ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed Dr Ijaz Akram as Chairman of the high powered National Rehmatul-Lil-Aalmeen Authority (NRA), aimed at countering narratives against Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

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Dr Ijaz is a prominent religious scholar with teaching experience in several international universities, said a press release issued by the federal education ministry.

To seek advice and guidance of esteemed international and national scholars on Seeratun Nabi (PBUH), the authority has a 10-member advisory council comprising Hamza Yusuf, Dr Sayyed Hussain Nasr, Muhammad Faghfoorey, Dr Joseph Lumbard, Waleed al Ansari, Dr Anees Ahmed, Dr Atta ur Rehman, Barrister Nusret Majid, Dr Basit Koshul and Dr Sahibzada Sajid Rehman.

As a patron-in-chief of this noble initiative, the premier directly supervises the authority as he is calling meetings of NRA  three times a week, and is making all-out efforts to highlight tolerance, ethical behaviour, rule of law, respect for minorities, kind and respectful attitude towards women, and character-building in line with the seerat of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Six thematic members of NRA will work in areas like research, international linkages, the role of media, redefining curriculum, outreach and social justice.

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NRA will also review the National curriculum to incorporate the seerat of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), rich values of Islam and ethics. The authority will organise national and international events to develop an emphatic counter-narrative on Islamophobia.