August 09, 2007	Thursday	Rajab 24, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: A visiting American academician says there is space for thinking and practising religion of one’s choice in the post-modernism era. “Post-modernism means to open up space for respect for all religions and not hatred for any,” said Dr Henry Ruf, Professor of Philosophy at the West Virginia University, in a lecture on post-modern interpretation of Abrahamic religions, at the International Islamic University.

Dr Ruf said living religions have differences but many similarities too and can co-exist in harmony.

A person can follow a specific belief, creed or way of life very strictly but that does not make him or her an enemy to the followers of other religions. “There are some meeting points in all religions of which ethics are supreme,” he said.

The scholar stressed the need for respecting the individuals and fight for the justice in the societies.

Ethics are core of all religions because every religion encounters something that is not justified as a whole. He further added that this way of life with respect to different religions can make people feel happy in diversity.

“Advocating harmony in societies, Dr Ruf said that “if a person is religious, we should respect him/her and should try to live with him/her with his/her points of views even we do not accept this. For example, if a person is a Christian, or a Jew or a Muslim, he/she can work for common cause of justice and respect for others”.

Dr Ruf said that this is the hallmark of all three Abrahamic religions as well as many other religions.

He appreciated International Islamic University, Islamabad’s Rector Dr Manzoor Ahmad for taking initiative of creating harmony among followers of different religions. He said that the university is bridging gaps among Muslims and other societies by arranging these lectures.

The university’s President, Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, Vice-President, Dr Khalifa Hassan and Director Da’wah Academy Prof Abdul Jabbar Shakir also spoke on the occasion. The lecture was largely attended by faculty members and students of the university.