November 1, 2007
To promote interfaith harmony and relay message of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence, ActionAid Pakistan, Citizens' Peace Committee , SDPI, Sungi Development Foundation and other partner NGOs organized "Karwaan-e-Aman", an inter-faith peace rally comprising Peace/Human Rights activists, religious leaders and men and women belonging to different faiths including Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The Peace Rally commenced from Rahim Yar Khan on October 28 and reached Islamabad on Thursday November 01, via Multan, Lahore, Toba Tek Singh and Jhelum.
A press meeting was held where the objectives and significance of this peace initiative was shared. 'We cannot build our nation on the foundation of Christian, Muslim, Sikh or Hindu triumphalism. Building trust, understanding and harmony across religious diversity is vital for interfaith understanding and collaborative march towards sustainable peace in the country" Said ActionAid Official Nusrat Sheikh. Participants also stated that successive Discriminatory legislation has fostered an atmosphere of religious intolerance and eroded the social and legal status of members of religious minorities. Despite Governments repeated calls for religious moderation and tolerance, Sectarian and religiously motivated violence remains a chronic. Peace Activists demanded strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan, promoting reform in the school syllabus to expunge derogatory statements about religious minorities and initiation of a national level inter-faith dialogue. A resolution was passed reaffirming commitment to curb interfaith conflict and a favorable environment for religious sovereignty and interfaith synchronization.
On their way from Rahim Yar Khan to Islamabad, the delegates met with the political leadership , District public safety commissions and clergy of multiple faith communities, paid homage to the holy shrines of spiritual leaders including Bahauddin Zakkarya, Shams Tabrez, Baba Fareed, Guru Nanak, Bhulley Shah and Barri Imam, and offered prayers for peace and prosperity. They interacted with local communities, civil society and media and staged cultural performances to promote the message of peaceful co-existence among followers of different religions. The over-night stay and cultural events were organized and hosted by local Muslim and Non-Muslim communities and the community based organizations.
To mark the successful completion of Karwaan-e-Aman, a folk cultural evening was organized in Islamabad where folk singers and dancers from Rohi and Pakpattan gave colorful performances. Music is the language of love and an effective instrument for promoting tolerance and pluralism among people of Pakistan. We are here to revive the message of peace and Love-for-All as promulgated by the Sufi mystics of Sub-Continent. Said one of the performers.
