Speakers highlight role of cultural empathy

Conference on national integration, cultural assimilation concludes

ISLAMABAD:

Speakers have said that cultural empathy, tolerance and social cohesion were some of the important themes that were declared imperative factors in ensuring peaceful coexistence.

They were speaking at a two-day conference on “National Integration and Cultural Assimilation” concluded at the PNCA.

The conference was organised by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, the National Institute of Pakistan Studies (NIPS) and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad. The institutes had collaborated with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the National Heritage & Culture Division, the Army Heritage Foundation, Centre of Policy Analysis and Development and Paigham-e-Pakistan.

Notable names at the event included Federal Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal Khan as chief guest, who emphasised that with the presence of a plethora of ethnicities, cultures, languages and religions in the country, being a Pakistani is the common and unifying identity of the entire populace.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi in his address as the guest of honour said that respecting cultural diversity is crucial for ensuring assimilation and integration.

Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Dr Muhammad Yousuf Khushk presented a seven-point resolution of the conference, asserting that the economic fallout of not addressing the cultural aspect of society could be disastrous. Hence, averting cultural tensions is urgent and necessary for peace, stability, and development of the world.

Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Dr Qibla Ayaz said that the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University has launched Paigham-e-Pakistan, a decree issued unanimously by 1,829 Muftis and religious scholars of all schools of thought condemning sectarianism, extremism and terrorism while simultaneously declaring the supporters of suicide bombing as traitors.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2021.