JUH’s multi-religious conference vows to eliminate differences, establish peace

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) A multi-religious conference organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) here on Sunday vowed to establish peace and communal harmony in the country and adopted a declaration underlining that any kind of violence against innocent persons is anti-Islamic.

The conference named "Aman and Ekta Sammelan" saw participation from top religious leaders of various faiths and sects besides several thousand Islamic clerics from across the country.

The conference presided over by JUH President Maulana Syed Mohammed Usman Mansoorpuri, had Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram Rishikesh as the chief guest and was addressed by Akal Takht Amritsar Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jain guru Acharya Lokesh Muni, head of Drikung Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Chinmiya Mission Chennai leader Swami Mitranand, Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya, Gandhian Shankar Sanyal and Pandit N.K. Sharma, President, Universal Association for Spiritual Awareness.

Addressing the conference, JUH General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani said that majority of Indians are peace loving and stressed that Islam is the religion of dialogue with no place for violence.

"The majority of Indian people are peace-loving. Peace is in India's DNA. We do have differences with each other, but we cannot be enemies," he said.

Giani Gurbachan Singh said that all religious texts and founders of religions have stressed on peace and urged people of different faiths to live like a family. He said that India equally belongs to people of all faiths and sects and not to any single community or faith.

"Faiths may be different but they all lead to one ultimate truth, much like the purpose of water is to quench thirst no matter if it is called pani, aab or water," he said.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati said that it is wrong to blame Islam for the wrongdoings of a few people and urged the people to work unitedly to alleviate poverty from India and to preserve its environment as he presented a plant to the JUH President.

"Today's conference has been organised to bridge the gulfs and erase the differences. We have to spread the message of Islam which is that of peace," he said.

Acharya Lokesh Muni said that differences of opinion are bound to be there in any society but there must not be any bitterness or enmity with each other due to these differences.

"Violence begets violence. Violence is not solution to anything. We can resolve every issue through discussion," he said.

Rinpoche said that all religions teach love, compassion and peace and that what people should practice.

The Declaration adopted at, and ratified, by the conference amidst slogans of 'Hindustan zindabad' said: "In this crucial time...no longre shall words and acts of hatred and division be tolerated. We pledge to unify across all sects, faiths, castes and creeds to lend our hands and hearts for a new era dedicated to greener and more harmonious future, in which all are included, none is excluded and fellowship reigns true."

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