National Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Pakistan (NCID) organized a one day Interfaith Youth Conference here in Sialkot

Sialkot, Pakistan: March 26, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)



National Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Pakistan (NCID) organized a one day Interfaith Youth Conference here in Sialkot on March 23, 2010 The Pakistan Day.  

The topic of the conference was “The Role of Youth in Building and Solidarity of Pakistan.”.  Provincial Minster for Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs of Punjab Dr. Tanveer-ul-Islam was the chief guest while Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, national coordinator of NCID presided the conference.The conference began with the national anthem of Pakistan sung by all the participants and guests.  Fr. Afzaal Iqbal OFM Cap welcomed chief guest and all the participants and presented the keynote remarks.  He commented, “Youth are like the backbone of our society and they are the focus of all the poetry of Allama Iqbal.  Youth of Sialkot played a vital role in the movement of Pakistan.  It is only the youth that can protect Pakistan.

Prof. Yousaf Nayyar commented, “Remember the sayings of Qaud-e-Azam who said the youth will hold the command of the nation.”Mian Muhammad Mohsin Gill, president Shabab Milli said, “Pakistan is a gift of God for us and today we have gathered here to express our love with Pakistan.  We the believers of different religions are like a bouquet of flowers of different colors.  Unfortunately, today we have forgotten the teachings of our religions and today’s youth are confused for their future.”  He said, “A nation stands united in the times of test and trials and a nation do not make progress without any tests and trials.  We express solidarity and brotherhood with our Christian brothers.  We will always stand united under all sorts of difficulties.  We have to eliminate all the hatred from our country.”President Youth Wing of Minhaj ul Quran, Hafiz Muhammad Azeem Malik said, “The role of youth in building Pakistan is unforgettable.  Today, during the ongoing terrorism in our country there is a dire need of peace, unity and dialogue.  It is the time of practical measures.”  Ameer Jamat-e-Islami Sialkot, Shams-ul-Arfin, said, “There is a dire need to establish religions harmony so that we could eliminate the clash between civilizations.  I would like to tell my Christian brothers that Pakistan is their home and their country.  We will work together for the progress and prosperity of our country.  Let’s prove love and unity for building Pakistan.”Chairman Pakistan ADM Rights, Lucas Pervaiz Luca said, “Youth cannot be ignored anywhere and anytime.  They always play a major role in building and development of the country.”  He emphasized youth to get education so that they may work with more enthusiasm for the progress of the country.”

Addressing the participants of the conference, Dr. Tanveer ul Islam said, “23rd March is the day of revolution.  We have this country after tremendous sacrifices.” He said, “These were not only the Muslims who built Pakistan but we cannot forget the role of Christians to get freedom.  We all will jointly continue our efforts for the solidarity of Pakistan.”President of the youth conference Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap said, “It is highly condemnable that some of self-centered politicians have trampled and distorted the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, the Father of our Nation.  It is the need of the hour to rebuild the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam, a country without religious discrimination and where every citizen enjoys full rights.”  He appreciated the views of all the speakers and urged them to use the correct synonym for Christians in Urdu language.  He also demanded all the concerned authorities to include a chapter of Interfaith Dialogue in the textbooks.  He appealed the chief guest to explore the hidden talent of the youth through cultural prorgrammes.

He further said that role of Christians in building and solidarity of Pakistan highlighted only two times in a year i.e. on 23rd of March and 14th of August.  But the facts have not been documented that where and how the Christians have contributed in building Pakistan and how they playing their role for its development.  The role of Christian heroes was included in the textbooks after the Indo-Pak war of 1965.  But, the portion of this history has been eliminated with the changes of the governments.He said to the leaders of the different parties/organization who were present in the conference that it is not sufficient only to hear and talk about these things.  The major thing is to follow and practice all what we say and hear.  He invited all the participants to bring their friends towards this path and to take out a peace rally on the day of independence 2010.  By doing this we will show the whole world that we are living with unity and peace.

In the end Dr. Tanveer ul Islam, Fr. Francis Nadeem and leaders of all the youth groups/organizations cut the cake of the Pakistan Day 2010.