ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony will organize an ‘Interfaith Harmony Conference’ on 30 August (Wednesday) to bring together faith leaders and representatives from various religious communities to discuss pressing matters related to attacks on religious sites, desecration of holy scriptures, and the safety of minorities.
Chairing by Minister Aneeq Ahmed, the seminar would promote cooperation and unity among different religious groups besides providing a platform for open dialogue and collaboration on topics important for fostering interfaith harmony. The participants would include representatives from both Muslim and Christian communities, demonstrating their mutual commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with the executive members of the International Interfaith Harmony Council (IIHC), President Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi underlined the recent attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala and described it as a deliberate attempt by external forces to tarnish Pakistan’s image on the world stage.
He stressed that the initial probe pointed towards the involvement of elements from India, alleging a strategic step to divert world attention from the plight of minorities in India.
Ashrafi, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), further detailed a larger scheme involving planned incidents in Sialkot and Sargodha, alluding to the successful prevention of these attempts by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies.
He stressed on the solidarity between the Muslim and Christian communities in Pakistan, noting their mutual commitment to thwarting divisive agendas.
Appreciating the Danish government’s recent legislation against the burning of the Holy Quran, Ashrafi highlighted the Christian community’s respect for the holy scripture. He underlined the Holy Quran’s role in providing insights into the lives of Prophet Jesus and Hazrat Maryam, further promoting shared understanding between the two religions.
Ashrafi Emphasizes Interfaith Harmony
He emphasized that Pakistan belonged to both Muslims and Christians alike, urging people to refrain from seeking collective retribution for individual wrongdoings, thereby promoting a sense of coexistence, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
