4th MINORITIES MEETING
Sir Ganga Ram Heritage Foundation organized a 4th Minorities Meeting in collaboration with Interfaith Dialogue for Peace and Inter-Religious Peace Council on Tuesday 2nd July 2013 at Dyal Singh Research & Cultural Forum auditorium on the subject of “Interfaith Dialogue for Peace in Pakistan”. All the representatives of different religions participated and expressed their views on the said topic. Director SGRHF, Prof. Yousaf Irfan gave a welcome address and delivered a brief speech in which he highlighted the importance of inter-religious harmony in the region of South Asia. Among the participants were Sheraz Cheema, Bishop I. Paul (Christian), Dr. Munwar Chand (Hindu), Sardar Rawinder Singh (Sikh), Mr. Mick (American), Mr. Brain (American), Maulana Javeed Akbar Saqi (Muslim), Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, (Sikh), MPA and Mr. Asim Butt, Chairman Inter-Religious Peace Council (IRPC). Mr. Amjad Chishti conducted the seminar as stage secretary.
Sheraz Cheema said that majority and minority are present in every country. Minorities commit less mistakes as compared to majority because they are lesser in numbers.
Bishop I. Paul said that the purpose for which we have gathered here will be fulfilled, if we learn to live with love and affection for each other.
Munawar Chand was of the view that every religion preaches love and affection and not hatred. We are all Pakistanis and we are one under this flag of Pakistan. We collectively celebrate all the festivals of different religions together.
Sardar Ravinder Singh said every religion believe in one God. Various religions call God by different names. We are sent by God to love each other. He further said that such program should be organized regularly for the motivation of people.
Mr. Mike said that his experience in Pakistan is very pleasant. Here we have seen various religious communities not only live together but also respect each other. International media is giving a wrong image of Pakistan. He praised that the respect and hospitality which he and Brian received here is sweet and memorable. According to him, the importance of interfaith harmony / dialogue is that it will help us in coming close to each other.
Mr. Brian said that after watching different religions, I have come to the conclusion that all religions preach love and peace and they are good for humanity. He further said that he is born in a staunch Christian family. He was taught that Christianity is the best religion and people of other religions are bad and enemy to Christianity. When I grow up and become member of International House, New York, I find people of different religions with love and peace in one roof of International House. They live and ding together and respect each other so much that I am moved to spread the message of International House all over the world. For this mission, I and my wife visited many countries to understand various religions. In order to have love and peace in the world we have to cross all barriers and boundaries and meet each other for the sake of peace and universal brotherhood.
Maulana Javed Akbar Saqi said the greatest religion is humanity. Out of all religions, Islam is the only religion who says that, “murder of one person is the murder of whole humanity”.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora thanked SGRHF for holding such a dignified function. He said that Quaid-e-Azam believed in religious freedom and peace. Here every religion has complete freedom. In Pakistan there is no differentiation between majority and minority.
Mr. Asim Butt said IRPC is working in Pakistan for humanity and prosperity. We have invited Mr. Mike and Mr. Brian from America to show them that Pakistan is not a terrorist country, people here are living in peace and harmony and they love each other.
