In a dialogue session held by International Islamic University’s Iqbal International Institute for Research and dialogue (IRD), students of different madaris (seminaries) hailing from various sects Sunday were urged to forge unity among them for creating harmony among various schools of thought in the country.
The students had a dialogue and activities pertaining to inter-sect harmony and unity of Muslim Ummah in a recreation trip to Pir Sohawa arranged by IRD Department, a press release said here. The participants took part in the games, discussions and friendship sessions, where they exchanged phone numbers and agreed that there were minor differences in the sects which should be resolved on the level of Islamic scholars.
They also vowed that they would work together to spread resemblances prevailed in the sects instead of differences. The activity was a second in its kind as the IRD had arranged a same activity at Khewra a few months ago. The concluding ceremony was attended by IIUI Rector Dr MasoomYasinzai, IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, Academics Vice-President Dr Bashir Khan, IRD Executive Director Dr Husnul Amin, Dr Fahad Al-Dakheel and other officials of the institute.
The IIUI rector called upon the Muslim scholars to play their role to create unity among the Muslims, adding that Islam advocated patience and respect to the opinion of others. He lauded the activity while saying that such programmes could be proved as milestones in terms of bringing the students of madaris into mainstream.
He said that IIUI focused on producing balanced personalities and gave core importance to the Islamic values and teachings along with contemporary education.
Dr Masoom further said that negative elements wanted to magnify sectarian differences in the Muslim societies and this issue must be dealt by connecting academia and madaris.
Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh emphasised the Muslim societies to create unity among the ranks and take practical steps to nullify the propaganda against Islam.
He urged the participants to focus on research and disseminate Islam’s message of peace and tranquility. Extremism and violence had nothing to do with Islam, while Islam was a staunch supporter of love for humanity and inter-faith harmony, he added.
The IIUI president opined that Muslims would have to put aside sectarian differences and would have to nurture their youth in the light of Islamic teachings.
He added that IIUI, disseminating Islam’s message of peace through conferences, seminars and its constituent units, through programmes and training courses, was striving for bridging the gap between the students of madaris and universities.
Earlier, Dr Husnul Amin welcomed the IIUI leadership and participants of the activity and briefed them about the objectives of series of inter-sect harmony programmes. At the end, certificates were distributed among the students by IIUI rector and president.
