International Religious Freedom Roundtable 2023 Held in Karachi
An interfaith dialogue - ‘International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable 2023’ - was held in Karachi to address the alarming rise in religiously motivated violence. It brought together NGOs and individuals who strenuously work for freedom of religion and faith.
The Roundtable participants launch multi-faith initiatives and letters that any participating group proposes. They meet regularly, both exclusively as NGOs and together with government representatives. The International Religious Freedom Roundtable thus has fostered a safe and open environment where everyone, regardless of their faith, can openly speak up, share their stories, and advocate for change.
The Roundtable provides an opportunity to members of religious minorities and marginalized communities to get together to discuss growing threats and frame a set of recommendations to put an end to rising violence.
IRF Roundtable for Pakistan was moderated by Anila Ali, Chair and Ambassador at Large for Global Peace & Human Rights; Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui, Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable in Pakistan and Chairman Interfaith Commission for Peace &’Harmony (ICPH). The event was facilitated by Elizabeth Morris, women’s rights activist, Rehan Mustafa, Kurrm Siddiqui and hosted by the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) and Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH).
The Chief Guest was US Deputy Consul General Liam O'Flanagan, Karachi. The participants included German Consul and Deputy Head of Mission Andreas Wegner, Bishop Kaleem John, US Political and Human Rights Officer Michael Gibbs, MNA Dr Ramish Vakwani, Mufti Noman Naeem, Majeed Aziz, business community leaders, Sardar Ramish Singh chief Patron Pakistan Sikh Council, Kashif Kelash Kumar Sarhadi, Sardar Bishan Das Singh, Bindia Rana President GIA, Sanam, Sufi Muddasir Shah, Seemb Asif, Qari Muhammad Irfan, Anitan (Hindu Women ), Youth Ambassador Muhammad Riaz, Hina, Pastor Amjad Farooq, Adam (United States) Dr Farhad Al Mashraqi, Imam Hassan (Bahiai faith), Dr Gobind Herani (Buddhist) Syed Jibran (Media), Civil Society and others.
In his remarks on the occasion, US Deputy Consul General Liam O'Flanagan stressed the importance of religious tolerance. He emphasized that economic inclusion and equitable educational opportunities for all contribute to religious freedom and ensure sustained economic growth for believers of all faiths.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui observed that Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH) and IRF Roundtable for Pakistan continue to facilitate freedom of expression and political as well as religious liberty in the country founded by the Quaid-i-Azam. He said that efforts were being made to impose a certain ideology in the country in the guise of religion, which was contrary to the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and could not be allowed under any circumstances. He stressed that religious freedom is a fundamental human right.
The ICPH Chairman Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui said that those involved in violent incidents should be brought to justice at the earliest to build the confidence of the people in the law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. Ambassador Ahsan exhorted the government to take concrete steps for the protection of human rights. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, desired that all citizens of the country should enjoy the same rights and be free to practice their faith. Minorities in Pakistan are free to practice their respective religions. The minorities in Pakistan are free to practice their faith. Article-5 of the Constitution provides that “adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures. There is no discrimination against minorities in the Constitution of Pakistani nor there exists any animosity against minorities at the level of the Pakistan society. Therefore, let’s not allow agenda-driven exploitation of the Pakistani State and society in the name of minorities. All Pakistanis are united and one under the Constitution of Pakistan. Today the government must introduce reforms in laws and policies that affect minorities. Calling for respect for the rights of religious minorities, he observed: "It is necessary that institutions and citizens openly accept religious diversity and equality of status between citizens of different religions, and it is up to the federal and provincial governments to fill the gaps in governance and address the serious problems that minorities face in Pakistan. The Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH) always raises its voice for equality and religious freedom.
Ms Anila Ali, Chair IRF Roundtable for Pakistan, in her address said that effective laws and policies for the protection of minorities are urgently needed. Present in national and provincial legislation is a bill that classifies forced conversions as a crime. Anila Ali strongly felt that reports of forced marriages and conversions are investigated independently, impartially and quickly, guaranteeing the right to fair trial and access to justice for the victims.
The IRF Roundtable for Pakistan declared that violence against a person on allegations of blasphemy was contrary to Shariah, Constitution, and humanity. It suggested the constitution of a national commission that would frame recommendations to prevent such incidents and ensure that all those who incite or commit acts of violence against others based on accusations of blasphemy, as well as those who falsely accuse others of blasphemy, are brought to justice and duly punished.
At the end of the IRF Roundtable Conference the Chief Guest, US Deputy Consul General Liam O'Flanagan, and German Consul and Deputy Head of Mission Andreas Wegner, distributed souvenirs and awards among faith leaders and members.
