Tokyo: Molana Syed Muhammad Abd-ul-Khabir Azad, Great Imam & Khateeb Badshahi Mosque, Lahore and Reverend Dr. James Channan OP, Director Peace Center, Lahore met with the Ambassador. They discussed the matters of mutual interest including role of religious scholars in promoting peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony in the society.
Molana Azad informed the Ambassador about their endeavours to establish peace and tolerance among and between different religions in Pakistan and abroad. Their present visit to Japan was, he said, a part of this effort and included participation in the ‘Symphony of Peace’ prayers – a Global Celebration of Harmony and Oneness where 50 scholars belonging to different world religions from all over the world participated. Molana Azad described in detail his positive message for religious harmony.
The Ambassador expressed deep appreciation of the efforts of Molana Azad and Rev. Channan to promote interfaith harmony and said that their participation from Pakistan in the Peace Conference at Mount Fuji in Japan would go a long way in promoting the positive and true image of Islam and Pakistan to the world in general and Japan in particular.
Agreeing with Molana Azad and Reverend Channan, the Ambassador reiterated that people in Pakistan were peace loving and tolerant, living together peacefully for centuries. The rich harmony and tolerance of Pakistan needed to be effectively conveyed to the Japanese society and therefore the noble efforts of Molana Azad and Reverend Channan would greatly help in this regard.
