Paths to Achieving Respect Among Religions in a Seminar at NDWBF 2024

The Muslim Council of Elders hosted its third seminar at the New Delhi World Book Fair, titled "Mutual Respect Among Religions" by Father M. D. Thomas, the Director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace in New Delhi, and Sheikh Manzoor Ahmed, the Editor-in-Chief of World Urdu Service. Participants in the seminar, held at Pavilion H05 in Hall 4 in Pragati Maidan, emphasized the importance of utilizing knowledge to address various problems and challenges.

During the session, Father Thomas explained the significance of respecting the beliefs of others, emphasizing that it contributes to building societies based on mutual and peaceful coexistence. He also noted that India is a prominent example of peaceful coexistence among diverse religions, where different faiths peacefully coexist side by side.

The Director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace in New Delhi praised the efforts of the Muslim Council of Elders and its initiatives under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in promoting global peace and coexistence. He also affirmed that Islamic teachings are clear about fostering harmony and peaceful coexistence with others.

For his part, Sheikh Manzoor Ahmed reiterated the principle of "One Nation, One Society," emphasizing the need to confront those who exploit religion for divisive purposes. He added that that no religion promotes hatred, and therefore, knowledge is the society's weapon to combat ignorance, hate speech, and extremism.