UIPM launches ‘Say No to Religious Hatred’ to commemorate WIHW

Islamabad: As part of its celebrations for World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2018 of United Nations, Universal Interfaith Peace Mission (UIPM) announced a month long programme titled ‘Say No to Religious Hatred’ from January 27 till February 28, 2018.

Recognizing that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, UIPM Chairman Allama Dr GR Chishti announced the month-long programme at the National Press Club, Islamabad on Sunday in which he highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony for global peace and prosperity.

The WIHW is being celebrated by UIPM in collaboration with United Religious Initiative Multi-Cooperation Circle Islamabad, Common Word Pakistan and Haleema Welfare Trust. During the month-long programmes, UIPM in collaboration with Haleema Welfare Trust will hold free medical camps for members of minorities communities at Balmik Hindu Temple, Lalkurti, at a Christian church in Rawalpindi, and Faisal Colony, G-7/1 and Chashma Town. Apart from the medical camp, the UIPM delegation will also visit schools, colleges and universities across the country to teach the young generation the true essence of interfaith harmony and inculcate into them the knowledge of ‘Say No to Religious Hatred’. The month-long celebrations will conclude with an ‘Interfaith Mela’ on February 28.

Dr Chishti explained in detail as how extremist elements have flooded the world with literature containing abhorrence and hatred, and their so-called interpretations of religion are basic hurdles in way of interfaith harmony.

He said that all these ideas are widely spread into the masses not only in Pakistan but into the whole world as well, until these ideas are not cured, dispelled and removed, we do not think there can be any scope for interfaith harmony.

“However, there is only light to clear this all darkness and that is Common Word Movement and Amman Message started by King Abdullah II of Jordan. The documents of Amman’s Message and Common Word contain cure to the above mentioned diseases. This is the document that gave birth to “World Interfaith Harmony Week of UN”—we are celebrating. It would work if the world joins hands to impose these documents officially into the Muslim countries which are members of the UN.

Dr Chishti said that Universal Interfaith Peace Mission introduced the Common Word Movement in Pakistan in October 2008 and had requested Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony last year to make it part of the national educational curriculum so that culture of interfaith harmony may prevail.

UIPM Chairman pointed out that during the month long celebrations of WIHW the true essence of WIHW which was drafted by Prince Dr Ghazi bin Mohammad of Jordan and presented at the UN by King Abdullah II of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will be highlighted in true letter and spirit. It encompasses the message for the people around the world and wants to tell them that when pointless bloodshed in the name of religion is originating hysteria around the globe, it necessitates making intensive hard work to bring together faiths and cultures on a platform and for that goal interfaith harmony is the best possible solution.