LAHORE   -  Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has impressed on religious scholars the need to spread the teachings of Prophet (SAWW) and motivate people to follow His blessed way of life. While addressing the International Mashaikh and Ulema conference under the aegis of Auqaf Department on Monday, the chief minister said that respect for Ulema and Mashaikh had been a tradition in Muslim societies. “It is commendable that the Ulema and Sufi saints have always rendered yeoman service for the religion of Islam,” he added. “It is sanguine that they have played their role for the collective good of the country,” he stated. The chief minister said that the purpose of celebrating Ashra Shan-e-Rehmatul-lil-Alameen was to sensitise the world to the Muslims’ utmost love and respect for Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). “The reverence and honour of Prophet (SAWW) will always prevail over everything,” he asserted. The CM said: “As many as 10,574 Shan-e-Rehmatul-lil-Alameen scholarships, valuing Rs27.38 crore, have been given to the brilliant but needy students. 

Similarly, 29,142 scholarships of Rs83 crore will be given this year and the amount will be increased to Rs1 billion.” He noted that the ‘Seerat Chairs’ had been established in IUB, Ghazi University DG Khan, Okara University, GCU Faisalabad, University of Chakwal and BZU Multan to fund the research work at those institutions. He said that celebrations were being held across the province to mark the blissful arrival of the Prophet (SAWW). 

“Ashra Shan-e-Rehmatul-lil-Alameen will be celebrated with more zeal and enthusiasm next year, and I also pay tributes to PM Imran Khan for initiating the tradition of officially celebrating Ashra Shan-e-Rehmatul-lil-Alameen,” added the chief minister and announced that the tradition would continue.

Auqaf Minister Saeedul Hassan Shah, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad and Auqaf Secretary Nabeel Javed also spoke on the occasion. SACM Hasaan Khawar, secretaries, religious scholars and notables from the minorities also attended the conference.

The CM distributed cash prizes and awards to position holders of Na’at competitions and writers of books on Seerat.