ISLAMABAD: A project on the role of minorities was launched at the Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), during an international conference on inter-faith dialogue and national cohesion.

The participants recognised the importance of inter-religious and intra-faith dialogue as a tool for peace building and development in Pakistan.

Saiban-i-Pakistan, a declaration of 22 points, has been jointly drafted by Paigham-i-Pakistan Centre for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies of IRI and the Council of Islamic Ideology, government of Pakistan.

Paigham-i-Pakistan was a Fatwa and joint declaration passed by 31 prominent Ulema on May 26, 2017. The declaration containing 22 points was transformed into a book (Urdu and English).

The book addresses important issues of peaceful co-existence and tolerance from an Islamic perspective.

The participants of the conference agreed that the Constitution of Pakistan is the guarantor of the rights of minorities. They said educational institutions must play a role to create awareness of minorities’ rights.

It was noted that society needs an atmosphere of unity, mutual respect and patience. They said latest tools such as social media must be used to aware the masses of rights of minorities and dissemination of peace.

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said the government had been a staunch supporter of protection of minority rights. He said since the PTI government was pursuing the model of the state of Madina, maintaining peace, discouraging violence and promoting interfaith harmony were the leading objectives of the ruling party. He said the lower house will soon witness a debate on promotion of peace and rights of minorities.

The speaker added that culture of dialogue was a salient feature of a sound society and universities can play a vital role in this regard.

Altay Abibullayev, Chairman Board of Nazarbayev Centre for Development of Interfaith and Inter-Civilisational Dialogue, said dialogue was the key to maintain global peace. He said youth were the most meaningful source for promoting dialogue and peace. He also highlighted importance of ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, adding Feb 24 was the day when Pakistan and Kazakhstan had commenced bilateral ties officially.

IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai stressed the need for imparting modern education based on critical thinking and characterisation integrated with the blend of Islamic character. He said there was no place for terrorism in Islam and that IIUI took the responsibility to provide a narrative to the nation to remain clear about Islam, its teachings and dissemination of message of peace.

IIUI President Dr Yousif Al Draiweesh said Islam was the only religion which gives complete rights to minorities. He called upon the Muslim societies to practice and provide the rights to minorities granted by Islam.

IRI Director General Dr Ziaul Haq said the latest initiative was the continuity of Paigham-i-Pakistan programme.

Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar stressed on interfaith harmony.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2020