The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, celebrates annually on September 21. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people. Like every year since the inception of the organization, for Peace and Development. Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights (PCSW&HR) an active Cooperation Circle (CC) of United Religions Initiatives (URI) in Pakistan also observed the International Day of Peace on 21st September 2014. Although PCSW&HR organized various activities to observe the peace day but the main activity was peace seminar on “Right of People to Peace” organized by the PCSW&HR on 21stSeptember 2014 at Sialkot. Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori Chairman PCSW&HR was the chief guest of this peace seminar whereas Dr. Nelson Azeem Ex – Member National Assembly of Pakistan presided over the Peace Seminar. Ex- vice president Sialkot Cantonment Board Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Qadri, Chairman Ulama Mushaiq Council Dr. Mufti Najeeb Ahmed Hashmi, prominent religious leader Qari Khalil Ahmed Qadri, Executive Director PCSW&HR Mr. Mansoor Ahmed, Directors Mr. Muhammad Ramzan Mustafie, hundreds of men & women from all walk of life in which politicians, educationists, lawyers, religious leaders, trade union representatives, Governmental and non governmental officials, media both electronic and print media representatives, PCSW&HR’s officials etc participated in the seminar.
The seminar was consisted on two sessions, during the first session various persons addressed the participants and second session was questions & answers on various issues like Peace & human rights, Peace & women empowerment, Peace & present scenario, Peace & Justice etc. While addressing the peace seminar Chairman Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights Dr. Nelson Azeem warmly welcomed the all participants of the seminar. He said that today we are gathered here to celebrate the International Peace Day as our organization PCSW&HR celebrates this important day every year and on this momentous day, my heart is over flowing with gratitude and respect toward the peace-minded organizations, civic and religious leaders, peace workers, lawyers, media representatives and young people who have gathered among us to celebrate the International Day of Peace (IDP) 2014.
He further added that I am really thankful to all of you for sparing your precious time from your busy schedules; you have traveled from near and far to join this meaningful event. Your Presence here serves as a beacon of light and a source of peace not only for Pakistan but also for the world serves as a beacon of light and a source of hop for the global world.
Addressing during the seminar Chairman Ulamah Council Dr. Mufti Najeeb Hashmi said that Islam presents the best practical model of tolerance. It is a baseless fabrication that Islam is not disposed to tolerating people belonging to other creeds, ideologies and religions. The history of Islam offers models of religious tolerance, equality, justice, peace, interfaith harmony, universal brotherhood, safeguard of the minorities’ rights, democracy and best treatment of persons belonging to different faiths. Unfortunately at the moment most of terrorist’s acts are happening on the name of Islam, but in fact the master mind and implementer of these acts are very far from Islamic ideology and practices, even they have no religion they are just terrorists.
This means that peace is one of the prerequisites of Islam. Similarly, a Hadith states: A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands people are safe. One of the attributes of God described in the Quran is ‘As-Salam’, which means peace and security.’ That is to say that God’s being itself is a manifestation of peace. Indeed, God is Peace (Al-Bukhari).
He further said that if we want a real peace in our country or around the world then every one needs to take part in that, and we need to promote social justice and harmony to promote peace. We need to take care of each other to promote peace. We need to sensitize each other to respect and accept every one in whatever capacity he/she belongs to. He concluded his speech with the following words: “May God make us an instrument of His love, peace, and joy. May Peace Prevail in Sialkot, May Peace Prevail at Pakistan, and May Peace Prevail on Earth.
While addressing during the Peace Seminar as Chief Gust Muhammad Ijaz Noori Chairman PCSW&HR said that no can survive without peace, Islam as a religion is totally committed to peace and security. It views with great contempt, breach of peace, anarchy, rioting and terrorism. Muslims as Ummah are a peace-loving community. The acts classified as terrorism have been strongly condemned by Islam; Islamic teachings preach that every possible step should be taken for their eradication. Islam has prohibited everything that may pose threat to social harmony, cause breach of peace or may endanger peace and security of citizens. Islamic Shariah stands for maintenance of peace and prevention of riots and disturbances. Islam is against drunkenness, rape, adultery and scandal-mongering about innocent women. Islam strives for elimination of oppression, rioting or anything which adversely affects the culture and civilization of the country.
He further said that Terrorism ruptures social peace; Islam strictly forbids terrorizing peace-loving citizens. Religion desires peace, tranquility and social harmony. Acts of terrorist’s violence destroy the moral principles, meant for the welfare of human beings. That is a crime and has no place in a religion like Islam, which is deeply committed to peace and security of human beings. He also said that type of terrorism has no place in Islamic Shariah. The Holy Quran makes it explicit that killing an innocent person is equivalent to killing the whole humankind. He urged that it is need of hour to explain the actual Islamic teaching in effectual manners to eradicate this negative expression that terrorism and extremism have relations with Islam. In this regards we have to play our important role to promote inter religious harmony and Socio- religious peaceful co-existence for durable peace, justice, elimination of poverty, protection of human rights and human development.
Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori also said that Justice and fair play are pre requisite for a healthy and peaceful society. Disruption of peace is the reaction of terror, injustice and atrocity. In view of that Islam has placed great emphasis on adhering to justice and fair play irrespective of distinction of creed and community. Islam has prohibited partiality in the matter of justice, even if it concerns your blood relation.
According to Islamic ideology all human beings stand equal for respect and kind consideration. Therefore, a human being who is respectable should not be subjected to atrocity and unfair treatment because that is disrespect and dishonor to him. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared that the protest of the victim of atrocity, irrespective of his creed and religion has the prospect of being heard by Allah. Highlighting the theme of 2014 International day of peace“Right of People to Peace” Mr. Noori said that Islam gives full protection to all minorities and peace will be essential for all minorities, vulnerable groups etc without any kind of discrimination or bias and Islamic state will be the responsible for the protection of all rights of minorities in its regime. Discrimination among human beings is against humanitarian considerations. He further said that we should struggle collectively for the durable peace, elimination of terrorism, human development and protection of human rights at grass roots level with out any discrimination. He encouraged all the people who work for peace and unity. He said that even a small act of Love, Peace and Unity is very effective and beneficial to bring peace on earth. Mr. Noori also urged the super powers that they should ensure to secure peace at Philistine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Occupied Kashmir and all other countries where people are deprived to their basic right “Right to Peace” so that human being of these countries may also enjoy the right to peace. May peace prevail in earth. May peace prevail on earth.
During the Seminar PCSW&R, Directors Mushtaq Ahmed Qadari, Mansoor Ahmed, Muhammad Ramzan Mustafie, Qari Muhammad Khalil and others also addressed and threw light on importance of peace in the present scenario.
During the seminar questions answers session was also held, participants of seminar raised different questions about Peace & human rights, Peace & women empowerment, Peace & present scenario, Peace & Justice etc. Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, Dr. Nelson Azeem, Dr. Mufti Najeeb Ahmed Hashmi and others speakers answered the questions of participants comprehensively. Various National newspapers also highlighted the peace seminar in their newspapers. At the end of seminar a collective prayers were offered for durable peace on earth. Participants also comments regarding peace seminar organized on the eve of International Peace Day.
