To cope with sectarianism and intolerance, five important sections of society from Islamabad-Rawalpindi have developed consensus for joint struggle.
A consultation program was organized under the banner of “Peace & Education Institute”, professionals from education sector, prayer leaders, religious scholars, human rights and professional associated to media work for sectarian harmony across the board. Kamaluddin Tepu of National Counter Terrorism Authority, Head of Islamics, Haripur University Dr. Abdul Maheman, Chairman Peace and Education Institute, Roshad Bukhari and Critical Connection of Malka Samdani spoke on the occasion.
Addressing on the occasion, speakers stressed that society can progress through education, literature, initiatives for mutual coexistence and respect humanism. They said, we should work together to develop such values.
All five representative sections were divided into five groups and given a task to identify ways for religious harmony. The groups worked constantly for seven months to accomplish the assigned tasks and presented their reports with commendable success.
Group related to education sector conducted workshops in universities, colleges, madrasas and school of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. The group imparted training’s to over 200 individuals who may take initiatives to create environs of social equality. Prayers leaders organized sessions on various topics, in which religious scholars and students of all sects participated and agreed to work on commonalities.
The human rights group was consisted of lawyers and human rights activists. The group produced documentary film which featured motives of violence in our society.
The group related to media presented a theater play, which focused ways to build religious harmony. Media group contributed over 50 articles on various topics that published in newspapers and magazines. Youth were imparted training’s about writing blogs to eliminate the menace of sectarianism from society.
Kamaluddin Tepu of National Counter Terrorism said, the menace of sectarianism can’t eliminated completely, differences remain exist but ways can be developed for peaceful mutual coexistence. He said, in subcontinent the element of tolerance and humanism is attributed to Quaid-e-Azam, Bacha Khan and Gandhi Je. He said, terrorism has nothing to do with madrasas, if a single student is found involving in a subversive activity then certain sections society demand for the closure of madrasas which is highly unjust. He further said, if a student from a university is caught in the act of terror, no pressure is built to shut the said institution. He said, the seminary instructions play a vital role which governments have failed to perform.
The initiative against sectarianism and religious harmony was taken in collaboration with institute of peace and education, critical connection and Corona center for peace building.
