ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for interfaith and intrafaith harmony, and said educational institutions could play a key role in social cohesion.

University of Baltistan, Skardu, arranged the seminar on “Unity in diversity, national integration and social cohesion through interfaith harmony and dialogue” in Islamabad on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri stressed the importance of social and religious harmony. He spoke about initiatives of the government to ensure a just and tolerant society.

Senator Krishna Kumari said Pakistan is home for all regardless of their caste, creed and religious affiliations.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said a single national curriculum, which was going to be introduced from the next year, would be a balanced curriculum aimed at inculcating social and religious harmony among the people.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan appreciated the efforts of the university for providing a platform to discuss national cohesion and interfaith harmony. He said diversity is our strength and together we make a difference.

Archbishop Joseph Arshad, Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters, Father Gulshan Barkat, Maulana Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, General M. Samrez Salik, Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Prof Dr Qibla Ayaz, Islamic Research Institute Director General Prof Dr Ziaul Haque, Prof Khawaja Meherdad, Prof Dr Sarah Safdar and Raja Shafqat Abbasi Advocate were the speakers.

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) VC Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum, International Islamic University (IIUI) Rector Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai and Prof Dr Sara H. Safdar chaired various sessions.

Earlier, University of Baltistan Skardu Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan briefed the participants about the importance and purpose of the seminar.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2020