Religious Scholars Stress Interfaith Harmony & Need for Developing Tolerance
By Link Karachi Correspondent
Ambassador Allama Ahsan Siddiqui, Chairman Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony (ICPH), has announced to launch a vigorous campaign to promote interfaith harmony and respect for sacred personalities of all religions.
Paigham-e-Pakistan rules out any form of terrorism and self-proclaimed acts of violent extremism in the name of religion. The Paigham-e- Pakistan narrative, he said, was also ably presented by Prime Minister Imran Khan in the United Nations and it was duly appreciated on a global scale.
Ambassador Allama Ahsan Siddiqui was addressing the International Religious Freedom and Interfaith Harmony Conference 2021 at the Avari Towers in Karachi, Pakistan.
Islam teaches us tolerance, humility, and humbleness and we can establish peace and harmony in our personal lives, society and the world at large by following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), scholars and speakers said at the concluding session of the conference organized by ICPH in collaboration with the American Muslim and Multifaith Women's Empowerment Council. Religious scholars from various faiths including representatives of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Paarsi and Bihaai communities, social activists, diplomats from several countries and people from different walks of life participated in the conference. Many international dignitaries joined the event virtually and shared their views on the important and sensitive topic.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Sindh Minister Mr Nasir Hussain Shah said, “Ending extremism, terrorism and sectarian violence requires a dialogue between people of different groups. To achieve this goal the government will hold training sessions for Imams, Preachers, Teachers as per modern requirements and standards of society.”
Consul General Honorable Rob Silberstein praised the efforts of Ambassador Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui, Chairman of Interfaith Commission for Peace and Harmony (ICPH) and President AMMWEC Anila Ali in being a unifying force and exemplifying the best of American and Muslim values. Consul General US virtually joined the event and said that Inter-Faith Harmony is an important idea in a multi-religious society. There should be well managed arrangements for religious co-existence in all parts of the globe. He said, “I would like to emphasize that the United States is deeply committed to promoting and protecting universal freedom of religion. The ability to practice one’s faith freely goes to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a key element of an open and stable society and forms the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. Where the freedom of religion is promoted, economic opportunity grows, security increases, and people flourish. The United States is partnering to protect minority rights as a bulwark against increased religious intolerance. Pakistan has made progress with laws to protect transgender persons and restrict child marriage and trafficking in persons; however, they need to be put into action. We have provided millions of dollars to support training programs for law enforcement, the judiciary, and the legal community to build awareness about the laws that protect minority rights.” He commended the faith leaders, civil society and all political parties for upholding the values of religious freedom, inclusion, and diversity.
Ambassador Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui, Chairman of Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony (ICPH), moderated the conference. Addressing the guests, he said that the ICPH, with the support of Ulema-o-Mashaikh, has been playing an effective role to keep a check on the misuse of blasphemy law. He further added that Paigham-e-Pakistan rules out any form of terrorism and self-proclaimed acts of violent extremism in the name of religion. All the religious parties have agreed that forceful conversions could not be made, and all such incidents are being seen on case-to-case basis.
Ambassador Siddiqui explained that the Ulema had been playing an effective role in restraining underage marriages and coordination is being made in this regard between representatives of different religions, sects and the government. He added that the minorities living in Pakistan enjoy all rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the country and no organization or individual could force the minorities to change their religion. He suggested that the government must expedite the process of legislation for the Minorities and ensure the proper implementation of the law.
Ambassador Siddiqui shared his views that morality and human rights are an essential component of every religion and today’s conference would spread the message of unity, harmony and peace. He said the Pakistan government had taken many steps for creating interfaith harmony and such conferences promote patience, kindness, forgiveness and tolerance among the masses in a positive manner.
The Consul General of UAE in Karachi, His Excellency Bakheet Ateeq al Remeithi, also graced the occasion and appreciated the interfaith harmony created by all those present. The UAE has become the epitome of peace and tolerance where religious freedom and peaceful coexistence is at par, he said. Abrahamic House is a strong message of tolerance from UAE. Prophet Abraham is a revered prophet in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The unique religious landmark symbolizes the state of peaceful coexistence and human fraternity experienced by all communities living in the UAE, regardless of their nationalities, beliefs and religions. The new landmark will symbolize the state of coexistence and human fraternity experienced by people from various ethnicities, nationalities and beliefs in the UAE.
His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph Coutts Pakistani prelate of the Catholic Church and keynote speaker, lauded the event in these words: "We are very lucky to get the opportunity for disseminating love and peace. We observe the principles of mutual respect, we can avoid hurting people". The leaders of different beliefs and scholars should pay visits to places of worship of other beliefs to further promote social, cultural, and inter-faith harmony.
Anila Ali, President of American Muslim and Multifaith Women's Empowerment Council, said that it is not just the responsibility of religious leaders but all members of civil society to be involved in ensuring interfaith harmony. In the past, there have been incidents of religious hatred incited by politicians for electoral gains. Exhorting the need of nurturing a culture of accountability, both nationally and internationally, the AMWEC President said that criminal justice is necessary for bringing the people promoting religious hatred to the task. “Impunity for committing hate crimes should be demolished.”
At the conclusion of the event a declaration and pledge was signed by all religious scholars, civil society members, and attendees as a commitment that they will be active agents to promote interfaith harmony, love and respect among practitioners of various religious beliefs for the peaceful co-existence of mankind.
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