Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust and

Engagement

INTRODUCTION The conditions regarding the protection of the

rights of minorities are not ideal in Pakistan.

The violence continues unabated targeting non-Muslims and their assets in many cities across the country.

This despite the fact that under Islam, the rights of minorities in Muslim societies are fully protected to ensure their complete security and harmony; and the same can be deemed ideal for any society.

  

… In order to ensure, safeguard and promote

the rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in Islam, the federal minister for religious affairs and interfaith harmony,

Janab Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, under his patronage has formed an organization Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust and Engagement (UNITE).

UNITE would undertake and strive to improve & ensure an enabling environment for non-Muslims in society.

…

The head of UNITE is the country’s young, renowned religious leader Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin, who is already rendering exemplary guidance by preaching patience and tolerance, religious harmony while educating youth about Islam’s progressive message in the country.

BACKGROUND Majlis Saut ul Islam Pakistan (MSIP)

was established in 1991to reach out to young ulema with a message of pluralism; shunning racial, religious, sectarian, ethnic and regional prejudice and leanings.

It embarked this new path to ensure global peace when few foresaw the absolute necessity for sustaining a peaceful world society.

…

In 2001, Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin was nominated as its chairman. He is also the serving vice chairman of Jamia Islamia Clifton.

He has over 15 years of hands-on exposure and experience in training young ulema to imbibe the progressive message of Islam based on its ethos of peace and respect for all cultures and religions.

Thus the seed was sown back in 2001, carefully nurtured and is now into the final fruition in 2015.

WHY THE NEED? The need of an interfaith organization

stems from Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin’s vision that resonated with the federal minister for religious affairs and interfaith harmony, Janab Sardar Muhammad Yousuf’s:

To set up a forum to promote dialogue where reps of all faiths can have a meaningful exchange of views and offer solutions to promote religious harmony, respect and security for all especially non-Muslims in society.

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

The name:

Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust and Engagement (UNITE)

The registered office:

House No 22, Street No.32, Sector F-6/1, Islamabad

OBJECTIVES The main objective – Elaborate a clear connection between all the

religions of the world with Islam.

Strive for peaceful coexistence between all religions.

Make aware Islam’s inclusiveness to all religions.

Encourage and promote education for the larger public benefit concerning religious education among the different religions.

…

Undertake and establish religious training institutes for awareness among the people to respect the human rights in society.

Promote peace and harmony between all peoples of the world irrespective of their religion.

Develop, maintain linkages and work closely with other religious institutions -local or international - resonating with our objectives.

…

Develop, publish and distribute related books, learning materials, research papers, etc. among the people of different religions.

Present, promote, organize, provide, manage and produce, conferences, international meetings, broadcasts, films, seminar courses and workshop, whether on any premises of the association or elsewhere.

Do all such other lawful things as shall further any or all of the above objects.

AREA OF OPERATION

The area of operation initially will be Islamabad capital territory; it may be extended to other cities and countries as well.

GOVERNING BODY

The name, addresses and descriptions of the present members of the governing body are:

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf – Patron in Chief Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin – Chairman Mufti Abu Bakar Mohiuddin – Vice Chairman Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf – General Secretary Jameel ur Rehman – Joint Secretary Zee Waqar Ahmed – Finance Secretary Sajjad Ahmed – Secretary Information

DESIROUS OF FORMING THE SOCIETY

The undersigned are desirous of forming the society:-

Mohammed Haleem - Proposer

Bakht Nawaz – Seconded

Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf – Secretary for noting the minutes

Articles of Association

DEFINITIONS

Jurisdiction of the society shall cover primarily entire territorial area of the Pakistan with gradual expansion of its activities in different countries of the world.

In constructing and interpreting the rules and regulations of the UNITE, unless the contrary shall be expressed or implied by the context:

UNITE means the society; non-political, non-profitable, non-governmental organization with its registered office.

“Governing body” shall mean governing body, which is the working group.

“General body” shall mean general body, which consists all members.

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“General Secretary” and “joint secretary” shall mean the general secretary and joint secretary respectively.

“Member” means the member of society.

“Office” shall mean the registered office of the UNITE.

“Chairman” and “vice chairman” shall mean the chairman and vice chairman of the society.

Membership

ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP

The eligibility of the membership will be dependent on the following criteria. The applicant shall:

Have full confidence and belief on the objects of the society.

Have attained the age of 21 years.

Must be of sound mind.

…

Have demonstrated keenness for participation in the mission activities.

Have attained intellectual maturity and financial independence.

Practice honest living and leads a good moral life.

…

Have no desire to achieve any material benefit out of membership of the mission.

Have not been convicted in any court of law.

PROCEDURE OF MEMBERSHIP

An application shall be made in such form as the governing body may prescribe from time to time.

Such applications shall be considered by the governing body.

The governing body may accept or reject the application.

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

Member can attend any general meeting.

Member is entitled to receive all journal and informative material published by the society.

Member may participate in the activities of the society.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Any serious misconduct or activity detrimental to the interest of the society.

If he is declared of unsound mind.

If he is found guilty of moral turpitude.

If he is declared insolvent.

If he resigns.

RESTORATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A member, whose membership is terminated on ground of misconduct, can be restored by the chairman or vice chairman of the society.

RESOLUTION

We the above named members, seven in numbers do hereby, with unanimity of opinions and consensus upon the point to register the society named as “UNITE” in accordance with the act xxi of 1860.

Rules and regulation We, all above named members, the

addresses and occupations of whom are described in the form of memorandum of association approved by a resolution presented for this purpose , do hereby form a governing body consisting of seven persons.

GOVERNING BODY

The governing body shall comprise of: Chief patron Chairman Vice chairman General secretary Joint secretary Finance secretary Secretary information

To act, function and perform as governing body of our society “UNITE”.

COUNCIL

We further approve through the resolution under consideration that there shall be a council comprising of the governing body, including the secretary of the society and in charge legislation, who will be responsible for making of rules, regulations and by-laws.

  Its meeting The council shall meet at least twice a year.

However, majority of the members may apply through requisition for the meeting of the council.

QOURUM

The presence of three members including chairman shall be sufficient quorum for the purpose of any proceedings brought to the notice of the council, at least one clear day before its meeting.

Provided that in the absence of chairman, the council may elect one amongst its members as the chairman of the meeting.

Basis of decision-making All decisions taken or made by the governing

body and/or council as the case may be, shall be decided/taken on the basis of majority.

ADAPTATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

The in-charge legislation shall be the in-charge of the committees constituted for the purpose of rule making with the prior written approval of the governing body. These committees presided over by the said director shall draft and propose rules, regulations and by-laws as the case may be, for the consideration of the governing body authorized to amend , alter, modify, rescind or adopt the said rules.

POWER AND DUTIES OF THE GOVERNING BODY

The governing body of the society may receive monetary and non-monetary donations of money and/or properties. Once received these shall be at the absolute disposal of the society, until otherwise required by the rules and regulation.

The governing body of the society shall invest its properties and moneys in such manner as prescribed under section 11 of income tax act 1961 and other statutory laws.

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The governing body of the society shall meet as often as necessary and their proceeding shall be recorded regularly in the minutes’ book to be retained for the purpose. In any resolution to be passed touching the administration of the society, the opinion of the majority shall prevail.

The governing body of the society may, however, decide the matters by circulation. In the case there being equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall cast a vote for deciding the issues.

…

The governing body of the society may open and operate current or deposit or other accounts with any scheduled bank or banks by resolution authorizing any one or more members of the governing body of the society either singly or jointly to operate such accounts.

The governing body of the society may, by a resolution, extend the activities of the society or undertake any activity in furtherance of the main objects of the society.

… Proper books of accounts shall be maintained of

the society and audited by a charted accountant.

To do other such lawful things as are incidental in carrying out the administration and management of the society including power to amend the rules and regulations.

The secretary of the society shall maintain the minutes book in which the proceedings of all the meetings of the governing body or council of the society shall be recorded by the secretary and the same should be signed by the chairperson of the meeting.

CUSTODY OF DOCUMENTS

The chairman or his nominee or any other member if so authorized by the governing body of the society shall have the custody of the documents, deeds of the titles relating to the society’s properties and investments, and the books of account and other records relating to the society and shall be responsible for the preservation of the same.

 Advisory Board The governing body of the society may maintain a

set of advisers for the purpose of utilizing their services in furtherance of the objects of the society.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The society shall hold once a year

annual general meeting. The notice of annual general meeting will be delivered 15 days prior to every member of the society. The annual general meeting shall consider and approve:

Annual report of the general secretary on the activities of the mission.

The accounts and balance sheet and the report of the auditor.

ANNUAL LIST OF MEMBERS

The governing body once in a year at least 30 days before the annual general meeting, approve a list of eligible members.

The general secretary shall be responsible for the list of members.

SERVING OF NOTICE

A notice may be served upon any member, either personally or through registered post addressed to such member at his registered address as in register of members.

 Audit Once in a year, the governing body will

appoint one or more chartered accountants as auditor. The remuneration of the auditor shall also be fixed at the time of appointment.

INDEMNITY

The members of the governing body and other officers of the society shall be indemnified for all losses and expenditure incurred by them in the discharge of their official duty except for their willful act of neglect or default.

Winding up In the event of winding up of the society

all assets after meeting all the debts and liability hall be transferred to any other society in the general body meeting.

GENERAL No member shall issue any press

statement or give interview to the media relating to policy, or program of the society without prior approval of the chairperson.

 Legal Proceedings The society may sue or be sued in its own

name or in the name of general secretary.  Clarification In case of any ambiguity the decision of

chairman will be final.

AMENDMENT

Subject to the provision of the act, the memorandum and articles of the association may be amended, altered or repealed by the governing body. Moreover, the amendment will be submitted to the registrar.

UPCOMING PLANS

Hold a two-day International Conference in Islamabad on Interfaith Harmony that would include leading scholars and representatives from over 20 countries.

Note - This would send out a strong message for peace and amity, raise issues of minorities and offer workable solutions from the scholars’ own experience.

Initiate a four-month national awareness program to promote interfaith harmony, and address issues of religious extremism and intolerance in different cities of Pakistan.

Note - The focus would be to sensitize and bring onboard people from varied sectors of society by gleaning from the teachings of Islam on the need for love, harmony, compassion and tolerance for minorities.

Construct and set up a library in Islamabad to institutionalize a forum ‘Interfaith Dialogue Center’ where interfaith dialogue can ensue freely.

Note - It shall have available materials on the fundamental teachings of all religions. The staffers would constitute reps from all religions to promote religious affinity and the Center would facilitate a central response on any impropriety on religious grounds in the country.

THANK YOU!