Role of Religion & Law in Dialogue Among Civilizations
Well-known Austrian scholar and Associate Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Vienna, Dr Stefan Hammer on Thursday delivered the keynote address on ‘Role of Religion & Law in Dialogue Among Civilizations’ at the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Faisal Masjid Campus. Dr Stafen viewed religion as a binding force that united people representing diverse ethnicities, region, languages and culture and promoted peace, tolerance and co-existence in the world.
The lecture that was organized by the IRI, IIUI in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Austria, International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA), Directorate of Students Affairs and Faculty of Shariah & Law IIU was attended by a large number of students, scholars and senior faculty members.
Ambassador of Austria, Mr Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera, President, Asia Region of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr Kelly R. Johnson; Judge, Federal Shariat Court, Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwer; DG IRI, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ziaul Haq, President IRCRA, Muhammad Israr Madani, Student Advisor (Male), IIU Dr Hafiz Ghufran Ahmad and (Female) Dr Rukhsana Tariq also spoke on the occasion and termed organizing of the lecture quite timely and would go a long way in fostering Interfaith Harmony and enhancing friendly links among the followers of Islam and Christianity particularly. Dr Stafen Hammer said a number of debates existed around religion and people questioned whether freedom of religion was important or freedom of expression. There are certain values which are common in law, morality and religion and apparently there was no conflict in them. In bringing peace, progress and peaceful co-existence role of religion, he said was equally important. Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer said in Quran we find certain verses that relate to the ‘faithful’ and good people within the Christians. The Christian world he said was far ahead of the Islamic world in expressing solidarity with the victims of the Israeli forces’ atrocities and therefore deserved the entire Muslim world’s appreciation.
