ISLAMABAD Feb 9: Motamar Al-Alam Al-Islami (World Muslim Conference) is planning to hold an international conference in Islamabad in the next three months in an effort to “explain the Islamic world’s viewpoint on peace and terrorism”.
Raja Zafarul Haq, secretary-general of Motamar told Dawn on Friday that the objective of the conference would be to promote inter-state dialogue and to avoid the conflict of civilizations, enhance the role of minorities in Muslim countries, and vice versa.
He said prominent scholars from the Islamic world as well as from other religions would be invited.
Replying to a question whether the US-led war on terrorism could result into a war of civilizations, Motamar secretary- general said: “unfortunately it was taking a turn towards a conflict between civilizations and thereby posing a real threat to the world as well as to regional peace”.
He said that Muslims today required peace for their development and time for their survival.
To a query whether Motamar’s activity had not been minimized in recent years, specially in the aftermath Sept 11 he said, the organization was keeping a low profile.
Referring to the general view that the rulers of Muslim states were insensitive towards the whole issue, he said the Sept 11 events had brought with them tremendous pressure on Muslim governments, barring a few exceptions. Non could clearly spell out the feelings of the Muslims.
This impression, he further explained, had created a reaction against Muslim rulers, but I feel if we take a balanced view of history the present situation was a passing phase. But it would galvanize Muslim masses and bring them together.