Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed has condemned anyone who distorts the essence of faith, stressing the need for unity among all religions.
“We are brothers, and in our presence, any attack on a place of worship is a grave injustice,” said the Minister while addressing an Interfaith Harmony Conference organized by the Ministry at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, here, the other day.
He shed light on the recent incident in Jaranwala, saying such incidents should never have occurred. However, he pointed out that there had been even worse atrocities against various communities in neighbouring India. “Those who lost their lives in India among the Christian brethren are not just Christians but also our brothers,” he passionately expressed.
He further reiterated that Pakistan was not merely a ‘State’ but an Islamic Republic. “We are the people of the book, and we are supplicants of the One God,” he proclaimed.
Aneeq extended his message of inclusivity by highlighting the divine nature of all scriptures, including the Torah, Psalms, Bible, and the Holy Quran. “These are all divine revelations, the final one being the Quran,” he affirmed.
Turning his attention to the tragic incident in Manipur, India, where over 150 Christians lost their lives, the minister clarified that no Christians had been harmed in Pakistan. “We believe that what happened in Jaranwala should never have happened,” he stated emphatically.
He applauded the collective stance of the nation alongside their Christian brethren in the face of the Jaranwala tragedy. “We are a resilient nation, and our protest speaks volumes,” he declared.
In his closing remarks, Aneeq urged that while any incident should be prevented, it must be handled through legal means. “We must not take the law into our own hands,” he emphasized, leaving the audience inspired and reflective.
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and unity, shed light on the pivotal message of Islam for a harmonious world.
Ashrafi who is also the President of the International Interfaith Harmony Council, emphasises the importance of religious cohesion, stressed that the teachings of Islam inherently advocate for peaceful coexistence among all communities.
The people allegedly involved in the Jaranwala incident were not representative of anyone but extremism and terrorism, he maintained. He highlighted the noble character of Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him, underscoring how his life served as a beacon of guidance for individuals from all walks of life.
