“Trump Vowed Not to Let Israel Devour Gaza after PM’s Meeting with Field Marshal, Says Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi”

Lahore: Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council **Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi** said on Sunday that following Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** and Army Chief **Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir**’s meeting with U.S. President **Donald Trump**, the U.S. president declared he would not allow Israel to “devour” Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Jamia Masjid Mubarak in Model Town, Ashrafi urged renewed engagement between mosque pulpits and the public, saying that greater communication from the pulpit is urgently needed to counter divisive influences. He warned that much harm is being done by careless words and actions, and stressed that social-media personalities should not be allowed to push people away from Islamic teachings.

Ashrafi called for unity between worship places — mosques and imambaras — and urged that accusations of blasphemy not be hastily thrown around, saying no individual has the right to act as judge in such matters. He emphasized the need to eliminate extremist attitudes from society.

On foreign policy, Ashrafi praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, saying the prime minister’s address helped soothe hearts over the Gaza and Kashmir crises. He also welcomed Pakistan’s recent defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and noted that several countries — including the UK and Australia — have recognised Palestine. Ashrafi added that Pakistan has been honoured with the role of *Protector of the Two Holy Mosques* among a group of Islamic nations.

Addressing the issue of militancy, he said that Afghanistan is a brotherly Islamic country and its soil must not be used against Pakistan. He highlighted that the Pakistan Ulema Council has issued fatwas condemning suicide attacks and other forms of violence. Ashrafi further noted that the government’s National Message of Peace Committee carries **some 14,000 signatures** from religious scholars and stressed that the concept of jihad must be understood and applied strictly within Sharia-compliant limits that forbid killing innocents.