CII receives ministry’s letter on Hindu temple

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has formally written to the the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) seeking its opinion regarding the construction of a new Hindu temple with state funding.

Religious Affairs Minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, in his letter, requested the council to determine whether or not the government was allowed to fund  construction of a minority worship place as per the Sharia law.

The move came days after an organized hate campaign on social media prompted the CDA and government to halt the construction work.

Fanatics also knocked down the boundary walls of the temple, angering minority activists.

“Construction of a new place of worship for the religious minorities was not permissible under the rules,” the letter pointed out, adding that in view of the situation, the application was forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for consideration.

In response, Prime Minister Khan told the ministry to seek advice from the CII.

CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz acknowledged that he had received the ministry’s letter, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, a protest was held in Islamabad on Wednesday in support of the right of minority Hindus to build their temple in the capital city.