Leaders Discuss Global Peace, Interfaith Harmony, and Mutual Respect Among Religions
Chairman of Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, met Pope Leo at the Vatican, in a gathering attended by prominent religious scholars, clerics, and faith leaders from around the world. The meeting focused on advancing global peace, interfaith harmony, and mutual understanding among religions, highlighting the shared responsibility of faith leaders in promoting tolerance and unity.
During the discussion, both Maulana Azad and Pope Leo emphasized the urgent need for dialogue between different faiths to counter rising intolerance and violence. They agreed that strengthening interreligious cooperation is essential to building a peaceful global community rooted in compassion and respect.
Call for Peace, Respect, and Understanding Among Faiths
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad presented the Pope with a copy of the book “Paigham-e-Pakistan”, a national document promoting peace, moderation, and coexistence. He noted that interfaith harmony is the need of the hour, asserting that meaningful dialogue between faiths can pave the way for lasting peace across the world.
He urged religious leaders and communities to reject extremist attitudes and embrace respect for humanity, regardless of belief or background. “Dialogue is the key to peace,” he said, “and through understanding and cooperation, we can eliminate hatred and foster unity among nations.”
In response, Pope Leo lauded Maulana Azad’s commitment to promoting peace and acknowledged the importance of interfaith dialogue in addressing global challenges. He underscored the value of strengthening ties among religions to enhance mutual trust and cooperation, calling on all faith leaders to work collectively toward a more just and harmonious world.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad also extended an invitation to Pope Leo to visit Pakistan, expressing hope that such a visit would further deepen relations between the Vatican and Pakistan’s religious communities while reinforcing shared values of peace and mutual respect.
