Iran Culture House, New Delhi in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University and Aligarh Interfaith Center, and Humanities Advanced Studies Institute, New Delhi organized a two-day international seminar titled “Peace Building, Human Brotherhood and Maqasid-e-Shariah”.

The inaugural session was held at the JNMC auditorium, AMU that featured eminent scholars, Sufis and Saints from the India and Iran.

Prof. Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Aligarh Interfaith Center, welcomed the guests and attendees, emphasizing that peace and harmony is the basic need of any country, but some self-interested people keep trying to disrupt the peace and unity by taking us away from kindness and moral values.

Prof. Abdul Hamid Fazili, Chairman, Department of Islamic Studies, said the world is facing numerous challenges such as increasing conflicts, rising intolerance, growing social inequality, and a disconnect among communities.

Maulana Syed Salman Husaini Nadvi said the way things are happening today around the globe threaten co-existence in societies, and intellectuals from all religions must unite to promote communal harmony and end hatred.

The chief guest, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad emphasised on promoting brotherhood among communities. He said some elements having vested interests are creating bitterness and hatred among the citizens which is spoiling the atmosphere of the country, so we need to remain alert and vigilant against such hate-mongers.

Addressing the gathering, Ayatullah Mahdi Mahdavipour from Iran said the teachings of Islam are based on specific goals and objectives which are compatible with human nature and thought. Among the main objectives of Islamic law are the protection of life and property, the protection of honour and justice, and promotion of brotherhood among communities. “From the point of view of Islam, religiosity is the achievement of moral excellence, and the leaders of all religions should cooperate with each other to strengthen moral values”, he added.

Ayatullah Mubalighi said good conduct and behaviour are among the main goals of Islam and the Muslim Ummah should always preach and practice justice for all, irrespective of religion, gender and race.

Ayatullah Nawab, V.C University of Religions & Denominations, Qum, Iran said India is a country that best reflects unity in diversity, enabling diverse groups to live in harmony.

Addressing the seminar, Shri Vrajendra Nandan Das said the main cause of suffering in our life is ignorance; that is why people start hating each other. It is necessary to understand the value of peaceful living.

Shri Vivek Muniji said we must unite in spreading the message of love, peace and brotherhood, while Dr. Chandrakitti emphasized the need to sit together to remove misconceptions and mistrust among the communities.