The 69th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on May 17, 2019, on the theme of “Interfaith Harmony and Social Cohesion”.
In the countries like Pakistan which are abode to people with different castes and creeds, the interfaith harmony becomes extremely critical for peace and progress.
The first guest in studio, Moulana Ashraf Ali noted that the notion of interfaith harmony calls for peaceful coexistence and respect for the others’ faiths despite having a different religious background. The ethos of humanity are at the core of the concept of interfaith harmony which resonate with and are common to all the religions. The dialogue on interfaith harmony should be in the centrality of discourse embedded in the ideals of humanity. We must cultivate the tolerance perspectives to foster positive citizens’ attitudes.
Only by tolerance and mutual respect, can disputes and conflicts be resolved peacefully, as also manifest in the history. Having a different faith does not disable you to have cohesion in the society and, adopting and compliance with the core human values can lead to social peace and harmony. The constitution of Pakistan also ensures complete religious freedoms to all the citizens where the values key to equal citizenry are enshrined in there vide articles 8-28.
The second guest on show, Pastor Shehzad Murad from Diocese of Peshawar noted that every religion promotes peace, love and humanity. Both Islam and Christianity lay stress on the need for respecting the rights of all the human beings. We must also study other religions as a measure of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence, like I have knowledge about Islam and have read the Holy Quran. We should live peacefully, love and respect each other, and adhere to rule of law.
During the radio report, Bishop of Peshawar, Humphry Peter said that dialogue is key to interfaith harmony and need of the hour but it is not a new concept as it had existed even before Christianity and Islam. We must respect the faiths of other people to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.