Faisalabad: November 27, 2012. (PCP) Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation) in collaboration with Christian Study Centre (CSC) organized a seminar entitled “Learning to Live Together with Diversity and Differences” in conjunction with the Islamic holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram and international day of tolerance, to promote tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different communities regardless of differences. At the event, the speakers urged government to take decisive measures against extremists and terrorists sowing rifts, conflict, hatred and panic in the society, and take better security measures to protect citizens during Muharram, and emphasized the citizens and leaders from various faiths to join hands for interfaith harmony and peace in order to defeat extremism and anti-state elements. Speaking on the occasion, the project manager of the CSC, Fahmida Saleem said, "The Islam and Christianity share several common teachings preaching peace and brotherhood, which allow and create a space for a harmonious coexistence, therefore, their followers must work together towards the same direction rather than splitting their ways, and must jointly fight against the violent and intolerant elements aiming to ruin the peace process in Pakistan." The director of the PHD Foundation, Suneel Malik said, "The climate of peace only prevails where people from different communities and cultures live together without harming each other, and lasts when people in majority not only abstain from physical harm, but also restrain from causing even mental disturbance to weaker groups particularly religious and sectarian minorities." "The people of one faith must recognize and respect others' beliefs and ideologies, if they want their beliefs and ideas to be respected," he added. He further said, “Targeting peaceful processions during Moharam-ul-Haram is a shameful act of terrorists, therefore, citizens along with the government must be watchful from nefarious elements hatching conspiracy to disturb peace and harmony in Pakistan. Maulana Syed Jaffar Hussain Naqvi said, "Peace and harmony must not be promoted only in words, but also in concrete actions of peace. The people from different communities will develop strong ties with each other, once their leaders interact and work jointly for harmony and tolerance." A political worker of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Ataullah Niazi said, "No society can move forward or progress without tolerance and respect for diversity as the intolerant society leads to degradation. The violence in Karachi and Balochistan is a proof of intolerance among various ethnic groups; therefore we must resolve our difference and conflicts peacefully to avoid moving towards degrading society." A political worker of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Ashfaq Gujjar said, "The deterioration occurs in the society when the people set back values of love and peace taught in the religions, and create space for hatred and prejudice against different fellows, in their hearts and minds.” “Every person has to be self-accountable, and must have concerns for others rather than being self-centered, for peaceful coexistence," he added. The director of the Lyallpur Development Organization, Tahir Iqbal said, "The final sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the occasion of Hujja-Widah, and the first address of the founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the constituent assembly on 11th August 1947 are among the world’s best documents and guiding principles promoting interfaith harmony, therefore we must translate their words into actions in our practical lives." The executive secretary of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony said, "Non-violence and dialogue is an effective tactic to resolve conflicts and remove prejudice, therefore people from different faiths must come closer by taking joint initiatives for promotion of peace and harmony." The president of the CARE Foundation, Yousaf Adnan said, "Pakistan has been witnessing sectarian violence and intolerance causing loss of lives and desecration of spiritual processions and symbols, despite prohibition of fighting during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram by Islam, therefore violence in the name of religion and sect must be ended to prevent further and deeper divisions among people." The coordinator of the NCJP, Shafiq Sharif said, "The precedent set by the Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the beacon of light for the followers of the Christianity and Islam." A political worker of the Awami Workers Party Pakistan, Arif Ayaz said, "It is people’s mutual responsibility to respect others' faiths, rituals and viewpoints for the survival of humanity. The people from one faith are killing that of others, therefore inter-faith and inter-faith harmony and tolerance is must for peace-building and co-existence." The others among the speakers were: Asghar Shaheen (Freedom Bhatta Workers Union), Farkhanda Nazir and Iqbal Pirzaada, while Nazia Sardar (Director-AWAM) and Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM) were among the masters of the ceremony held on 18th November 2012 at TMA Hall in Tandlianwala, a sub-district of Faisalabad District.