Peace and Harmony Network Pakistan, an association of scholars and representatives from different religions working to promote peace, harmony and coexistence, has suggested that there is a need to find an internationally acceptable legal and diplomatic framework to prevent actions that offend religious sentiments, incite violence or acts of violence and intolerance.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Peace and Harmony Network Chairperson Allama Muhammad Zubair Abid and Coordinator Mr Javaid William vehemently condemned the anti-Islam film as well as burning of religious books and said that all governments have responsibilities to take measures to prevent the propagation of hatred against religions.
They pointed out that violent and destructive response cannot be justified in any circumstances. They also suggested that there is a need to address the problem of hate speech, as this is engulfing the peace and coexistence. “We have to keep a vigilant eye on anti-peace and anti-human elements who are active to incite violence and create disorder to paralyse all peace efforts,” they said.
Mr Javaid William said that there is a need to take all steps to combat hatred and discrimination worldwide, and to promote coexistence among different religions and faiths and to create a harmonious society locally and globally. He urged people from different faiths to restore compassion, respect and tolerance among one another.
To a question, he rejected the content and message of the reprehensible film and said those who desire to live in peace must give all respects to others. “We need to respect sentiments of all human beings and we have to create an atmosphere where everyone may have religious freedom,” he said.
Besides others, Maulana Abdul Wahab Roprri, Shakeelur Rehman Nasir, Sikh representative Taranjeet Singh and Hindu representative Amarnath Randhawa were also present on the occasion.
Mr Javaid William said that there is a need to promote interfaith and intra-faith harmony. “We are against any provocation against any religion but we are also against bloody violence or vengeance in reaction as this is also not favouring anyone,” he told a questioner. “We need to promote tolerance and forgiveness. I think all humankind should reject vengeance to achieve peace,” he said.
Allama Zubair Abid, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Mushaikh Council, said that every religion teaches peace, brotherhood to protect rights of others and to promote tolerance. But some anti-human elements are trying to disrupt peaceful coexistence and religious harmony, he said. “We have to give all respects to holy books, religious places and personalities without any discrimination,” he said.
“We should have dialogue, understanding, cooperation, harmony and to remove misunderstanding among different faiths,” he said. The Peace and Harmony Network is working on the agenda to promote interfaith and intra-faith harmony to achieve peace and tolerance in the society. He said that the Peace and Harmony Network was an initiative to bring peace and harmony in the society and the solely purpose behind the setting up a network of different religions was to develop a social connection.
