‘Common Word Programme’ true message of peace, interfaith harmony: Sardar Yousaf

Islamabad
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday underlined the need for making collective efforts to promote peace love and brotherhood in society.
Addressing `Interfaith Peace Conference' organised by Universal Interfaith Peace Mission, he said the government merged the Religious Ministry with Interfaith Harmony as part of efforts to promote interfaith harmony and know about each other s cultural heritage and religion. He said Islam is a religion of peace and promoted peaceful co existence adding focus should be shifted on character building instead of paying lip service in interfaith harmony related moots and seminars. He said his ministry was open to all suggestions for promotion of interfaith harmony and urged the participants to forward their input to impetus to the interfaith harmony efforts in the country.
He lauded the initiative of 'Common Word Programme' by Universal Interfaith Peace Mission and appreciated UIPM Chairman Dr Allama Abul Fateh GR Chishti and extended all out government support to the programme for spreading its message in every nook and corner of the country saying it is the true message of peace and interfaith harmony.
All Pakistan Newspapers Hawkers Federation Secretary General Tikka Khan was the guest of honour while members of minorities communities attended the conference in large numbers.
During the conference, UIPM Chief Coordinator Dr Tahir Hassan administered oath to the members of `Universal Interfaith Peace Mission', at the official adoption of 'Common Word Programme' as an essential part of its intrinsic features in Pakistan. The people who took oath pledged that they despite belonging from different religions and cultures as members of Universal Interfaith Peace Mission confess and proclaim that they will never leave any stone unturned to establish love and peace among the followers of all religions of the world and to end religiously motivated violence by spreading the message of 'Common Word Programme'. They prayed to Almighty Allah to help them in fulfilling this message.
The Interfaith Peace Conference was also organised to mark the 8th anniversary of 'A Common Word Movement, an initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah Son of Al-Husein of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon, which is headed and led by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad bin Talal.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Universal Interfaith Peace Mission Chairman Dr Allama Abul Fateh GR Chishti said that 'Common Word Programme' in Pakistan is in continuation of teachings of 'A Common Word Movement'. He said that the movement launched by His Majesty King Abdullah and His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad bin Talal tried to find a common ground between Muslims and Christians, which was not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders.
He said that 'The Common Word Movement' is based on the Universal invitation of the Holy Quran to all especially Abrahamic religions to get together where we all are common. So this movement is common ground for all religions to live in peace, harmony and calm despite differences, focusing only on commonalities.
"Looking at the overall situation, Universal Interfaith Peace Mission joined the 'A Common Word Movement' as well as Message of Amman, which it believes is remedy to the menace of sectarianism in our religion," Allama Chishti said adding like 'A Common Word Movement', 'Common Word Programme' in Pakistan is also a common ground for all religions as well as for all sects of Islam to live together with peace and tranquillity. "This I believe is the way to get rid of the opportunistic elements and misinterpretations of Islamic teachings so we invite our fellow beings to join this movement as who-ever joins us will help us make Pakistan a more peace loving and harmonious nation," he added.
Allama Chishti said that the 'Common Word Programme' can also help us change the mindset of Ulema and Mashaikh and their preconceived ideology of Islam.
During the Conference the Message from Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal, Chief Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for Religious and Cultural Affairs was read to the audiences. In his message to Dr Allama G R Chishti, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal said that he was pleased to learn about the celebration of 'A Common Word' initiative's eighth anniversary.
"I am very pleased to write to you as you prepare to celebrate the A Common Word initiative's eighth anniversary. At a time when voices for division and strife are so loud, I commend Your Excellency and the Universal Interfaith Peace Mission for lending your voices to the causes of interfaith dialogue and interfaith harmony. I look forward to hearing good news of your future efforts," Prince Ghazi added.