Interfaith harmony termed vital for peace

People from different sects and religions have called for promoting interfaith harmony, peace and security in the country by having young people from different faiths come together and reinforce the idea of respecting and accepting each other’s religions and beliefs.

An NGO called Faces of Pakistan gathered youths belonging to different faiths in a local hotel in Lahore on Tuesday. Former provincial minister for human rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Dr Kalyan Singh Kalyan, Javed William and other religious representatives expressed their views on this event.

On one hand, protests and demonstrations are being led by political and religious parties in Pakistan against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, while on the other hand, youths belonging to different religions have decided to play an active role for inter-faith harmony in the country.

Speaking to the Express News, Muslim and Sikh participants said the most important thing for interfaith harmony was mutual respect between religious denominations and the acceptance of others. They further stated that interfaith harmony should be included in school curricula nationwide. The youth also said nobody should abandon their religion and beliefs, nor should they attack the religion and beliefs of others.

Ex-provincial human rights minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that after the sad incident of desecration of the Holy Quran took place in Sweden, peaceful protests were staged throughout Pakistan. He further said that people should not take illicit advantage of freedom of expression and that those freedoms should be used to promote peace, security and unity.

Faces of Pakistan head Javed William said that recent incidents like the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden are condemnable, as such religious incidents have harmed efforts to achieve religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Such provocative action cannot be allowed under the violation of freedom of expression.

The organisation and youths representing different religions issued a joint statement during the event, which aimed to promote peace and unity for economic development and mental development; to start an interfaith harmony training program in madrasas, schools, colleges and universities; to inform the public about the law of 295C by religious leaders and to provide guidance to all political and religious leaders to play a positive role in their communities.

The state must protect the rights of all religions and international organizations should play their role to promoting harmony. The establishment of a harmony council at the international level was suggested by the participants, as was starting an awareness campaign to change attitudes, promote the tradition of peaceful protest and include the steps taken regarding these events in educational curricula.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2023.