Salik Hussain calls for promoting tolerance

Islamabad: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Tuesday called for promoting tolerance and understanding to create a world where all people regardless of their faith can live in harmony and peace.

Addressing the opening ceremony of Gandhara Symposium in Islamabad, he said we must stand united against extremism and injustice recognizing that diversity is the strength.

The Minister stressed the importance of intercultural and interfaith dialogue to deal with challenges like extremism.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain said our heritage puts us in unique a position to promote dialogue and cooperation among all faiths.

The Minister also commended Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its exceptional efforts in organizing the symposium.

Earlier, the Minister received foreign delegations and Buddhist leaders from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka and China.

Sri Lankan Minister for Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka was also among the visiting delegates.

It is pertinent to mention that the Gandhara Art was also exhibited at the symposium.

The two-day Gandhara Symposium and exhibition has been organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A large number of Islamabad-based diplomats, scholars, artists and art-lovers are attending the event, alongside around 25 foreign delegates.

The event has been organized in connection with the ‘Vesak Day’, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha.

The event highlights Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and importance accorded by the government to inter-faith harmony.