WIHW: Creating understanding between different faiths, religions

Islamabad 

The celebrations of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) 2016 of United Nations concluded at the Modern Islamic Studies Centre (MISC), Islamabad, with concerted efforts to create understanding between different faiths and religions in different parts of the country. 

A Peace Prayer Day was held at the head office of Modern Islamic Studies Centre, Islamabad, on Friday which was attended by a large number of people from different faiths and religions. UC 21 (Sohan) Chairman Malik Amir Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion. 

While talking to this scribe, Dr Allama AGR Chishti at the concluding ceremony divulged details of the WIHW celebrated under the banner of Modern Islamic Studies Centre, Islamabad an affiliate organisation of Universal Interfaith Peace Mission, the award winning organisation of World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize organised by Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2015. He said that the journey is quite exciting and it all began with an interview of Pir Syed Sarwar Chishti, Sajada Nasheen of Ajmer Sharif, India, who at that time was in Pakistan in his weekly show where he had the chance to discuss with Pir Syed Sarwar Chishti about the interfaith harmony and role of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in its promotion. “Pir Syed Sarwar Chishti was of the view that the interfaith harmony is not a new phenomenon, as it was the path followed by Sufi saints of Indo-Pak subcontinent, as through this system they attracted attention of non-Muslims therefore it is responsibility of every Muslim to join this cause for betterment of Muslim Ummah,” he added. On February 1, a lecture on ‘Source Verse of Common Word 3/64’ was held after ‘Fajr’ prayers at Modern Islamic Studies Centre, Islamabad.

Speaking about his visits to Bahwalnagar from February 1-2 where besides attending a conference held at the Bahawalnagar Campus of Islamia University Bahawalpur, which was presided over by Director Campus, Dr Altaf Hussain Langrial he along with his delegation visited, Christian Church of Pakistan and a Balmik Hindu Temple in Bahawalnagar, as well as a local atheist tribe, Wanwari, in Cholistan desert, Dr AGR Chishti said that this tribe due to its poverty and different unpopular practices has been shunned by entire community of the area. “However, I along with my delegation got the opportunity to interact with them and apprised them of interfaith harmony as how it could change their lives,” he added. Dr AGR Chishti after describing them the importance of interfaith harmony assured them of his full cooperation and assistance in making their lives comfortable and making them better citizens of society. 

Whereas in Lahore, Dr AGR Chishti said on February 3 MISC delegation attended a conference titled ‘Muslim Christian Relations’ at FC College University, Lahore, which was presided over by Dr. Charles Ramsey, Assistant to Vice Chancellor and attended by followers of different faiths and organisations including Minhaj ul Quran and Quran Research Centre, Lahore. During the question hour, I got the opportunity to answer a query and tried to allay the misperceptions about revealed holy scriptures of past. “Later in the evening, Modern Islamic Study Centre delegation met Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Arch Bishop Rev. Amjad Niamat, Chaplan, United Christian Hospital, Father James Channan, Coordinator of United Religions Initiative of United Nations, Mufti Ashiq Hussain of New Century Quran Initiative, Lahore and a delegation from Sanjha Pakistan,” Dr Chishti added. 

On February 4, in his weekly show, Dr AGR Chishti apprised his audience about interfaith harmony in detail. On February 5 in his address at Bhagwari Jamia Masjid, Murree, Dr AGR Chishti delivered a sermon on interfaith harmony apprising the faithful about its importance in prevailing circumstances. 

On February 6, a breakfast was arranged for members of different faiths at Balmik Hindu Temple, Lalkurti, Rawalpindi. Hindu Panchayat Committee Rawalpindi President Om Prakash, Pandit Chana Lal and Modern Islamic Studies Centre President Dr AGR Chishti attended the breakfast with Hindus of the area. Hindu leaders praised MISC for holding such an event for interfaith harmony. 

Dr Chishti was of the view that his visit to Swat and its adjoining area, Besham, on February 6, was of great importance, as both areas had been plagued by terrorism in past, but now have returned to normalcy after military operations there. “We visited Tableeghi Centre and met Amir Tableeghi Jamaat Ahmad Khan. The elders of the Tableeghi Jamaat as well as tribal elders appreciated MISC’s gesture for visiting the centre and apprising them of interfaith harmony. They were of the view that the philosophy of interfaith harmony has become the need of the hour and could help society recover from the losses inflicted by religious intolerance and terrorism in past. They said Common Word Initiative, Amman Message and celebrations of WIHW can help bring long lasting peace in tribal areas,” Dr Chishti added. 

On return from Swat, Dr Chishti said the MISC delegation visited Serai Maria, District Shangla, Besham, and attended a conference on Interfaith Harmony organised by Serai Maria Nazim Amirzada Khan.  

He said that first week of February every year is the time to spread harmony and tolerance among followers of the three monotheistic faiths and all the world's religions.

The MISC president said that World Interfaith Harmony Week of UN (February 1-7) came about as a result of a UN resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony proposed in 2010 by King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan. It seeks to spread the message of harmony and tolerance among the followers of the three monotheistic faiths and all the world's religions. It also seeks to promote the common basis of "Love of God and Love of the Neighbour” among religions to safeguard world peace. Its message invites everyone, excludes no one, and is purely voluntary.