UN urged to enact laws for interfaith tolerance

Karachi
A conference on interfaith accord titled ‘Deen Ka Husn, Aman, Bardasht Aur Sabr-o-Tahamul’ organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Tuesday urged the United Nations (UN) to enact laws compelling people to respect objects and symbols of every religion.
The conference largely
attended by representatives of various schools of thoughts and minority communities was presided over by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf.
The conference in its declaration observed that
everybody had to revere religions and their sacred objects to promote peace in the world.
The event was organised with a view that terrorism had emerged as a curse and the only way to defeat it was to make transparent and concerted efforts.
Among the many recommendations, the UN was asked to not link a specific religion with terrorism.
The participants also demanded of both the central and provincial governments to organise interfaith activities to ensure tranquillity and patience whereas local committees in this regard also be formed.
Religious leaders were suggested to visit each other’s worship places and invite them to understand their respective religions.
Yousuf while addressing the event claimed the government was making all out efforts to promote interfaith harmony. He opined that it was the duty of every citizen to play their due role for the cause.
He informed that the ministry had chalked out a programme under which it was organising interfaith conferences in all the four provinces.
Yousuf further stated that a Minority Commission had also been constituted in this regard.
Minister of State Pir Muhammad Amin-ul-Hassnat Shah while speaking on the occasion said a National Minority Council consisting representatives of all religions had also been set-up.
While responding to the demands and reservations of members of minority communities, Shah said that he held the government responsible for the solution of their problems.
He also claimed to establish a coordination of the ministry with the communities at every level.
Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Siddiq-ul-Farooq said issues measures to rederss problems being faced by the minorities were being taken.
Facilities such as water and electricity were being provided to Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Balochistan and work on several other Hindu temples in Lahore had also been started, he informed.
Earlier All Pakistan Hindu Punchayat Karachi General Secretary Ravi Dawani, Pakistan Sikh Council patron-in-chief Sardar Ramesh Singh, Karachi Parsi Anjuman Chairman Behram D Avari and Bahai community representative Riaz Ahmed Shirazi and others also spoke on the occasion.