Leaders urge interfaith harmony and tolerance

Zardari, Shehbaz call for minority protection

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called for greater religious tolerance, interfaith harmony and the protection of minority rights, urging Pakistanis to reject prejudice, discrimination, hatred and violence.

In separate messages ahead of the International Day for Tolerance, observed on November 16, they stressed the importance of equal citizenship, peaceful coexistence and safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs, cultural backgrounds or opinions.

President Zardari called upon all Pakistanis to help build a society where every person could live with dignity, practise their faith without fear and express a different opinion without facing hatred or violence.

In his message on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, the president said, "Our strength as a nation lies in our ability to live together with respect, united by our shared citizenship and our hopes for Pakistan."

"Islam teaches compassion, justice and respect for human dignity. These values also find clear expression in the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In his historic address of 11 August 1947, he declared: We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State," he added.

"Article 25(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan gives this principle an unequivocal guarantee: All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. These words must guide the conduct of every public institution and be reflected in the daily experience of every citizen."

He said Pakistan belonged equally to all its people. "Our non-Muslim citizens have helped build this country through their service in education, healthcare, public life, the armed forces and countless other fields.

Their place in Pakistan rests on equal citizenship."

He stressed that every child must feel safe in the classroom, every family secure in its neighbourhood and every worshipper protected in a place of worship. Equal citizenship must be a lived reality for every Pakistani, he added.

In his message on the International Day for Tolerance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, "On the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, Pakistan joins the international community in reaffirming its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and the protection of human dignity. The true essence of tolerance lies in respecting the beliefs, convictions and rights of others, even in the face of differences."

"Islamic teachings provide an enduring guiding light for patience, tolerance, compassion, justice and respect for humanity. The exemplary life and perfect Uswa-e-Hasana of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) provide a timeless model of patience, forbearance and kindness towards others," he said.

"The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees dignity, protection, equal opportunities and equality before the law to all citizens, without discrimination on the basis of colour, religion or creed," he remarked.