Sheikhupura: July 29,2010: (By Fr, Inayat Bernard) “God has made human beings in a beautiful way, but man has spoiled his own image by exploiting others”. Muslim Social leader and an advocate Iftikhar Taeeb was talking to the 90 male participants of different religions at the Sheikhupura parish hall on the 28th of July during the peace conference organized by the National Council for Inter-faith Dialogue (NCID). He said that the politicians have divided the countrymen for their own personal benefit. Citing a short story he said that a Jew couple was not allowed to enter the city but in front of them one dog and a cat could easily enter because they did not have politicians in them who would divide them. Mr. Taeeb concluded that Islam, being the religion of shalom (peace), condemns the suicide attacks. He said that it could be legal by one group of people to kill others but the spirit of Islam forbids the killing of defenseless people and the Prophet of Islam forbids such act which is inhuman and unislamic. Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap ,the national coordinator of the NCID, thanked the participants to share their concern to promote peace in the neighborhood and in the society at large. He said that the dialogue should also take place with the terrorists to come to know their point of view who are fearlessly are ready to die. What is their driving force which compels them to kill themselves and other innocent human beings. He said that the peace promotion is the responsibility of all citizens of Pakistan belonging to any sect, denomination and religion. The corruption, high prices of things and intolerance has to give way to proper justice to all. He said that if there is no justice there can not be peace. Hence the respect of all human beings and provision of justice has to be seriously taken then only the peace will prevail. He said that the mutual respect and right to live is most essential and it has to be safeguarded by the civil society and the government of Pakistan. Syed Abbas Bukhari, joint secretary Punjab representing National Council for Interfaith Harmony Pakistan (NCIHP) said in the sideline that that the our people are not sincere in the peace process but they report the negative events to Europe and America. He said that if the thousands of NGOs working in the country were sincere, then there would a clear peaceful change in the society. Fr. Inayat Bernard, the media coordinator of the NCID said that when he was working for Radio Veritas Asia’s Urdu service at Manila, he was broadcasting the news of the efforts being made for peace by different institutions and organizations. The image of Pakistan has been distorted by the terrorists but the print and electronic media can play a positive role in the process of peace. Khalid Matto, District Chairman of NCIHP said that the process of peace should go on at the grass root level. He said that today’s conference was a step towards this process. He assured his cooperation from the government side to promote peace in different parts of the district sheikhupura. Fr. Samson Dilawar, the parish priest of Sheikhupra thanked the NICD to hold this peace conference in the district which is notorious for killing, rapes, discrimination of minorities, robbery and so on. He said that such gatherings will bring peace in our society. He said that the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinah had assured in his first speech in the constituent Assembly in Karachi on the 11th August,1948 that no religion will have anything to do with the affairs of the country but it will remain each hone’s personal practice. Fr. Samson concluded that the Christians have contributed for the creation of Pakistan, its’ stability and solidarity in all fields of life. It was because of the efforts of the Christian political leaders that the province o f Punjab was included in the present day Pakistan. He urged the need to many other programs to promote peace. The Sikh chief guest Sardar Janum Sigh, head of the Nankana Sahib Gurduwara (Worship place) built at the site of the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, said that no religion teaches violence but it is the responsibility of the religious leaders to teach their own congregation in the churches, mosques, Mandirs, Gurduwaras or any other place of worship to tell them to live and let live. He said that the peace starts from the mother’s womb. When the women talk gently to the others the hatred will give way to love and concern for all. Though in small number for promotion of peace, the process should go on and it will have positive effect on the minds of people. The Sheikhupra city was named after the Mughal king Jahangir who was called SHEIKHU by his father Akbar the Great. Jahangir was renowned for justice in his Kingdom in India before Pakistan came into being on 14th August,1947. In this district the corruption, killing, rape, robbery and intolerance is on rise and there is a dire need to have such peace conferences in the city and different towns in the district.