WPCI aims at bridging differences, promoting tolerance

Islamabad : The World Peace Centre Islamabad (WPCI) has been established with the objective to work on spreading tolerance in the world to help resolve some of the “severe and extreme” human crises the world is facing today, says a press release.

The centre inaugurated by Ambassador of the European Union in Pakistan Jean Francois Cautain on the side-lines of the World Interfaith Harmony Week Conference, in Islamabad will take on research projects and prepare review literature on peace and tolerance and allay the differences between Muslims, Christians and Jews particularly the conflict of Jerusalem and superstitions about the end of world.

WPIC Director Dr Allama GR Chishti, who is also the chairman of Universal Interfaith Peace Mission, was of the view that more than 2/3 of the world religious population follows three monotheistic religions and these three religions control the world. Until and unless the followers of these three religions including Jews, Muslims and Christianity live in peace there is no question of peace in the world.

The conflict between the followers of three monotheistic religions is heading the world towards a clash of civilization therefore this centre has been established to take on research projects to make the world a peaceful place of living.

Dr Chishti suggested that the Jerusalem, which is already a world heritage site and its control should be given to a world body where followers of all monotheistic religions including Jews, Muslims and Christians should have freedom to visit. “The centre will also launch a research project to eradicate all such material from religious literature which pitches followers of one religion against another. The centre also plans to conduct research on the superstitions about the end of world because these superstitions in literature of the three monotheistic religions always lead to clash between their followers.

The centre will also produce proposals and plans on spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence, and happiness across human societies. In light of this new initiative, he said that only successful pluralism supported by useful research and positive dialogue can guarantee a peaceful future in the world.

“We are completely ready to share our positive experience of tolerance and to gain from others wider understanding of the universal power of tolerance,” he added. Dr Chishti was of the view that within faith communities, we still have so much work to do to connect and talk to one other and work together. There is more urgency now to lead and join in solving common problems and protect the world from complete annihilation, he concluded.