ISLAMABAD : August 30: The interfaith harmony conference held here on Wednesday unanimously passed a declaration to promote interfaith harmony among all religions being observed in Pakistan.
The declaration said “We, the participants of the Interfaith Harmony Conference, convened in response to the recent interfaith disturbances caused by sacrileges of the Holy Quran and the subsequent acts of violence against churches and Christian properties in Jarnwala, Faisalabad, hereby declare our unwavering commitment to promoting interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among all communities in Pakistan”.
Reaffirming the principles of unity and harmony that have been central to the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as laid out in his historic speech on 11 August, 1947;
Drawing inspiration from the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, we are committed to upholding the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, and the protection of life, property, and the profession of religion for all citizens; and
In pursuance of the goals set out in National Action Plan (NAP), Paigam-e-Pakistan, and the National Security Policy, the participants of the conference solemnly declare and pledge as follows:
We vehemently condemn all acts of sacrilege, vandalism, and violence against religious institutions and properties. We vow to protect the rights of all religious communities to practice their faith without fear or discrimination.
We recognize that open and respectful dialogue among different faiths is essential for promoting mutual respect and understanding. We commit to fostering interfaith dialogue as a means to address misunderstandings and bridge gaps between communities.
We emphasize the importance of integrating interfaith education into educational curricula at all levels to promote a deeper understanding of various religious traditions and cultivate an atmosphere of acceptance.
We encourage religious leaders, scholars, and representatives from all faiths to actively engage with their communities and promote the values of tolerance, compassion, and respect for diversity.
We urge law enforcement agencies to enhance community policing efforts, preventing and promptly addressing interfaith violence and hate crimes.
We call upon media organizations to uphold responsible journalism, avoiding the spread of content that fuels religious hatred or incites violence.
We recognize that nurturing interfaith harmony necessitates the combined efforts of government institutions, civil society, religious leaders, and citizens.
We support peaceful mechanisms of conflict resolution, such as dialogue, mediation, and legal avenues, to address grievances and disputes among different religious communities.
We stand in solidarity with the affected communities in Jarnwala, Faisalabad, and reaffirm our commitment to helping them rebuild and recover from the recent incidents of violence.
In conclusion, we are steadfast in our determination to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance across Pakistan. Inspired by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision and guided by the guarantees of equal treatment, non-discrimination, and the protection of religious freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, we are determined to create a society where diversity is celebrated, and all citizens can live in peace, harmony, and mutual respect.
