MUSLIM community indebted to Punjab Government

Ferozepur, July 12, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal has issued instructions to all the jail officials in the state to exempt Muslim prisoners from hard work during the celebrations of holy month of Ramzan, which is celebrated with due respect, to allow the Muslim prisoners to perform prayers and rituals of Ramzan, during which they observe fast and they may not feel any difficulty while expressing their religious sentiments.

These views were expressed by Member, Minority Commission, Hafiz Tehsin Ahmed in a press conference at circuit house today.

Hafiz Tehsin Ahmed said, “The month of Ramzan is considered as pious in Islam religion.  During this month, a fast is kept by the Muslim community and inmates in the jail cannot do hard work during the month and their visit to the Masjid on time is also necessary.  Keeping these problems in view, Punjab Chief Minister have issued the directions to the jail administration officials that the Muslim inmates in the jails should not be put on hard during this month apart from allowing them to assemble in Masjid and making arrangements for fruits etc."

He further said, “This demand has been carrying on since long from the Muslim community for which the whole Muslim community would be indebted to Chief Minister, Punjab.  Punjab is the first state where Muslim community has been extended this facility”.

Prior to this, Ahmed also visited the local jail so that the problems of Muslim inmates could be solved. He informed that the jail authorities have assured him that there will be no problem to Muslim inmates in the jail as per directions of the Punjab Government.

A meeting with the inmates was also arranged and they expressed their happiness over the arrangements of the jail authorities.

Ahmed also said, in Punjab jails more than 550 prisoners and prisoners under-trail and the Commission has issued directions to tour all the jails to ascertain that no prisoner is having any sort of problem.

On this occasion, Albert Dua, Member Minority Commission, Yakoob Bhatti were also present.