Promoting peace: ‘There is a need for religious tolerance’

Speakers say minorities in Pakistan should be protected

BAHAWALPUR: Speakers at a seminar held at the Islamia University Bahawalpur emphasised the need to promote tolerance in matters pertaining to religion. The seminar was organised on Monday in connection with the Narrative of Pakistan programme launched by the government. It was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the Higher Education Commission and the university.

Dr Kashif Mahmood, a representative of the federal government, said that when a person in religious affairs considers himself to be absolutely perfect and others as wrong, it leads to extremism. “Islamic Shariah emphasises the need to promote peace and a culture of self-respect for others. It never allows for extremism in religious affairs,” he said. He added that consultative meetings with 2,000 religious scholars were also held in connection with the narrative of Pakistan. Dr Mushahid Hussain, director of religious affairs, said that promoting interfaith harmony was the need of the hour.

“The white colour in our national flag represents minorities and it is our responsibility to provide security to their life and property. All schools of thought will have to focus on their personal religious principles instead of considering others as wrong,” he said.

The seminar was attended by academics and a large number of students.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2018.