Moot ends with message of peace

LAHORE

A three-day international conference on ‘Shunning Sectarianism and Promoting Interfaith Harmony for Peaceful Coexistence’ concluded at Lahore College for Women University with a strong message of love and peace.

On the closing day, speakers threw light how Sufi poets highlighted the message of respect to the mankind and peace through their poetry. Justice (r) Nasira Javed, Iranian Cultural Centre Lahore DG Agha Akbar Barkhurdari, Dr Nasir from Punjab University and LCWU Vice-Chancellor Dr Uzma Qureashi were among the speakers.

Speakers urged the followers of world religions to work hand in hand for global peace and expressed that Jalalud’din Rumi, one of the world’s most revered mystical poets, produced a prolific range of inspiring and devotional poetry.

Speakers said, "Although Rumi was a Sufi and a great scholar of the Qu’ran, his appeal reaches across religious and social divisions.

Even during his lifetime he was noted for his cosmopolitan outlook. His funeral, which lasted for 40 days, was attended by Muslims, Jews, Persians, Christians and Greeks."

The LCWU VC said that this conference was the platform to find out root causes and appropriate solutions for creating peace and social harmony, providing the opportunity to design an action plan through participation of experts in different areas. She said that it was the duty of every individual to look at the teachings of their on religion, which put emphasis on respect for humanity. 

She said that Ameer Khusro and Maulana Rumi changed the attitude of world around them through their poetry. Sufi dance is the symbol of acceptance and respect for others, she said.

She added that those who attack churches, mosques and temples were the enemies of Pakistan and humanity.