Speakers at the one day conference urged the need for noninterference of religion in the state affairs for long-term societal development. The one day seminar entitled, “ state religion and society was organized under the aegis of Department of International Relations UoP and the Centre for Research and Security Studies Islamabad at University of Peshawar. Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan was the chief guest of the event. Executive Director CRSS Imtiaz Gul, Chairman IR Prof. Dr. Adnan Sarwar was among those present.
Addressing the seminar the key note speaker from Indonesia, Mr. Endy Bayunia stated that all religions are given due respect in their country. He added there are instances when incidents of religious violence are reported in certain areas but even at the time tolerance attitude of the majority of the population gets control of the violent activities and resultantly the problems are overcome.
The visiting speaker from United States of America Merica Shabana Mir said that people in US were more religious to countries like UK but a hands-off policy of religion from state affairs have made US where it stands today. She reiterated that in Pakistan the Politicians and religious scholars need not to cash religion for political gains because the same can lead to serious eventualities as was evident from past incidences.
The Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan showed concern over the lack of respect for Muslims in countries where they were in minority. “Including Pakistan every country should have this moral courage and responsibility to respect the lesser group and not to adopt discriminatory approach towards them“ he added.
Dr. Jan said that Islam taught tolerance and forbearance and it was duty of citizens to follow the practice patience and stop in case of any incident.
Source: The Frontier Post.
