Research and Reference Wing

MoRA & IH :: Research and Reference Wing

Introduction

Research and Reference Wing was created in 1976 as a Research Arm to conduct thorough research in various fields, provide an in-depth juristic point of view regarding Religious matter, formulate policies by SOPs in order to deal with certain challenges i.e. sectarianism, hate speech, blasphemy, anti-Islam propaganda, etc. And propagate various aspects of Seerat un Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) in order to provide solutions for recurring challenges.

SEERAT ACTIVITIES:

 

Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony conducted following activities to pay homage to the Holy Prophet (?) during this year:

  • One day National Seerat Conference 1446 AH / 2024 on 12th Rabi ul Awal was arranged on the following topic:

 

The state's educational system...in the light of the Seerat-un-Nabi (peace be upon him)

 

Persons from all walks of life including diplomats, politicians and other prominent personalities attended the conference.

The President of Pakistan of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the chief guest at the conference and conferred the prizes to the position holders of Seerat Books Competition 1446AH /2024AD.

 

  • Mehfil-e-Naat was organized at Pakistan National Arts Council on the evening of 11th Rabi ul Awwal wherein country’s renowned Naat Khawan both male and female participated and presented their tributes to the Holy Prophet (?).
  • A comprehensive country-wide Milad un Nabi Celebration Program was chalked out consisting of various activities/ programs and was disseminated among the
    Federal and Provincial ministries/departments with instructions to celebrate
    Milad un Nabi all over the country in a befitting manner.

 

National Seerat Book Competition 1446 AH / 2024 AD was conducted and the prize winners were awarded prize money & certificates on the occasion of two days National Seerat Conference in following nine categories:

 

 

 

Sr.

Name of Category

No of Prizes

1

Seerat Books in Urdu

3

2

Seerat Book in Regional Language

6

3

Religious / Seerah Books for Children

3

4

Seerat Books (Foreign Language)

3

5

Naat Books in Urdu

3

6

Naat Books in Regional Language

6

7

Religious Books by Women / Female

3

8

Mujallat (Seerat editions)

3

9

Maqalat for Men and Women / Research Articles

33

Total

63

 

            PUBLICATION OF MESSAGES:    

           The messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to the nation were released on the following six specified religious occasions:

 

  • New Hijri Year
  • 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram (Youm-e-Ashur) 
  • 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal
  • Ramazan-ul-Mubarak
  • Eid –ul-Fitr
  • Eid-ul-Azha
  • Other Religious event

 

           PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF MAQALAT-E-SEERAT:

 

         The prize winning Maqalat of 2023 / 1445 AH were published in a book form & distributed among the libraries throughout Pakistan.

 

                                                                                                               "Strategy for the country's economic stability, in the light of the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him)"

 

         SECTARIAN HARMONY MEETINGS:

           A meeting of Ulema from all schools of thought is convened every year before commencement of Muharram in order to ensure peace and harmony during the Holy month. In continuation, a meeting was convened in the Ministry on 03-07-2024. The Ulema and representative of other relevant departments & Security Agencies attended the meeting. In pursuance of the deliberations emerged in the meeting, a unanimously agreed upon declaration was framed and distributed among all the concerned.

 

LEGISLATIONS:

 

Sr#

Name of the Bill

Status

1

The Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and Recording Errors) (Amendments) Act, 2024

To ensure error free printing of the Holy Quran, an Official Bill “The Publication of the Holy Quran (Elimination of Printing and Recording Errors) (Amendments) Bill, 2023 was drafted by this Ministry.” The said bill passed by Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and President of Pakistan assent the same. Now, the said bill has been enforced at ICT level. 

2

Ruet-e-Hilal Bill, 2023 was drafted by this Ministry

To bring harmony and uniformity on religious festivals in the country, “The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill, 2023” was prepared by this Ministry in consultation with all stake-holders. The said bill passed by Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and presently waiting for assent of the President of Pakistan.

 

 

 WEB EVALUATION CELL

CONTROVERSIAL / OBJECTIONABLE LINKS

 

       The Web Evaluation Cell (WEC) was established in the Ministry in 2017 for evaluation of religiously objectionable content, being reported from various segments through online content social media and other channels. 

     The summary of total figure regarding objectionable links reported for blockage to PTA till 30-06-2024 category and platform wise states of Web Evaluation Cell are shown below:-

 

CATEGORY WISE STATS

 

PLATFORM WISE STATS

 

STATUS WISE STATS

TOTAL LINKS = 9,972

 

TOTAL LINKS = 9,972

 

TOTAL LINKS = 9,972

CATEGORY

LINKS

 

PLATFORM

LINKS

 

STATUS

LINKS

Pornography / Obscene content

2,322

 

X (Twitter)

4,363

 

Processed

7,980

Blasphemy

3,176

 

Instagram

2,653

 

Open

1,675

Anti-Islamic

1,734

 

Facebook

1,307

 

Under-Process

227

Defiling of Holy Quran

1,506

 

Others

942

 

Already Blocked

90

Qadiani

339

 

YouTube

327

 

 

0

Hate Speech

249

 

Website

98

 

 

 

Against Decency and Morality

176

 

Pinterest

93

 

 

 

Anti-Religion

227

 

Reddit

78

 

 

 

Others

116

 

TikTok

33

 

 

 

Already Blocked

84

 

Flickr

41

 

 

 

Against Holy Personages

29

 

WhatsApp

28

 

 

 

Sectarianism

29

 

Blogspot

15

 

 

 

 Links Reported before 11-09-2023 

53,501 

 

Links Reported from 11-09-2023 till 22-10-2024

9,972

 

Links Decided by Apex Committee and Reported through letter till 22nd Meeting

180

 

Total

63,653

 
                   

 

         CONSTITUTION OF APEX COMMITTEE          

       An Apex Committee comprising of Ulema from all schools of thought, university academia and representatives from PTA, Federal Investigation Agency, Council of Islamic Ideology and Law and Justice Division has been constituted to analyze sensitive online contents and prepare recommendations for taking further appropriate actions. The Apex Committee holds it’s regularly & till now nineteen meetings have been held.


        RECOMMENDATIONS OF CIVIL AWARDS

           The Ministries and their divisions are invited by the Cabinet Division to recommend candidates for Civil Award. Renowned nominees are considered by three award committees after which final recommendations are sent to the President for approval. After the President's approval, the announcements are made on Independence Day and investiture takes place on Pakistan Day. The Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony is responsible for recommending names of renowned personalities for Conferment of Pakistan Civil Awards in Religious categories i.e. Qirat, Naat, Religious services as well as Minorities in the category of Interfaith Harmony.

 

     Following personalities rendering Religious services were recommended for Civil Award by the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony in 2024:

 

NAME

FIELD

AWARD

MAULANA ILYAS QADRI

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

SITARA-E-IMTIAZ

DR MOHYUDDIN HASHMI

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

DR. MUHAMMAD ILYAS

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

PIR SYED MUHAMMAD ALI RAZA BUKHARI

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

DR. SAMIA RAHEEL QAZI

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

NABEERA ANDALEEB NAEEMI

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

SARWAR HUSSAIN NAQSBANDI

NAAT KHAWN

SITARA-E-IMTIAZ

SYED ZEEHAN BUKHARI

NAAT KHAWN

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

SYED ALTAF HUSSIAN KAZMI

NAAT KHAWAN

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

HAFIZ MAQBOOL UR REHMAN

NAAT KHAWAN

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

QARI SYED SADAQAT ALI

QARI

NISHAN-E-IMTIAZ

FR.DR. JAMES CHANNON OP

INTERFAITH HARMOMY

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

HUMPHREY SARFARAZ PETERS

INTERFAITH HARMOMY

TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ

 

Functions of Research and Reference Wing

The Research and Reference Wing was created in 1976 as a Research Arm of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to:

  • Conduct research in various fields of Islamic studies
  • Work as a pivotal force of the Ministry in executing Government policies at the Federal in terms of matters/references requiring in-depth study from a religious/juristic point of view
  • Study / interpret the teachings of Islam in the context of the intellectual and scientific progress of the modern world
  • Identify and study contemporary problems of the country in particular and the world of Islam in general
  • Publish monographs, books, research reports, and such other research material as may be considered necessary for the promotion of knowledge of Islam
  • Serve as a clearinghouse of knowledge on various aspects of Islam
  • Promotion of sectarian harmony and eradication of social evils
  • Uplift the living standard of the people from the socio-religious perspective

 

Job Description:

Director General 

                Over-all Supervision of Research and Reference Wing.

Director-I

                Supervision of Tasks of DD(WEC), AD (G). Librarian

                Distribution of Special tasks among the subordinate officers.

Director-II

                Supervision of  Tasks of DD(S), AD (Q), AD (J-I) and AD (J-II).

                Distribution of Special tasks among the subordinate officers.

Deputy Director (Seerat)

  • National Seerat/Naat Book/Article Competitions.
  • Holding National/ International Seerat Conferences. 
  • Printing, publication and distribution of MAQALAT-E­ SEERAT.
  • Drafting President/Prime Minister’s messages to the Nation  on different  Islamic occasions.
  • Matter Relating to Rehmatul Lil-Alameen Authority.
  • Processing requests of religious personalities for call on the President and the Prime Minister

Assistant Director (J-I)

  • Matters related to following laws of Ministry:
        1. Muslim  Family Law Ordinance,1961
        2. Marriage Functions Ordinance 2000
        3. Ehtram-e-Ramzan Ordinance, 1989.
        4. Dowry & Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act 1976
        5. Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939
  • Matters relating to marriage, adoption, guardianship and minors etc.

Assistant Director (J-I)

  • Routine Court Cases except cases pertaining to Hajj. 
  • Academic and legal aspects of Blasphemy law.
  • Academic matters pertaining to Fundamentalism, Terrorism, and Extremism.
  • Matters pertaining to Human rights/status.
  • Examination of issues under Islamic jurisprudence.
  • Drafting of Speeches to be presented on International forums.

Assistant Director J-II

  • Consultation and coordination with ulema on different religious matters.
  • Celebration of Country-Wide Milad.
  • Countering anti Islam propaganda, hate speech and islamophobia
  • Dealing with matters pertaining to sectarianism /  terrorism and religious harmony
  • Review & drafting of Hajj literature for training and education of hujjaj
  • Drafting speeches/articles for the Minister for participation in seminars and conference
  • Academic support in the matters relating to world religious organizations(OIC, Muslim World League etc.)
  • Supportive role in islamization of economy and banking.
  • Observance of Islamic Moral Standards (social evils, vulgarity, nudity etc.)

Assistant Director (G)

  • Complaint referred through Pakistan citizen portal, Pakistan Information Commission, Individuals, institutions etc.
  • Coordination within and on behalf of R&R Wing.
  • Matters related to eradication of social evils and promotion of Islamic moral standards.
  • Review of books, literature, magazines including Hajj literature of M/oRA.
  • Matters related to Federal Ombudsman & Court cases on relevant subjects.
  • Preparation of all reports, briefs, presentations on behalf of (R&R). 
  • Preparation of speeches, messages, working papers etc.
  • Academic matters related to international Islamic organizations.
  • Matters related to sanctity of Holy Quran, Holy names and sacred papers.

Assistant Director (Q)

  • Matters related to Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
  • Holding of the meetings of Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees on the evening of 29th of each lunar month
  • Coordination among Central and Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees
  • Holding of meetings of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for i) Muharram  ii) Ramazan  iii) Shawal  iv) Zul-Hajj
  • Court cases on Holy Quran and Ruet-e-Hilal
  • The Publication of the Holy Quran( Printing and Recording Errors) Act 1973 and Amendment Bill 2021
  • Ruet-e-Helal Bill 2021

Deputy Director (WEC)

  • Web Evaluation Cell (Research Assistants)
  • MANDATE: Analysis of Religiously Objectionable Content
  • (Blasphemous, Sectarian, misinformation, impersonation, Videos on lives of prophets etc)
  • EVALUATION PROCESS(Analyzed and reported to PTA for blockage and FIA to take action)
  • Apex Committee (Controversial matters)

Break up of Evaluated Content/URLs from 2017 till date

  • Phase I: (2017-2018).      1-8671 URLs were evaluated
  • Phase II: (2019-2020) 8672-44996 URLs were evaluated
  • Phase-III and IV: (2020-2021)       44997-50000 URLs were evaluated
  • Current Phase: (2021-2022)         

50000-52096 URLs have been evaluated