INTERFAITH DIALOGUE NEED OF THE HOUR TO BRING HARMONY AND TRANQUILITY AMONGST RELIGIONS: SPEAKER ASAD QAISER

Islamabad 19th November 2020: Speaker National Assembly has stressed for a common strategy to counter growing trend of Islamophobia in the western world. The Speaker also stressed for interfaith dialogue to bring harmony and tranquility amongst the religions. The Speaker was talking to Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan Tarek Mohamed Dahroug who called on him in Parliament House, today.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that unity among Muslims is essential for the solution of the problems presently faced by the Ummah. He underlined the need for adoption of a common strategy by the Muslim Ummah to eradicate Islamophobia. He termed the growing trend of Islamophobia, a threat to world peace. He said that utterance of blasphemous remarks and publication of caricatures in France has hurt the feelings of the entire Islamic world. He also stressed the urgent need for Dialogue between religious scholars for the promotion of inter-faith harmony for lasting peace in the world. The Speaker also invited President of Al-Azhar University, Egypt to visit Pakistan.

The Speaker said that relations between Pakistan and Egypt are based on strong foundations of religion, brotherhood, culture and history. He said that Pakistan seeks to strengthen bilateral ties through promotion of parliamentary and economic ties. He termed Parliamentary diplomacy an apt mode play in promoting bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. The Speaker said that it was heartening to note that Pakistan and Egypt share a common position on important regional and global issues and vowed to maintain the cooperation in future at all multilateral forums. He also stressed the need to further enhance cooperation with Egypt for economic development and regional development. He noted that countries have ample opportunities to increase the volume of bilateral trade.

Egyptian Ambassador Tarek Mohamed Dahroug said that growing trend of Islamophobia was also a major concern in Egypt. He agreed for a joint strategy by Ummah to counter that trend and role of religious scholars was of immense importance in that regard. He also stressed for projection of true and peaceful identity of Islam in the world through the use of modern technology.

Referring to his country’s ties with Pakistan, the Ambassador said that Egypt values its close and friendly relations and wants to strengthen them further. He said that Pakistan and Egypt are brotherly countries and custodians of ancient cultural heritage. He agreed that immense potential exists in both countries which could be tapped for mutual benefit. He said that cooperation in diverse sectors would bring both the countries more closer. He also agreed for enhancing parliamentary cooperation between legislatures of both the countries. He said that parliamentarians can play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations. He also suggested for promotion of tourism between both countries.