ISLAMABAD: Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Thursday said that the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) provides foundation to forge harmony among various sects and overcome internal bickering.

Chairing the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted National Ulema and Mashaikh Council (NUMC), he said the main aim of constituting National Ulema and Mashaikh Council was to promote harmony among various segments of society and also to chalk out a joint strategy for promoting interfaith harmony and avoiding bickering among various segments of society.

The basic aim of creating a separate homeland was to live as a coherent and integrated nation, but alas the nation has virtually been divided on secretarian lines instead of transforming ourselves in to a coherent nation, he said.