LAHORE: Extremist narrative and religious intolerance are major threats to the peace and harmony of today’s world, said speakers at a conference.

The three-day conference on “Building bridges: discovering the foundations for inter-religious harmony” concluded here on Wednesday.

The event was organised by the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in collaboration with Intersections International, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs of Georgetown University, USA.

Some 60 scholars, academicians, intellectuals and diplomats associated with US-Pakistan Inter-religious Consortium participated in the conference.

The participants recommended that similarities, not differences, of religions needed to be highlighted by religious scholars and citizens must think, discuss and write on these themes.

“The political leadership of Pakistan and the US by setting aside their diplomatic differences should establish a conducive environment for adherents of all faiths. The best solution to rising Islamphobia and xenophobia will be when the political leaderships show their willingness and commitment in making the policies that connect humanity regardless of religion, caste, colour, geography and ethnicity. There is no clash of civilisations rather it is the clash between empires that try to seize power from weaker nations and grab their resources. Islam is the religion of peace and it does not allow any kind of militancy and aggression against followers of other faiths. Islam is no hurdle in a modern democratic society. It encourages an egalitarian and multi-religious society and provides full protection to people of other religions,” reads a statement issued by the organisers.

Bob Chase, Dr Brian Muzes, Rabbi Simkha Weintruab, Rabbi Robert Firestone, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, Dr Zahid Bukhari, Prof. Dr John Esposito and Rector UMT Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad were among the participants.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017