Interfaith Harmony Vital in Pluralistic Society, Speakers Urge at GCWUF Seminar
— October 24, 2024
FAISALABAD (AIA) Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) hosted a seminar on “Religious Diversity and Interfaith Harmony” on Thursday, organised by the Directorate of Student Affairs in collaboration with the Departments of Islamic Studies, Botany, and Statistics. The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Zill-I-Huma Nazli, Vice Chancellor of GCWUF, with Dr. Tanveer Qasim, Director Coordination at the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), serving as the chief guest.
In her address, Dr. Nazli stressed that tolerance is the most effective solution to combat religious discrimination. She highlighted that Islam advocates respect and equal rights for religious minorities, adding that creating space for non-Muslims is a core principle of an Islamic society. The vice chancellor also praised the Punjab government’s youth initiatives and the PHEC’s role in promoting interfaith harmony, calling for a more tolerant and moderate environment within society.
Dr. Qasim echoed the vice chancellor’s sentiments, emphasising that in a pluralistic society, interfaith harmony is essential for peace. “Humanity should be the greatest religion,” he said, citing equality and tolerance as its cornerstone values. He also noted that fake news is a significant cause of social unrest, while highlighting the PHEC’s ongoing efforts to foster peaceful coexistence on university campuses. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Punjab government is investing billions in scholarships, benefiting over 30,000 students across universities.
The seminar was attended by Dr. Asma Aziz, Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Amara Javed, faculty members, and a large number of students.