Interfaith harmony: Spread love in times of bloodshed, say speakers

Interfaith dialogue pointed out commonalities between religions.


Our Correspondent February 05, 2014
Interfaith harmony - Spread love in times of bloodshed, say speakers. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


People have the right to adopt whatever religion or ideology they belong to, but criticising others and taking an extremist approach is unacceptable and leads to more bloodshed.


This was among the arguments presented at an interfaith dialogue, where speakers urged the government and the public to get together based on commonalities in all religions instead of focusing on their differences.

The dialogue was organised by the Universal Interfaith Peace Mission and United Religion Initiative at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Unlike the routine opening of ceremonies, the event started with verses from the Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Kitab-e-Aqdas and the Bible, all of which offered messages of peace and love.

Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said a dialogue for harmony was a much-needed initiative in times of disharmony and internal conflicts.

Some people are creating rifts and unrest in the society in the garb of religion-such people should be condemned, stated Yousaf.

He concluded on the note that the government was trying its best to clear the air of mistrust, the primary harbinger of which is education.

Malik Amjid Hussain Alvi, a member of Amnesty International Pakistan, said, “Recently a church was to be constructed in Sector G-7, but a large mob gathered and protested the development.”

“They should not feel so insecure, what with the hundreds of mosques in the capital,” he commented.

Senator Afrasiab Khattak said such problems surface when a rival religion or ideology is looked down upon, and take an extreme form when someone takes the responsibility of completely eradicating another religious group.

“Its simple — do not poke your nose in other people’s business and accept diversity in society,” said Khattak.

Dr Allama Chishti was of the view that the purpose of religions was to spread peace and love, but differences in scriptures and ideologies have become a cause for bloodshed and war.

He questioned the prevalent perception that the west is responsible for all ills in the society.

“We are also responsible for whatever we are harvesting today,” he said.

Supreme Court Advocate Kokab Iqbal said most principles in all religions were similar and differences were man-made.

“I went to the Golden Temple and it turned out that its foundation stone was laid by the famous Sufi saint of Lahore, Mian Mir.  There is a dire need to spread the message of Sufis and avoid the ignorance of ‘mullahism’,” he remarked.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2014.

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