Bridge the gap for a more just World Order

Speakers call for a unified approach to foster better relations and peace.

ISLAMABAD:

Muslim rulers should work harder to promote the true image of Islam, which is peace, harmony and brotherhood. This was stated by Senator Mushahid Hussain, while addressing a conference titled “Pakistan, South Asia and Muslim societies” held at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) here on Tuesday. He praised Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for winning the first ever Oscar award for Pakistan, which would benefit in projecting a positive image of the country abroad.

IIUI Rector Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik presided over the opening ceremony in which university students from over 20 countries demonstrated their cultures by wearing traditional dresses on stage.

While speaking at the occasion, IIUI President Dr Mumtaz Ahmed said that such conferences would help bridge the ‘artificial’ gap between the Muslim world and the West to foster mutually cordial relations.

He added that the South Asian region is a treasure trove for any scholar - be it history, culture, religion, politics, the arts or economy.

“As we seek to unravel the problems of Pakistan, we learn that its past, present and future are intrinsically linked with that of its wider regions, both South Asia and West Asia,” he added.

“The impact of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror  cannot be ignored in any discussion on Islam and Pakistan,” Dr Ahmed said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2012.