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stimulating lecture on the subject of Interfaith Dialogue between Islam and Buddhism communications for the Universal Peace
Dr William Selig, the director of
WASHINGTON, October 8, 2023: A
‘The Interfaith Dialogue Between Islam Federation, a United Nations NGO and
and Buddhism’ was delivered by Dr Im- Absolute Necessity: Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf a chaplain at the Inova Fair Oaks Hospi-
tiyaz Yusuf in Washington, DC, orga- tal in Fairfax, VA, appreciated the schol-
nized by Dr Zulfiqar Kazmi. Dr Kazmi arly work of Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf. He said
is an internationally known scholar, we urgently need to work and explore
International Affairs Analyst, Dialogue a way of coexistence with the Buddhist
expert and founder and Executive Di- community as we see it's the oldest reli-
rector of The Commongrounds USA. gion and inspiration for the faith-based
He is currently non-Resident Re- communities. He mentioned peace ini-
search Fellow at the Center for Con- tiatives of The Commongrounds and
temporary Islamic World (CICW), thankfully acknowledged the services
Shenandoah University, Leesburg, of Dr Kazmi to promote interreligious
USA. Formerly, he was an Associate cooperation and dialogue globally. Dr
Professor and Coordinator for the Is- Selig said we're grateful to Dr Yusuf for
lamization of Knowledge Program and his credible work and we may collabo-
also the Islam and Buddhism Program rate to promote it.
at the International Institute of Islamic Ms Shazia Shah of Maryland nar-
Thought and Civilization (ISTAC- rated her unique experiences while be-
IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr ing on Umarah in the cities of Makkah
Yusuf specializes in the study of Reli- and Madinah.
gion with focus on Muslim-Buddhist Mr Yuji Yokohama and his wife ex-
relations and dialogue, Islam in Thai- pressed thanks for the invitation. He
land and Southeast Asia. said that Dr Yusuf seems to be a great
Dr Zulfiqar Kazmi, the host, thanked when Muhammad was in the battle- to the need for dialogue to retrieve a an urgent need for dialogue between person to be connected with other re-
Dr Yusuf for providing us an opportu- field at Badr, Madinah, one of his deteriorating situation. This can be Islam and Budhasim. ligions. “I am originally from Buddhist
nity to disseminate the message of love golden rules was, ‘Do not destroy the done by drawing attention to the histo- Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf examined Islam's culture. I enjoyed listening to this en-
from the quarterdeck of The Common- temples and churches’, Fai asked? ry of relations, and availability of tools view of Buddhism as a non‐theistic tra- lightened scholar.”
grounds USA. He added, “I truly ap- Dr Fai added that he knows Dr for dialogue, between the Buddhist and dition, the history of relations between Dr Akbar Khawaja, a well know
preciate the service and leadership of Imtiyaz Yusuf for the last 44 years as Muslim people. these two traditions, themes and issues community leader said that it was an
respected Br Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf Sahib for a scholar, researcher, educator, and Dr Yusuf emphasized that mono- in Muslim–Buddhist dialogue, and the inspirational speech by Dr Yusuf, high-
Peace perspectives. It's a way to seek in- above all, as a decent human being and theistic religions—Judaism, Chris- implications of such dialogue for the con- lining similarities while recognizing
terreligious cooperation and help from dependable friend. tianity and Islam—have coexisted temporary religious scene. While Mus- differences between religions.
other religions. A dialogue between Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf began his speech with Buddhism in many parts of Asia lims and Buddhists have coexisted in dif- Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to
Buddhists and Muslims is a very unique by emphasizing that the religions of Is- for centuries. This led in the past to ferent parts of the world, their exchange President of Azad Kashmir, said, “I
subject and we must be thankful to Dr lam and Buddhism are different from dialogue as well as misunderstanding has been largely political, military, and had absolutely no idea that Buddhism
Imtiyaz for his credible service.” each other in terms of their doctrinal between the two at the doctrinal and economic, instead of doctrinal, and only also seeks harmonious relations with
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, and metaphysical understanding of social levels. We need to initiate dia- a few scholars have studied the relations Islam.”
World Forum for Peace and Justice, the cosmos. Yet, both have existed in logue between Islam and Buddhism between the two traditions in any detail. Sardar Zulfiqar Khan cherished lis-
speaking on the occasion said that in- a social relationship with each other through the Islamic concept of um- The contemporary dialogue between tening to Dr Yusuf’s passionate speech
terfaith dialogue is essential to create for centuries. This co‐existence has led matan wasa―an (Middle Nation) and Buddhism and Islam takes many forms. about interfaith dialogue.
an understanding between the follow- to adopting an attitude of “live and let the Buddhist concept of majjhima- Some converts to Buddhism attempt to Earlier, Dr Imtiaz Yusuf spoke at the
ers of different religions. In Islam, in- live” towards each other. There also patipada (Middle Way) as a means to overcome the ethnic divides between AMATA Meditation Center, Maryland.
terfaith dialogue has never been about have been instances of violence be- build understanding and harmony in Buddhists and Muslims and attempt to The host of the event was Dr Dham-
conversion but about conversation, tween the two religions as seen pres- Asian societies. The Buddha and the engage in a purely spiritual dialogue, leav- madipa Sak, leading Buddhist scholar,
communication and exchange of ideas. ently in southern Thailand. Prophet Mu―ammad (peace be on ing aside the historical and political rela- who is also a member of the Board of
The teachings of al-Qur’an urge us to Upon inquiry one finds that in him) as religious teachers explained tions between the two traditions. Trustees of the Parliament of the World
dialogue, even to argue with the people most cases the interreligious violence to humanity as to what the true state Lastly, Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf concluded Religions.
of the book but with two important is often caused by non‐religious factors is of being and how the illusions by saying that there are. two types of Others who attended the event in-
caveats: one, with wisdom and second such as ethnicity and economics rather which drag humanity through dark- interreligious ignorance – one is when cluded Javed Kousar, a well-known
in the best possible manner. It is only than religious or doctrinal differences. ness and injustice can be overcome. the followers of one religion do not journalist; Habib Nadibdar, Shoaib
through dialogue, Dr Fai stressed that Since the violent instances involve use In this age of globalization when know the other religion, and the sec- Irshad, Mohammad Zulqarnain, Mo-
our fellow countrymen could appreci- and exploitation of the concepts of re- physical barriers between various ond is when one does not want to learn hamad Arshad, Ms Tayaba Samina, Ms
ate the message of peace that is Islam. ligious differences by parties involved, societies in terms of material culture the religion of others. It’s up to us to Naila Alam, Ajaz Siddiqui, Khalid Ha-
Do our fellow countrymen know that the conflict requires us to pay attention are virtually being eliminated there is make a choice. mid, and Amir Stardom.

n By Elaine Pasquini and providing a sanctuary for any radical jihadist
Photos by Phil Pasquini Hudson Institute Debates America’s group,” he warned.
The only democratic forces fighting against
Washington, DC Best Options to Support NRF these terrorist groups, verified in a UN Security
wo years after the withdrawal of US- Council report a few months ago, is the National
led troops from Afghanistan, the Na- Resistance Front of Afghanistan, now based in
T tional Resistance Front of Afghani- Tajikistan, without any international support.
stan (NRF) continues to be the only credible “Basically, the policy we see in the international
and non-extremist armed opposition to the community is to appease the Taliban as much as
Taliban, but, unfortunately without any in- possible as if appeasement will change the situa-
ternational support. tion,” Nazary said. “The war on terror in Afghani-
On September 19, 2023, the Hudson Institute stan has not ended. Just because politicians decid-
hosted Ali Nazary, head of external relations for ed to leave Afghanistan doesn’t mean that the war
the NRF; Rep Mike Waltz (R-FL) an Army Special ended. It’s continuing and we’re the only forces
Forces veteran and former White House and Pen- today continuing the fight against terrorism.”
tagon advisor; and Hudson Institute senior fellow Contrary to the belief of some governments
Luke Coffey, to discuss the current state of resis- that the Taliban will sever ties with terrorism,
tance to the Taliban and America’s best options to Nazary argued that it is important for Washing-
support the NRF. ton to “adopt a realistic policy based on the reali-
Moderator, Nolan Peterson, a nonresident se- ties on the ground and start establishing commu-
nior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted NRF’s nication and relations with those who are fighting
34-year-old leader Ahmad Massoud is the son for democracy and who are actually fighting
of the legendary resistance leader Ahmad Shah against terrorism which we have proved to do so
Massoud – known as the lion of Panjshir – who in the last two years.”
was a leading mujahideen commander against In 2022, a political process began in Vienna
the Soviets in the 1980s and leader of the North- to unite the democratic forces of Afghanistan
ern Alliance opposing Taliban rule until his assas- more than 20 terrorist groups, including ISIS Pakistan in September and a foiled attack in Ta- including civil society, opposition like the NRF,
sination on September 9, 2001. and al-Qaeda, are operating in Afghanistan and jikistan are a “preview of what we are going to political parties and diplomats who have kept the
Opening the discussion, Nazary called Af- “striving to destabilize the region and the globe.” face in the region and beyond the region in the doors of the embassies open and are refusing to
ghanistan a “ticking bomb.” He noted that today The recent cross-border attacks in Chitral, years to come as long as the Taliban are in power (Continued on page 17)
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