists around the globe, all the media could point out was that Maulana had expressed his opposition to co-education and the council had ruled against democracy opining that Islam and democracy are not compatible. Though the Maulana disagrees with the present system of the government, yet owing to his reconciliatory approach he has embraced the present system. He himself is an elected member of the NA. Similarly, there are parts of legislation, which he believes should not be amended at all. Blasphemy law is one such example.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that media overlooked the important agendas of the council and instead focused on a minor row which led the peace-loving Maulana Ashrafi to declare on Twitter that he will be in heaven with the companions of the Prophet, while those supporting Ahmadis will rot in hell.

However, it must be borne in mind that the deliberation of the council is of utmost importance. The media should focus on central issues which were being discussed by CII, so that after discussing the pending agenda, the CII can move on to the other important issues as envisioned by its chairperson Maulana Sherani.

According to media reports, Maulana Sherani has expressed his wish to address three important issues for once and for all. The first one is of Ahmadis. The second one is payment of jizya by non-Muslims of Pakistan. The third one is settling the question over the sects that actually fall in the of circle Islam.

Jizya is an important issue as many non-Muslims are enjoying enormous opportunities and immunities which are denied to the marginalized Muslims of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently an ad explicitly mentioned that for the highest paying jobs of sweepers, only non-Muslims need to apply. This was a discriminating act on the part of authorities. Nonetheless, it is the right time that these non-Muslims start paying the taxes. Muslims alone should not bear the burden of taxation.

Third issue that decides which sect falls - and more crucially which does not fall - in the circle of Islam is also of prime importance. It is but time to discredit Munir Report which states: “Keeping in view the several different definitions given by the ulama, need we make any comment except that no two learned divines are agreed on this fundamental. If we attempt our own definition as each learned divine has done and that definition differs from that given by all others, we unanimously go out of the fold of Islam. And if we adopt the definition given by any one of the Ulama, we remain Muslims according to the view of that alim, but kafirs according to the definitions of everyone else.”

By acting upon what Maulana Sherani has envisioned, we will be able to decide once and for all who is and isn't Muslim.

So, let’s forget that the Maulanas called each other names or tore collars and focus on the bigger things which are going on inside the brilliant religious minds.

Besides, even in Tuesday’s brawl, there was one silver lining: Even though the foul language was being used but as one member of the council put it, “It was good that the female member of the council was not present in the meeting,” so that she did not have to see the scene which was witnessed live by the whole world on TV.