Pakistan Observes Day of Condemnation and Solidarity With the Haramain as Friday Sermons Denounce Houthi Attacks

Friday congregations across Pakistan carried a single message this week: there can be no compromise over the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain. Responding to an appeal by the Pakistan Ulema Council and the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council, worshippers observed a nationwide Day of Condemnation against the Houthi attacks and expressed complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The appeal followed the cruise missile attack directed towards Madinah, which had drawn sharp reactions from religious circles.

In a video statement, council chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said firing missiles towards a city as sacred as Madinah wounded the sentiments of the entire Muslim Ummah, and expressed confidence that the holy city would remain protected. A joint statement by the allied religious organisations endorsed the collective scholarly rulings that declare attacks on the Haramain, on civilians and on innocent people forbidden — a form of corruption on earth, and contrary to Islamic teaching. The statement was careful to add that the condemnation was not aimed at any sect or school of thought; it was a religious and humanitarian position against terrorism and attacks on sacred places.

Sermons carry the message

In their Friday sermons, prayer leaders spoke about the sanctity of the Haramain, the protection of the guests of Allah and the importance of unity within the Ummah. Congregations adopted resolutions condemning the attacks, and special prayers were offered for the peace and security of Saudi Arabia, the Haramain Sharifain, Pakistan and the wider Muslim world.

The joint statement also called on the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to move beyond statements and take effective action, and demanded accountability for those supplying the Houthis with missiles, drones and financial support.