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Saturday, October 12, 2013
Teachings of Islam underscored for protection of girl childStaff Report
LAHORE: Two civil society organizations – the Jaag and Bargad – in collaboration with the ‘Initiative for Change’ and Lahore Press Club marked the International Day for Girl Child, holding a seminar to create awareness among the masses about the issue on Friday.
October 11 is marked as International Day for Girl Child by the United Nations’ adolescent task force. Six UN institutions including Unicef, and UNFPA are sole custodian of this campaign.
Former Judge Federal Shariat Court and former minister for law Syed Afzal Haider presided over the seminar while former member provincial assembly of Punjab and PPP leader Shukat Basrra, executive director JAAG Aamir Riaz, Executive director Bargad Sabiha Shaheen, human rights activist Iqbal Haider Butt participated in the discussion.
Afzal Haider narrated the difference between outdated traditions, progressive traditions and religious message on the issue of girl child.
He told that even our women usually follow outdated traditions based on anti-women mindset. It is Islam who protected women in so many ways, added Haider and gave numerous examples from the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He explained his point of view by giving examples from the Islamic history saying protectors of outdated traditions tries to hide behind Islam but in fact, their all acts including torture on their wives or sisters or daughters, refusing education rights to girls and marrying their daughter in teen age, are product of
outdated traditions has nothing to do with religion.Shukat Basrra told the audience that it was the last government of PPP which passed bill for protection of women. He said civil society should raise such issues on the relevant platforms and his party would raise the issue in the assemblies as well, he added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk