A discussion for promotion of interfaith harmony and co-existence in the light of Paigham e Pakistan between International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) high ups and delegation comprising of British Members of Parliament and National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) was held here on Wednesday at new campus of the university.
The participants agreed that Paigham e Pakistan narrative was a true omen of tolerance, , justice, equality and protection of rights. They opined that peaceful co-existence was imperative to be promoted and Islam’s true message of peace be promoted across the world.
The discussion session was attended by Lord David Alton, Member House of Lords, UK, Jim Shnanon, Member House of Commons, UK, Marie Rimmer, Member House of Commons, UK, Professor Javaid Rehman, Brunel University, London and UN special Rapporteur, Councilor Morris Johns, APPG for Pakistan Minorities, Amro Hussain, APPG for religious Freedom of Belief, Justice Retd Ali Nawaz Chohan, Chairman NCHR, Fazila Alliani, Member Baluchistan NCHR, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai , Rector IIUI, Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, President IIUI, Vice Presidents of the university, Director Generals, Deans and senior faculty members.
Lord David said that world must combat the giant of ignorance and attitudes such as prejudice be discouraged across the globe. He hailed university for the initiative of Paigham e Pakistan and appreciated suggestions made through this narrative such as inclusion of the subjects of interfaith harmony and tolerance in curriculum.
Jim shanon told about the representation of Muslims and Pakistanis in the British Parliament and administration. He also highlighted the aspects relevant to the topic such as opportunities to further promote inter-faith harmony, mutual respect and tolerance.
Marie Rimmer said that social media can be utilized as constructive tool in the societies and this can further be used for dissemination of mutual cooperation in peace and tranquility.
Justice (R) Ali Nawaz Chohan maintained that Islam was misunderstood and Muslims would have to devise a well prepared strategy to let the world know about its actual message. He reminisced his students life at IIUI and said he was happy that his alma mater was playing key role in promotion of peace and Islam’s true message of peaceful co-existence.
“Islam is all about hugging not pushing, Islamophobia was due to stereotypes and misrepresentation of facts against Islam” said IIUI Rector. He added that Islam is staunch supporter of human rights, equal opportunities to all including Muslims and non-Muslims. He said that Islam asks for dialogues, tolerance, mutual respect and this must be disseminated to all the nations. Informing about the university, he apprised the delegation that IIUI has a vision to give special opportunities to female students and a separate campus for them was built and all the students were imbedded with the Islamic charterer so that they let the world know that minds nurtured as per Islamic values can bring balanced and harmonious personalities.
Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh said that Islam has nothing to do with rigidity, violence, extremism and hatred as it was religion of love for humanity. He added that universities of Muslim world and west could play a vital role in promotion of peace through mutual cooperation. He reiterated his resolve that IIUI would keep disseminating Islam’s message of peace and its true image of dialogue and peaceful co-existence.
Dr. Farkhanda Zia, Vice President Female Campus and member of the Council of Islamic Ideology also spoke on the occasion and apprised about the varsity’s initiative of ‘Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan’. She told that the initiative was focused on the role of women in bringing up children and nurture minds in a way that they may form an inclusive society to fight extremism collectively.
Earlier, the delegation also watched introductory documentary and were briefed by the Rector IIUI about its various faculties.