UNITE

Universal Nexus for

Interfaith Trust and Engagement

INTRODUCTION

The conditions regarding the protection of therights of minorities are not ideal in Pakistan.

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

This despite the fact that under Islam, the rightsof minorities in Muslim societies are fullyprotected to ensure their complete security andharmony; and the same can be deemed ideal forany society.

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In order to ensure, safeguard and promote therights of non-Muslims as enshrined in Islam, thefederal minister for religious affairs andinterfaith harmony,

Janab Sardar Muhammad Yousuf,under his patronage has formed an organizationUniversal Nexus for Interfaith Trust andEngagement (UNITE).

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

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The head of UNITE is the country’syoung, renowned religious leaderMufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin, who isalready rendering exemplaryguidance by preaching patience andtolerance, religious harmony whileeducating youth about Islam’sprogressive message in the country.

BACKGROUND

Majlis Saut ul Islam Pakistan (MSIP) wasestablished in 1991to reach out to youngulema with a message of pluralism;shunning racial, religious, sectarian,ethnic and regional prejudice andleanings.

It embarked this new path to ensureglobal peace when few foresaw theabsolute necessity for sustaining apeaceful world society.

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In 2001, Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin wasnominated as its chairman. He is also the servingvice chairman of Jamia Islamia Clifton.

He has over 15 years of hands-on exposure andexperience in training young ulema to imbibe theprogressive message of Islam based on its ethosof peace and respect for all cultures and religions.

Thus the seed was sown back in 2001, carefullynurtured and is now into the final fruition in2015.

WHY THE NEED?

The need of an interfaith organizationstems from Mufti Abu HurairaMohiuddin’s vision that resonated withthe federal minister for religious affairsand interfaith harmony, Janab SardarMuhammad Yousuf’s:

To set up a forum to promote dialoguewhere reps of all faiths can have ameaningful exchange of views and offersolutions to promote religious harmony,respect and security for all especially non-Muslims in society.

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

The name:

Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trustand 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 religionsof 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 largerpublic benefit concerning religious education amongthe different religions.

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Undertake and establish religious traininginstitutes for awareness among the people torespect the human rights in society.

Promote peace and harmony between allpeoples of the world irrespective of their religion.

Develop, maintain linkages and work closelywith other religious institutions -local orinternational - resonating with our objectives.

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

Present, promote, organize, provide,manage and produce, conferences, internationalmeetings, broadcasts, films, seminar courses andworkshop, whether on any premises of theassociation or elsewhere.

Do all such other lawful things as shallfurther any or all of the above objects.

AREA OF OPERATION

The area of operationinitially will beIslamabad capitalterritory; it may beextended to other citiesand countries as well.

GOVERNING BODY

The name, addresses and descriptions of thepresent 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 THESOCIETY

The undersigned are desirous of forming thesociety:-

Mohammed Haleem - Proposer

Bakht Nawaz – Seconded

Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf – Secretary fornoting the minutes

Articles ofAssociation

DEFINITIONS

Jurisdiction of the society shall coverprimarily entire territorial area of thePakistan with gradual expansion of itsactivities in different countries of theworld.

In constructing and interpreting therules and regulations of the UNITE,unless the contrary shall be expressed orimplied by the context:

UNITE means the society; non-political,non-profitable, non-governmentalorganization with its registered office.

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

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

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“General Secretary” and “joint secretary” shallmean the general secretary and joint secretaryrespectively.

“Member” means the member of society.

“Office” shall mean the registered office of theUNITE.

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

Membership

ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP

The eligibility of the membership will bedependent on the following criteria. Theapplicant shall:

Have full confidence and belief on theobjects of the society.

Have attained the age of 21 years.

Must be of sound mind.

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Have demonstrated keenness forparticipation in the missionactivities.

Have attained intellectual maturityand financial independence.

Practice honest living and leads agood moral life.

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Have no desire to achieve anymaterial benefit out ofmembership of the mission.

Have not been convicted in anycourt of law.

PROCEDURE OF MEMBERSHIP

An application shall be made in suchform as the governing body mayprescribe from time to time.

Such applications shall beconsidered by the governing body.

The governing body may accept orreject the application.

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

Member can attend any generalmeeting.

Member is entitled to receive alljournal and informative materialpublished by the society.

Member may participate in theactivities of the society.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Any serious misconduct or activitydetrimental 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, whosemembership is terminatedon ground of misconduct,can be restored by thechairman or vice chairmanof the society.

RESOLUTION

We the above named members, seven in numbersdo hereby, with unanimity of opinions andconsensus upon the point to register the societynamed as “UNITE” in accordance with the actxxi of 1860.

Rules and regulation

We, all above named members, the addresses andoccupations of whom are described in the form ofmemorandum of association approved by aresolution presented for this purpose , do herebyform a governing body consisting of sevenpersons.

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 oursociety “UNITE”.

COUNCIL

We further approve through the resolution underconsideration that there shall be a councilcomprising of the governing body, including thesecretary of the society and in charge legislation,who will be responsible for making of rules,regulations and by-laws.

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Its meeting

The council shall meet at least twice a year.However, majority of the members may applythrough requisition for the meeting of the council.

QOURUM

The presence of three members including chairmanshall be sufficient quorum for the purpose of anyproceedings brought to the notice of the council, atleast one clear day before its meeting.

Provided that in the absence of chairman, the councilmay elect one amongst its members as the chairmanof the meeting.

Basis of decision-making

All decisions taken or made by the governing bodyand/or council as the case may be, shall bedecided/taken on the basis of majority.

ADAPTATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

The in-charge legislation shall be the in-chargeof the committees constituted for the purposeof rule making with the prior written approvalof the governing body. These committeespresided over by the said director shall draftand propose rules, regulations and by-laws asthe case may be, for the consideration of thegoverning body authorized to amend , alter,modify, rescind or adopt the said rules.

POWER AND DUTIES OF THE GOVERNINGBODY

The governing body of the society may receivemonetary and non-monetary donations ofmoney and/or properties. Once received theseshall be at the absolute disposal of the society,until otherwise required by the rules andregulation.

The governing body of the society shall invest itsproperties and moneys in such manner asprescribed under section 11 of income tax act1961 and other statutory laws.

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The governing body of the society shall meet asoften as necessary and their proceeding shall berecorded regularly in the minutes’ book to beretained for the purpose. In any resolution to bepassed 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 casethere being equality of votes, the chairman of themeeting shall cast a vote for deciding the issues.

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The governing body of the society may open andoperate current or deposit or other accounts withany scheduled bank or banks by resolutionauthorizing any one or more members of thegoverning body of the society either singly orjointly to operate such accounts.

The governing body of the society may, by aresolution, extend the activities of the society orundertake any activity in furtherance of the mainobjects of the society.

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Proper books of accounts shall be maintained of thesociety and audited by a charted accountant.

To do other such lawful things as are incidental incarrying out the administration and management ofthe society including power to amend the rules andregulations.

The secretary of the society shall maintain theminutes book in which the proceedings of all themeetings of the governing body or council of the societyshall be recorded by the secretary and the same shouldbe signed by the chairperson of the meeting.

CUSTODY OF DOCUMENTS

The chairman or his nominee or any other member ifso authorized by the governing body of the society shallhave the custody of the documents, deeds of the titlesrelating to the society’s properties and investments,and the books of account and other records relating tothe society and shall be responsible for thepreservation of the same.

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Advisory Board

The governing body of the society may maintain a setof advisers for the purpose of utilizing their services infurtherance of the objects of the society.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The society shall hold once a year annualgeneral meeting. The notice of annualgeneral meeting will be delivered 15 daysprior to every member of the society. Theannual general meeting shall considerand approve:

Annual report of the general secretary onthe activities of the mission.

The accounts and balance sheet and thereport of the auditor.

ANNUAL LIST OF MEMBERS

The governing body once in a year atleast 30 days before the annualgeneral meeting, approve a list ofeligible members.

The general secretary shall beresponsible for the list of members.

SERVING OF NOTICE

A notice may be served upon any member,either personally or through registeredpost addressed to such member at hisregistered address as in register ofmembers.

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Audit

Once in a year, the governing body willappoint one or more charteredaccountants as auditor. The remunerationof the auditor shall also be fixed at thetime of appointment.

INDEMNITY

The members of the governing body andother officers of the society shall beindemnified for all losses and expenditureincurred by them in the discharge of theirofficial duty except for their willful act ofneglect or default.

Winding up

In the event of winding up of the societyall assets after meeting all the debts andliability hall be transferred to any othersociety in the general body meeting.

GENERAL

No member shall issue any press statement orgive interview to the media relating to policy,or program of the society without priorapproval of the chairperson.

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Legal Proceedings

The society may sue or be sued in its ownname or in the name of general secretary.

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Clarification

In case of any ambiguity the decision ofchairman will be final.

AMENDMENT

Subject to the provision of theact, the memorandum andarticles of the association may beamended, altered or repealed bythe governing body. Moreover,the amendment will besubmitted to the registrar.

UPCOMING PLANS

Hold a two-day International Conferencein Islamabad on Interfaith Harmony thatwould include leading scholars andrepresentatives from over 20 countries.

Note - This would send out a strong message forpeace and amity, raise issues of minorities andoffer workable solutions from the scholars’ ownexperience.

Initiate a four-month national awarenessprogram to promote interfaith harmony,and address issues of religious extremismand intolerance in different cities ofPakistan.

Note - The focus would be to sensitize and bringonboard people from varied sectors of society bygleaning from the teachings of Islam on the needfor love, harmony, compassion and tolerance forminorities.

Construct and set up a library inIslamabad to institutionalize a forum‘Interfaith Dialogue Center’ whereinterfaith dialogue can ensue freely.

Note - It shall have available materials on thefundamental teachings of all religions. Thestaffers would constitute reps from all religionsto promote religious affinity and the Centerwould facilitate a central response on anyimpropriety on religious grounds in the country.

THANK YOU!