Islamic conference Held at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan

An Islamic conference titled, ‘Reconstruction of an Inclusive Islamic Society in Pakistan in the Light of Paigham-e-Pakistan’ was held at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan campus on Tuesday. The aim of conference was hold dialogues by inviting all people belonging to all age groups, sex, sects, origin, and religion, ethnicity, economic and political under platform to discuss formation of an inclusive and tolerant Islamic society in Pakistan. The conference continued for two days. Speakers from various Universities and socialites addressed the attendants of the conference and put emphasis on reconstruction of a more accepting society in Pakistan.

The Vice Chancellor of BZU also addressed the conference, he said, Islam advocates granting due rights to the rightful, giving relief to the oppressed and treating the marginalized generously irrespective of their religion, caste, color or creed. He further insisted that the basis of Islam were laid to promote peace and humanity in Arab. The values taught by Quran negate extremism and terrorism. The message of Islam was prevalence of tolerance and discrimination. The terms of extremism and terrorism are allied with Islam by western countries and others, whereas, these were the things that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) targeted to be eliminated in Arab after he received Prophet Hood.

The conference was arranged by Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad, and Department of Islamic Studies, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan. The conference was attended by masses of social activists, religious scholars, faculty members and students. The chief guest of the conference was Dr Akhtar Malik (Punjab Minister for Energy). Other notable attendants of the event included VC BZU, Dean Faculty of Islamic Studies and Languages and Courses Dr Shafqat Ullah, IRI Director General Dr Zia ul Haq, reputed religious scholar Dr Tahir Khakwani and Dr Saeed ur Rehman.

The faculty members of BZU and IRI addressed the conference as well. The main theme of the conference was targeted at elimination of forceful imposition of beliefs on people. The scholars collectively agreed on the fact that Islam was prevailed through debates, Preaching and Holding Speeches. The measure which is adopted today is using force and anguish. The values of peace and tranquility, love and brotherhood, tolerance and forgiveness, which were being taught by example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through his lifestyle seems to be subdued.

Various speakers of the conference also directed the subject of their talks towards the main reason because of which Pakistan came into being. It was definitely availability of equal rights of religion, jobs, living and cultural activities. Now that 70 we are entering into 8th decade of Pakistan’s existence, we have lost the reason on base of which we gained independence. The malice of intolerance and extremism has been penetrated into all sects and communities of the country.

It seems as if we all have concluded only our belief and our perception regarding every matter to be supreme and perfect. There is no room for inclusion of any amendment in our so called perfection. Such conferences are thought provoking and source of realization and make us question, if we are heading towards the right way?