KARACHI: Dialogue urged to promote true image of Islam
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, April 10: Scholars participating in an international workshop stressed the need for creating a knowledge-based society for promoting peace by administering justice and humanitarian values while recognising the identity of different cultures.
Some of the participants were also of the view that there should be more dialogue to promote better understanding and appreciation of Islam and Muslims in the West and thought that unilateralism was not the way for peace and stability.
The workshop on “Peace through cultures of peace” was organized jointly by the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi, and Hanns Seidel Foundation, on Monday.
Prof Wolfgang Dietrich, the keynote speaker dwelt with the moral and energetic aspects of peace culture.
He contended that throughout the history of mankind it has been proved that peace was the key to development and progress. However, due to some reasons peaceful culture could not be developed in this part of the world.
He nevertheless recalled the white man’s diseases and said many of the problems of the 20th and the present century were due to this attitude of European over the centuries.
Prof Dr Syed Sikander Mehdi, the workshop coordinator, talking on “Culture of peace: Idea and movement” said the lack of knowledge was the cause of many misconceptions about the world affairs.
He said generally it was being thought that Muslim countries were facing attacks, occupations and other atrocities because of their religion.
He said though it was true that Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir, Palestine and other Muslim countries were presently under siege, it was not a complete picture.
Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi, Dr Akhlaque Ahmed said that due to lack of proper communication the West had failed to understand Islam, which was the religion of peace. He said that it was dire need to convey true message of Islam to the West. He said that for this purpose an extensive dialogue and continued communication was necessary.
David Taylor of the Aga Khan University said that violence was not the solution as he talked about the various flashpoints in the world, including Palestine, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia.
He emphasized the significance of Truth and Reconciliation tribunal in South Africa and its role in promoting the culture of peace and mutual accommodation. He was of the view that if there was more room for economic and social growth, people would be willing to engage in peace and reconciliation process. He also talked about the Irish experience of Britain.
Professor Terrence Duffy speaking on “Peace museums and creating a culture of peace: The public dissemination of peace concepts in the modern civil society” said that peace museums had a relatively short history - barely a hundred years
Dr Mutahir Ahmed spoke on promoting peace and ethnic harmony in multi-ethnic society: a study of Pakistan and Malaysia drew a parallel between Pakistan and Malaysia as both are multi-ethnic and multi-racial state.
In Pakistan, the state has outranked the creation of nation, rather than nation preceding the creation of state. Islam (as a political and ideological force) was the so-called binding force which united Eastern and Western parts.
Against this background, the strong need of promoting peace and ethnic harmony in both countries is necessary.
In conclusion, he said that both countries are multi-ethnic, but Malaysia has passed the initial stage of nation building. The country has 11 party-based elections having no role of military establishment. On the contrary, situation in Pakistan is just opposite to it. Thus, peace and ethnic harmony in Pakistan is extremely difficult if one can compare with Malaysia.
During the open discussion, participants pointed out that just establishing peace museums was not enough. They said that the incidents of Gurajat genocide and Kashmir killings showed that India had failed to learn any lesson from Gandhi museums of non-violence.
Professor Wolfgang Dietrich, to a question about cartoon controversy, said it was an example of worst irresponsibility and provocation.
He said that the West had enough knowledge about Islam and its Prophet, but still some sections of its media chose to be irresponsible.
He said that the issue of the religion of people of Turkey was also one of the factors affecting its entry into the European Union.
