‘Practising true teachings of Islam can help combat Islamophobia’

Islamabad:The Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority organised a national conference against Islamophobia in Islamabad to mark World Islamophobia Day.

The event brought together key figures, including Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Chairman of the Authority Khurshid Nadeem, Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar, and other prominent speakers, to discuss strategies for addressing Islamophobia and self-accountability within Muslim societies.

Addressing the conference, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal questioned the state of the Muslim world, emphasising the need for introspection rather than blaming external forces. He pointed out that despite a population of 2.5 billion, Muslims have been unable to counter global challenges effectively, while much smaller nations exert significant influence.

He urged the audience to reflect on societal flaws, citing issues such as corruption, fraud, and misgovernance, which he argued are self-inflicted rather than imposed by external powers. Recalling his own experience as a victim of an assassination attempt carried out in the name of religion, he highlighted the dangers of misinterpreting Islam.

Chairman of the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority, Khurshid Nadeem, stressed that knowledge and positive actions are the most effective tools against Islamophobia.

He announced the launch of Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Youth Clubs across Pakistan, along with special clubs for religious minorities, to foster interfaith harmony and engage youth in constructive activities.

Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar underscored the importance of self-reflection, urging Muslims to evaluate whether their daily lives align with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). She expressed confidence that the initiatives led by the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority would contribute positively to society.

Speakers at the conference also noted that even the United Nations has recognised Muslim concerns regarding the distortion of Islam’s teachings by anti-Islam elements. The event concluded with strong condemnation of the Jafarabad Express train attack, with calls for decisive action against terrorism in the country.