PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a series of programmes to mark Rabi-ul-Awwal, including Seerat conferences, seminars and competitions aimed at promoting the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), interfaith harmony and religious tolerance. Addressing news conference on Monday, Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri said the programmes would be held from August 14 to 25 under a comprehensive provincial plan for Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 AH. He said the activities would involve government departments, district administrations, educational institutions, seminaries, religious scholars, youth, women, minority communities and civil society.
According to the minister, Seerat conferences and competitions in Qiraat and Naat would be held at the district and divisional levels. Universities and colleges would organise Seerat seminars, while schools and seminaries would hold conferences, speech contests, Quran recitation competitions and other programmes.
The minister said divisional-level Qiraat and Naat competitions would be held on Aug 21, followed by the provincial-level finals on Aug 24. Cash prizes and certificates would be awarded to successful participants.
A major Seerat conference would also be held at the provincial level, with prominent religious scholars, women, representatives of minority communities and other notable figures in attendance.
Qadri said the conference would focus on interfaith harmony, tolerance, peace, justice and equal rights, drawing on the teachings of Seerat-i-Taiba and the principles associated with the State of Madina. He said the government would also use print, electronic and radio media to take the message of Seerat-i-Taiba to a wider audience through special programmes and awareness campaigns.
The minister directed the relevant departments to ensure broad public participation in the activities and effectively communicate the message of mercy, peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony associated with the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
