ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday awarded International Peace Award to Ambassador of European Union (EU) to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara in recognition of her services for the cause of interfaith harmony.

She received the award during the International Interfaith Peace Conference in Islamabad which was organised by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Harmony and Majlis Ulema-e-Pakistan and attended by representatives of various religions.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to receive today this international peace award from the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi at the excellent International Interfaith Peace Conference which was convened by Maulana Azad of Badshahi Mosque and the President of Pakistan,” wrote Ms Kaminara on her official Twitter handle after receiving the award. She has also posted an image of the shield which she had received from the president earlier in the day.

Speaking at the conference, Ms Kaminara had said that interfaith harmony was needed for the world’s future and required a constant struggle by nations.

She mentioned that the EU Charter and the UN convention, of which Pakistan is a signatory, stressed freedom of religion.

Addressing the participants of the conference titled ‘Respect of humanity and its importance’, President Alvi declared that the interfaith harmony was the need of the hour and said Pakistan was promoting the message of tolerance and affinity among people of different faiths to make the world a peaceful place to live.

The president mentioned that several challenges such as global warming and environmental degradation required no religious intent, but a joint action to save the world and mankind.

Grand Imam Badshahi Mosque and Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad also spoke at the conference.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021