Daily Times

Speakers at a conference here emphasised the need to promote the culture of pluralism, tolerance and accommodation for building a harmonious society in the country. The international Paighame-e-Pakistan Interfaith Conference titled ‘Global Peace through Dialogue’ was organised by the University of Lahore in collaboration with the Kul Masalk Ulema Board.

The Christian, Sikh and Hindu communities of Pakistan actively participated in the conference. The representatives of minority religious communities appreciated the independence provided by Pakistan to them to freely practice their religions.

A delegation of the Sikh community, which was in the city to participate in the Kartarpur Corridor launch ceremony, also participated in the conference. The members of the delegation expressed their gratitude to the University of Lahore for hosting an international conference on an important subject to help build peace among various faiths.

University of Lahore Rector Dr Mujahid Kamran on the occasion highlighted the commonalities which bind and provide the basis for a happy cohabitation. He emphasised the need to encourage pluralism, tolerance and accommodation for building a harmonious society. “Interfaith dialogue helps each religion to grow and develop mutually. Through dialogue, each religion helps other religions for their enrichment. It also provides space to the religions to contribute and complement each other,” he said.

The Kul Masalk Ulema Board played a pivotal role in organising the conference and making it a success. Speaking on the occasion, President Maulana Asim Makhdoom and Secretary General Dr Badar Munir underlined the need for a continuous discourse among different faiths to build a peaceful and balanced society in Pakistan.

Separately, a one-day workshop to highlight role of universities in the promotion of interfaith harmony was held at the University of Gujrat. University of Gujrat Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shabbar Atiq was chief guest on the occasion. Prominent speakers included Dr Riaz Mahmood (Assistant Professor, University of Gujrat), Dr Zia-ul-Haq (Director General, Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad), Rustam Khan (Deputy Director, Islamic Research Institute) and Arshad Munir (HoD, Islamic Studies Department, University of Gujrat). The conference was organised by the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Gujrat, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and Paigham-e-Pakistan Center for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies, Islamabad.

The conference was followed by a two-day training workshop under Naujawanan-e-Pakistan initiative at the GIFT University Gujranwala titled ‘Advancing Inclusiveness among Youth through Training and Education’. The event was jointly organised by the Paigham-e-Pakistan Center for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies, Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Islamabad, and Society of Islamic Thought and Culture, GIFT University, Gujranwala.

The aim of the workshop was to promote the narrative of peace and engage youth as they have the key for peaceful development of a nation. Prof Dr Faheem ul Islam, Rector, GIFT University, Gujranwala, was chief guest at the inaugural session of the workshop. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the efforts rendered by Prof Dr Zia ulHaq, Director General, Islamic Research Institute, for promoting peace and tolerance in the society.

Other speakers included Prof Dr Mustafeez Ahmed Alvi, Director Department of Arts & Social Sciences, GIFT University; Dr Riaz Mahmood, Assistant Professor, University of Gujrat; and Rustam Khan, Deputy Director, Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad.