A meeting with youth on the concept of “Culture of Peace" was held by BETHAK-Pakistan in collaboration with Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi under the chair of Mr. Francis Jacob, Director BETHAK on 7th of February 2011 at Khurampura Colony, Khanewal. The meeting started with recitation from the Holy Quran and the Holy Bible.
Mr. Shahzad Francis Project Coordinator BETHAK told the participants about activities of BETHAK to promote culture of peace in collaboration with CSC. He also told the audience that BETHAK-cc has also been celebrating “Interfaith Harmony Week” with the URI Global Family to promote culture of peace and harmony in conflict prone area of Khanewal region. He further said that all people of God are persons whose primary purpose in life is to promote love and serve God. This common purpose binds all people together in a peaceful society in spite of our disagreements about specific doctrines. He stressed that the best solution for us is to strive in positive, persistent way to carry the love and truth of God into every segment of human affairs and particularly into those spheres of influence, which shape the thought and destiny of all men.
Mr. Shamas ul Qamar Khan said that if the Youth are armed with true spirit of love, sincerity and acceptance of all people as people of God, they will be able to pass on the true religious values that we have in common. Our common religious beliefs, heritages and mission, this would help youth to grow into one united and peace loving nation
Mr. Irfan ul Haq Shah said it is a glorious destiny to be a member of human race. God Himself glorified by sending his prophets with a message of peace among people of good will. Now it is up to us to walk around shining like the sun feeling God’s presence in others and God’s love for all. This is the only way to promote religious tolerance and bring peace in the society.
Mr. Francis Jacob Director BETHAK explained that each culture provides the context for understanding reality and for expressing religious faith and a comprehensive way to live and to organize social relations. Dialogue provides as opportunity to learn positive elements on other religions and also to share the common values about God, man and nature. He further explained that we need to respect the deep spiritual patrimony of different faiths and cultures in the areas of particular importance such as human life, the family and promotion of the culture of peace.
Mr. David Qamar, Miss Saiqa Irsha, Mrs Ester Amir, Mr. Asghar Fazal, Mr. Amir Sebastian, and Mr. Saeed ul Rehman also addressed the meeting and encouraged the youth to stand firmly against all sorts of injustice and exploitation. They called for joint efforts to create a society that enjoys culture of peace, harmony and acceptance of all with out any discrimination of any kind.
