7th World Religions Conference concludes with participation of Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi

Minhaj University’s role in promoting knowledge and peace is exemplary, says KP Governor
Dr. Hassan Qadri's address, majority of best research paper awards won by women

Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, addressed the closing session of the 7th World Religions Conference organized by Minhaj University Lahore. He urged the world to support Pakistan and its people, who have fought a long war against terrorism for global peace, stability, and public welfare. He emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace, not terrorism, and commended Minhaj University Lahore for organizing an interfaith dialogue on such a critical topic, calling it a commendable national, religious, and moral service.

He expressed appreciation to Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s contributions to the promotion of knowledge and peace. Minhaj University's role in this regard is exemplary. Women scholars received the majority of the Best Research Paper Awards.

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, stated in his lecture that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), through the Charter of Medina, provided security for life, property, and religious obligations to followers of all religions within the state of Medina. He highlighted that implementing the Medina model could turn this world into a paradise.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of Minhaj University, Professor Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, congratulated international guest scholars and Pakistani scholars for presenting their research at the conference. Additional Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ata-ur-Rehman, emphasized that protecting minority communities' property and religious freedom is a priority.

The conference featured scholars from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, Egypt, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Norway, the Maldives, and South Korea, who presented papers on promoting interfaith tolerance and eradicating extremism.

Professor Dr. Rohan Gunaratna from Singapore praised Pakistan's positive environment for religious tolerance and suggested that sustainable peace and prosperity could be achieved by providing youth with technical training and psychological counseling. He added that by focusing on vocational education and training, Pakistan can achieve its goals of peace and prosperity. Pakistan, as a hub of ancient civilizations, can benefit greatly from the decisive role of scholars, media, and higher education institutions in combating intolerance.

Dr. Ayesha Johnson Khokhar's research paper won the first position, while Aqsa, Ayesha Khalid, Tahreem Fatima, Neelam Javed, and Faiza Maryam received Best Paper Awards. At the end of the event, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi inaugurated the GRACE Database, established by Minhaj University as an archive of peace-related research from around the world, which will be accessible to policymakers.

Dr. Ali Waqar Qadri, Dr. Raja Adnan Razaq, Professor Dr. Shanti Kumar, Dr. Farooq Rana, and Mr. J. Singh Bia participated in the panel discussion. The closing session was attended by Minhaj University Lahore’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sajid Mahmood Shahzad, Registrar Dr. Khurram Shahzad, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur (Secretary-General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International), Barrister Amir Hassan, legal expert Azhar Siddique Advocate, Brigadier (Retd) Iqbal Ahmed Khan, along with Deans, Heads of Departments, faculty members, and lecturers from various academic departments of Minhaj University.