KARACHI: Islam teaches us tolerance, humility, and humbleness and we can establish peace and harmony in our personal lives, society and the world by following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), scholars and speakers at the concluding day of the two-day International Seerat Conference 2020 said here on Sunday.

The conference was held at Professor Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium located at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Karachi University.

The theme of the conference was ‘Prophetic Teachings: Peace, Co-existence and Reconciliation’.

More than 40 research papers were presented during the two-day meeting.

Prof Dr Ioan Dura from Romania shared that he would return to his country with a lot of good memories and made many friends during a very short stay in Karachi.

International Seerat Conference at KU concludes

He said that he would like to invite KU faculty members in Romania so that the message of interfaith harmony could be spread easily.

Prof Dr Michal from Solovakia shared that he was touched with the warm welcome he and other foreign scholars received on the campus and observed that such dialogues and conferences were essential in strengthening interfaith harmony.

He also expressed that he had made a lot of new friends during the stay in Karachi.

Sahibzada Moazzam Qureshi, who is a member of the board of trustee of many mosques, religious institutions and schools in Pakistan and abroad, said “if we ponder a little, it becomes clear that life’s interdependence underlies all human activities of both groups; big or small; therefore we need to create unity to ensure peace in the world”.

He said the smallest unit is the family, which consists of parents and children and there exists high feelings of confidence and sense of service among them. “We must replicate the same practices at the society level so that we can treat each and every member with equality and respect. Such practices strengthen the society and result in an egalitarian system which becomes critical for the growth of the country.”

The coordinator of the ISC 2020, Dr M Akram Sharif said “today we live in technologically advanced world and even after World War II large-scale destructions, most of the technological advancement focuses on producing more and more sophisticated fatal weapons, and millions of human lives can be turned into ashes within minutes now.

“However, a part of technological advancement is sincerely engaged in minimizing diseases, ailments and health risks to these humans.”

He observed that researchers, scientists, and scholars from different parts of this planet, different religions and beliefs in the world of health and medicine, have over the past several decades discovered surprising remedies that have eliminated some grave diseases in human societies.

Dr Seema Manzoor from the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Studies, Karachi University, said that the social structure of society was designed on the basis of different elements and characteristics, which were unique in nature and every individual as a human, possessed a unique personality.

She mentioned that these human attributes were meant to lay the foundation of a society having ethical and moral values based on loyalty, sincerity, tolerance, peace, and harmony.

“Among these characteristics, tolerance is of prime importance, as today’s world, has become a smaller place due to globalization.

“People from different religions, backgrounds, and cultures bear different lifestyles, but they share some common socio-economic attributes, thus making the world more diverse and multi-cultural. Sharing common cultural characteristics establishes and fosters a more tolerance oriented and harmonious society.”

She said all religions promote tolerance and respecting every religion is the key for maintaining an equitable society.

“It should be considered basic right of every human to enjoy the freedom to worship according to their faith because this can lead to a society having fewer conflicts and battles.

“Islam teaches us all to enjoy religious freedom within the context of tolerance and peace. Islamic teaching is for us to practice rather than just praising it.”

Wing Commander Nasir Majeed from Pakistan observed that the principle underlying the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is co-existence.

“Islam teaches us tolerance, humanity, and humbleness to maintain peace and harmony in our life.”

He mentioned that history shows that under the Islamic rule the non-Muslim communities were allowed full protection and opportunity to thrive in life.

In today’s world, the growing unrest, and divisions along racial, ethnic and religious lines across the globe are sending alarm bells for human civilization.

“Even developed countries with socio-economic advancement have failed to sustain equitable societies that provide mutual respect and harmony among nations and different groups to coexist peacefully.

Humanity will soon realise that the principles presented by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) guarantee coexistence with justice and wisdom in this age of globalization and the future.”

Unfortunately, establishing peaceful coexistence has now become a challenge in the world and several Muslim countries are suffering from internal conflicts and resistance even among different sects, he added.

Acting KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said the University of Karachi’s initiative of organising the International Seerat Conference reflected its efforts for promoting peace on national and international levels.

“I assure you that this conference is in line with the policy of the government of Pakistan relating to sustainable domestic, regional and global peace.”

Prof Iraqi observed that the world does not need atomic or biological or chemical weapons, it needs joint efforts to fight against the social problems like poverty, hunger, illiteracy and injustice.

“We should have the ability to listen to other’s points of view as well as understand and accept them regardless we agree with them or not.”

He stressed that societies particularly youngsters should focus on getting knowledge and do not give up the learning process.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2020