LAHORE - National Conference on Interfaith Harmony has announced the Lahore Interfaith Declaration 2015 and termed the suicide bombing and all forms of terrorism as against the teachings of every divine religion including Islam.
The conference, which was presided over by Minister of Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Shahjahan Yousaf, in its declaration reaffirmed that terrorism should not be linked to any religion.
The speakers included Punjab minister on minority affairs Tahir Khalil Sindhu, Evacuee Trust Property Board chairman Siddique-ul-Farooq, Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah, MNA Asia Nasir, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Dr Abdul Khabeer Azad, Bishop Irfan Jameel and others expressed deepest sympathy for those who fell victim to terrorism in the country and outside Pakistan and said the tolerance and brotherhood among faithful of religions could be helpful in defeating terrorists.
Ministry of Religion Affairs and Interfaith Harmony organised the conference at a local hotel on Wednesday.
The conference adopted five-point recommendations, which stressed the need for promoting tolerance, dialogue, understandings among various religions and civilizations.
Muhammad Yousaf believed some foreign powers behind the destabilisation of Pakistan and vowed the country would continue its progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He stressed the need for unity among the people of Pakistan to face the challenges posing by foreign powers against the country. He said he believed the terrorism would be rooted out from the country as Zarb-e-Azb was moving ahead successfully. He stressed the need for making educational reforms in the country by standing above of Madrassha and School debate. He announced to hold interfaith harmony conferences in other provinces too.
Tahir Khalid Sindhu said that minorities were united for the sake of Pakistan. He said the provincial government had revised syllabus which would be free of hate material. He announced to hold interfaith conferences in all cities of the province.