National Council for Interfaith Dialogue (NCID) Delegation meet with Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Speaker Punjab Assembly, Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan: March 20, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)



A delegation of National Council for Interfaith Dialogue (NCID) called on H.E. Rana Muhammad Iqbal, the speaker of Punjab Assembly on March 18, 2010 in his chamber within Punjab Assembly in Lahore. Fr. Francis Nadeem, OFM Cap led the delegation. The objective of this meeting was to invite the Government of Punjab to involve itself for the promotion of Interfaith Dialogue, peace, to build bridges between the followers of different religions in Pakistan and to include interfaith peace education in the syllabus of schools & colleges.

First of all Fr. Francis Nadeem briefed the speaker about the objective of the visit and programmes & activities of National Council for Interfaith Dialogue.  He said, “National council for Interfaith Dialogue is working for the promotion of peace, religious harmony and national solidarity for the last few years.  It is comprised of Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh & Parsi scholars, journalists, media personnel, youth, women, children, educationists, lawyers and people belonging to different walks of life.” Fr. Francis Nadeem urged all the politicians to play a positive role towards the peace building and national solidarity.”

Afterwards Pir Shafaat Rasool expressed his remarks.  He said, “Islam does not teach about religious discrimination and instead it gives full rights to all the non Muslim citizens of an Islamic state.  It is a wrong expression that few elements are fighting for the sake Islam and committing suicidal attack, bomb blasts and killing innocent children, women and elders.  There is no space for terrorism in the Islam.  A Muslim is not entitled to call himself a Muslim unless he believes Jesus Christ.”

The speaker welcoming the delegation of the National Council for Interfaith Dialogue began saying, “I pray that may Almighty God may grant success to your positive mindset.  Regardless of creed, caste or color we all are the citizens of Pakistan.  You all are carrying forward the approach of all Pakistanis which is a highly commendable move. We all have to play our role to repeal all sorts of hurdles on the way to progress and prosperity of our country.  Constitution of Pakistan equally assures protection of all its citizens.  According to article 25 of the constitution everybody is free to observe his/her religion.  Today our country is facing numerous challenges.  The effects of the role of  NCID will help the country towards progress and  elimination of terrorism.”

He continued saying, “We belong to different creeds it means that we are like flowers of different colors that make a bouquet which is our beloved country, Pakistan.  If mindset of everyone becomes positive then nobody could build obstacle on the way towards development of our country.  Everybody must follow good principles like, hard working, service, faith & integrity.  Everybody knows that we are going through a difficult phase of the history of our country.  Islam provides protection to the rights of the minorities.  Good changes would come if everybody of us thinks being a Pakistani.”

Today, all the citizens of Pakistan including believers of different faiths, civil society organizations, are praying for the forces of Pakistan who are fighting for war against terrorism.  This war is not a far for the sake of Islam.  This is the war against our country which has destroyed the image of Pakistan throughout the world,  foreign investors have stopped further investments.  But, we shouldn’t be discouraged because we have to build the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.  This would be possible with your help and efforts.  I am highly thankful to Fr. Francis Nadeem for all his services for national solidarity and I assure all of you of my full moral support.”During the meeting NCID submitted a memorandum to the speaker regarding the inclusion of Interfaith Peace Education in the syllabus of academic institutions and proposed different topics accordingly.  The honorable speaker went through the memorandum and declared that he would consult the concerned authorities in this regard.

Fr. Samson Dilawar, Pir Shafaat Rasool (Chief Patron Bilal Markaz, Lahore), Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain (Chairman Tehreek-e-Ittehad-e- Millat), Dr. Munwar Chand (Hindu), Sardar Bishon Singh (Sikh), Pervez Yousaf (Executive Secretary, NCID), Asher Malik (Board Member NCID), Rev. Amjad Niamat, Ms. Naveed Anjum (Chairperson Complaint Cell, Punjab), Pastor Chaman Sardar, Pastor Shahzada Khurram, Samson Paul, Christopher Joseph, Saleem Raza, Nadeem Chaudhry & Asif Amanullah were the delegates of the council.