KARACHI, July 5: The freedom of religion is one of the founding values of the United States and the American culture. This was stated by the outgoing US consul-general in Karachi, Douglas C.Rohn. He was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin, vice-chairman of Jamia Islamia, Clifton at a local hotel on Tuesday.

The US consul-general pointed out that the freedom of religion remained the basic tenet of the American system and enshrined in the American laws and constitution.

He said that a number of immigrants hailed from Muslim countries.

Mr Rohn said that the number of Muslims in the United States now was around seven million and that Islam was the second largest religion in the USA.

The consul-general thanked Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin for arranging the hearty send-off in his honour.

He said that we had an enduring and growing relationship over the years that had provided us with a window to better understand the Muslim thought and establish goodwill and trust between the two countries.

A clear manifestation is this gathering of leading clerics who seek to move ahead toward our common goal of ushering peace and harmony among mankind at large, added Mr Rohn.

The consul-general said that many people in the US were learning about Islam. There are mosques all over the United States.

He stressed the need of mutual dialogues to remove misconceptions.

Earlier, in their speeches a number of religious scholars said that Islam was a religion of peace and goodwill.

They said that the ulema’s message was of peace and betterment of the humanity and if someone viewed this in a wrong manner than it was his fault and not of the ulema.—APP