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KARACHI, Jan 07 (APP):Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Khel Das Kohistani on Wednesday said that the solution to all the issues facing our society today lies solely in unity and harmony and the current government is taking practical steps in this regard.
He was addressing as a chief guest in the Conference on Interfaith Harmony & Strategy for mutual understanding between religions at Holy Trinity Cathedral Church.
Khel Das Kohistani said that our Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony led by Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, who is a senior politician and has previously served in this ministry. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is taking steps for welfare of minorities and promotion of interfaith harmony, he said.
He said that it is an honor for him to be present here in Sindh, which is also his province, and to see the esteemed scholars and representatives of different religions and faiths gathered here and he has had the opportunity to listen to everyone’s perspectives and ideas, and he has taken notes.
He said that we are striving and will ensure the protection of minorities’ rights and the promotion of tolerance and interfaith harmony. The government has also allocated annual funds to bring minorities into the mainstream, he said.
He was of the view that when there is unity among all religions, we will not need to hold such conferences. Understanding each other’s religions and their teachings will help us live with respect and dignity, he added.
He said that the current government and the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs fully support minorities in celebrating their festivals. The state stands on the principles laid down by Quaid-e-Azam three days before the 14th of August 1947.
He said that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Punjab Chief Minister and Sindh Chief Minister of have also celebrated minority festivals, sending the message to the world that we all stand with minorities and will protect their rights.
He said that no religion supports terrorism and such conferences should be held at the international level to tell the world how much Pakistan is striving to promote religious harmony.
He said that the world should see that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism, is living in peace, and is striving to promote peace. He said that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is today’s Ravan, whose arrogance has been shattered by our Pakistani armed forces.
Special Assistant to the Sindh Chief Minister, Dr. Sham Sunder Advani, said that we all live together in harmony and love in this Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam.
Every religion has its own beauty. Every child born is first a human being, and later adopts the religion of his family.
He said the vision of the Sindh government and Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is to promote interfaith harmony.
He said the religion of Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and all other religions also teach religious harmony. He said Sindh is the land of Sufis and those who love.
Bishop Frederick John said such programs are needed today, as the world needs to learn and teach how to live together and respect each other.
He thanked all institutions for providing security on the occasion of the religious festival of Christmas.
Speaking on the occasion, renowned religious scholar Dr. Jameel Rathore said we should promote religious harmony. Good people around the world prefer to promote tolerance, and the protection of human rights is an important part of Islamic teachings.
He said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first and foremost taught humanity and respect for humanity.
Regarding atrocities in Gaza, he said Jews protested on the streets against the atrocities in Gaza, and by protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, they showed that one person or one personality does not represent an entire religion.
Speaking on the occasion, renowned religious scholar Dr. Shabbir Hussain said that in Pakistan, along with the majority, there is importance and respect for minorities as well.
He said there is no compulsion in the religion of Islam. In Pakistan, if a Christian is attacked, we consider it an attack on ourselves. He said Islam is based on justice.
Speaking on the occasion, renowned religious scholar Mufti Muhammad Qasuri said this conference will send a positive message at the national and international levels.
He said all religions teach respect for every belief and teach tolerance. He said creating mischief or damaging anyone’s property is prohibited in Islamic teachings.
He said Islam teaches harmony and the principle of ‘live and let live’. Today, the opportunity for all of us to gather in a church for this conference and speak on interfaith harmony and tolerance; is itself an example of harmony, for which he congratulates the conference organizers.
Representative of Sikh Community, Sardar Ramesh said Pakistan demonstrated magnanimity and opened the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims with a big heart, but India has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed.
Now the Indian government should also open the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims, and India should also talk about peace.
He said holding such conferences is a good thing, as it sends the message that followers of all religions live together in Pakistan and have complete freedom.
Member of Sindh Assembly Dr. Mahesh Kumar said we need to educate our children about all religions.
He said we must certainly practice our own religion, but also respect the beliefs of others. We should try to learn about other religions, which will increase our understanding and enable us to better protect their rights and show respect for other religions.