Interfaith Dialogue Conference at Lahore

Theme: To promote religious harmony, tolerance, and national unity
Organized by: Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs Islamabad, Pakistan
Date: April 13,2025
Venue: Faletti’s Hotel Lahore

A prestigious Interfaith Dialogue Conference was held on April 13, 2025, in Faletti’s Hotel Lahore, organized by the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Islamabad. The conference brought together prominent religious leaders, government officials, scholars, and social representatives from across Pakistan.
The primary objective of the conference was to promote religious harmony, tolerance, and national unity, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence among all faith communities.

The conference was graced by several distinguished leaders and representatives, including:
•    Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf
•    Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora
•    Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Khalil Das Kohistani
•    Chairman, Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi
•    Chairman, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad
•    Shia scholar, Allama Dr. Muhammad Hussain Akbar
•    Christian representative, Fr. James Channan OP
•    Representative of the Bahá?í Community, Dr. Ruhiya Mufdi
•    Dr. Faramarz Roshni
•    Islamic scholar, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer
•    Hindu representative, Pandit Bhagat Lal
Approximately 1,500 additional Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Bahá?í religious leaders and participants attended the conference, reflecting its national significance and broad-based representation.
The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony emphasized that Pakistan guarantees equal rights to followers of all religions under its Constitution. He reiterated the government’s firm commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and underscored the importance of organizing such conferences nationwide to strengthen peace and unity.
He urged all sectors of society—religious institutions, civil society, and government bodies—to work collectively toward building a tolerant and harmonious nation.
The Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs highlighted that religious minorities are a proud and valuable asset of Pakistan. He emphasized the shared responsibility of building a society rooted in respect, dignity, and mutual love rather than hatred and division.
He further stated that the Punjab government is actively implementing initiatives to eliminate religious animosity and ensure peace and harmony across the province. He reaffirmed that the protection of religious minorities and safeguarding all places of worship remain top priorities of the government.
Addressing global concerns, he spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Gaza, urging the international community to raise a collective voice for justice and global peace.
All speakers collectively emphasized that every religion teaches peace, love, compassion, and humanity. They stressed that these shared values must not remain theoretical but should be actively practiced in daily life.
Participants pledged to continue working at local, provincial, and national levels to:
•    Promote religious tolerance
•    Strengthen national unity
•    Foster dialogue and mutual understanding
•    Support peaceful coexistence among all faith communities
The Christian community was represented by Fr. James Channan OP, who contributed to the dialogue and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to peacebuilding, interreligious dialogue, and national harmony.
The presence of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Bahá?í leaders demonstrated a strong spirit of unity and collaboration among diverse faith traditions.
The Interfaith Dialogue Conference in Lahore was a grand and highly successful event, reflecting Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote interreligious harmony and national solidarity.
The large participation of religious scholars, government officials, and faith leaders highlighted the collective resolve to build a peaceful and inclusive society.
The Government of Pakistan is commendably taking initiatives to promote interfaith harmony at all levels of society. Such conferences serve as a powerful platform for dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative peacebuilding across the country.
Prepared by:
Asher Nazir
Executive Secretary
Peace Center Lahore