University of Peshawar. PHOTO: FILE
The international conference, arranged at the Bara Gali Summer Campus of University of Peshawar, was attended by 300 delegates. They included university teachers and scholars from the country and abroad.
Intellectuals belonging to different religious communities discussed the importance of tolerance in both the public and political spheres. The three-day event was titled ‘Inter faith Harmony-Principles of Disagreement in Islam’ and was arranged by the Department of Islamic Studies at the varsity in collaboration with Iqbal Institute for Research and Dialogue.
UoP Vice Chancellor Professor Rasul Jan was chief guest of the inaugural session. International Islamic University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Masoom Yasinzai was the keynote speaker on the first day, while former UoP vice chancellor Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz was among those who spoke to the audience.
The delegates underlined the need to reduce the gap between religious institutions and their scholars. They believed this would narrow differences and promote a culture of respecting each other.
“Islam is a religion of peace, which not only preaches love among humans, but also expects the same treatment to be extended to all living beings,” Jan said in his address. He added intolerance should not be allowed to thrive and people must teach their children about peace and acceptance of diversity.
The VC lauded the efforts of organisers and participants for taking part in the interfaith discourse.He urged the varsity’s teachers to play their part in curbing religious intolerance in the country and nip terrorism in the bud.
UoP Islamic and Oriental Studies Faculty Dean Professor Dr Miajul Islam Zia, who was the organiser of the workshop, said differences among various sects are self-presumed and should not instigate hatred.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2016.
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