Interfaith dialogue the only way to combat Islamophobia: Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

In a special statement marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia being observed around the world on March 15, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that Islam is a religion of peace. He said that there is dire need to carefully study the Madina Pact document in order to understand the universal message of Islam. He said that it was through the Madina Pact that the State of Madina came into being, which was populated by the followers of different religions and the people of the various tribes.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the Holy Prophet (SAW), the Prophet of mercy and love for the whole mankind, protected every culture and religion through the Madina Pact and gave a constitutional guarantee of life, dignity and property. The Last Prophet of Allah (SAW) founded the international society on the basis of the principle of peaceful coexistence. He said that Islam is the only religion in which the unjust killing of one person has been equated with the killing of the whole of humanity.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that Islam is a universal code of life that is premised on the teachings of respect for humanity and mutual tolerance. He said that Islam champions the idea of international brotherhood, adding that justice, protection of the worship places of all communities, equality before and the rule of law, and interfaith harmony are building blocks of this order. He said that it is unfortunate that some elements misinterpret and misreport the Islamic teachings on account of their lack of sufficient understanding.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri stated categorically that Islam has nothing to do with extremism and terrorism, stating that it considers violence and chaos in the land as the biggest mischief. He said that the United Nations deserves to be lauded for observing the International Day to Combat Islamophobia as one of the internationally accredited days on its calendar. He said that such an initiative would pave the way for the initiation of long overdue interfaith dialogue.