Pakistan Interfaith Conference Calls for Religious Freedom

Interfaith Conference Organized

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association and Apostolic Nunciature in Pakistan organized a National Interfaith Harmony & Peace Conference in Islamabad.

Participants Include Religious Leaders

The conference brought together bishops, judges, government officials, religious scholars, and civil society representatives from Pakistan.

Vatican Delegation Attends

A delegation from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, including Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage and Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta, participated.

Apostolic Nuncio's Message

Archbishop Germano Penemote emphasized the Holy See's role in safeguarding human dignity, justice, and peace through religious freedom.

“The Holy See does not remain indifferent when human life is endangered, destroyed or discriminated against”

Religious Freedom Statement

Msgr. Kodithuwakku stated religious freedom is a recognition of human dignity, not a concession between communities.

“Religious freedom is not a concession made by one community to another. It is a recognition of the dignity of the human person”

Ali Jinnah's Quote

Msgr.Kodithuwakku quoted Ali Jinnah: 'You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan.'

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan”

Islamic Perspective

Fr. Kewuta stressed faith must be translated into justice, where justice leads to peace in a plural society.

“Faith must be translated into justice. Where there is justice, there is peace. Peace is the barometer of a healthy nation”

Chief Justice's View

The Islamabad High Court Chief Justice emphasized equal citizenship and rejecting labels of 'majority' and 'minority'.

“We are all one Pakistani”

Qamar Zaman Kaira's Input

Qamar Zaman Kaira highlighted misinterpretation of religion as a source of intolerance and division in society.

“The misinterpretation of religion is a significant source of intolerance and division in society”

Khel Das Kohistani's Concern

Khel Das Kohistani identified forced conversions as an obstacle to interreligious trust and dialogue.

“Forced conversions as another serious concern and an obstacle to building trust among religious communities”

Conference Conclusions

Participants called for political leadership, judiciary, religious institutions, and civil society to work together for equal citizenship and peace.

“The gathering concluded with a renewed call for political leadership, the judiciary, religious institutions, the legal fraternity, and civil society to work together beyond religious, cultural, and social differences”