Deputy U.S. Consul General, Ambassador Imam Allama Ahsan Siddiqui, Deputy Consul General Germany, Anila ali with Civil society, prominent faiths leaders, clergy, activists, and diplomats joined the conversation about religious Freedom religious communities to discussed the IRF and FoRB for all.
An International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable 2023 was held in Karachi to address the alarming increase in the religiously motivated violence. Members of religious minorities and marginalized communities convened to discuss the threats and develop a set of recommendations to end this violence. The IRF Roundtable for Pakistan is a convenor of NGOs and individuals from any and no faith that work for freedom of religion or belief. They launch multi-faith initiatives and letters that any participant group proposes. They meet regularly both exclusively as NGOs and together with government representatives. International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable fostered a safe and open environment where everyone, regardless of their faith, could openly speak up, share their stories, and advocate for change.
The IRF Roundtable for Pakistan defines particularly severe violations of religious freedom as systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, including violations such as torture, degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges, abduction or clandestine detention, or another flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of persons.
IRF Roundtable for Pakistan was moderated by Anila Ali, Chair and Ambassador at Large for Global Peace & Human Rights Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui, Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable in Pakistan and Chairman Interfaith Commission for Peace &’Harmony (ICPH). The event was facilitated by Elizabeth Morris, women’s rights activist, Rehan Mustafa, Kurrm Siddiqui and hosted by the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) and Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH).
Chief Guest US Deputy Consul General Liam O’Flanagan, Karachi. German Consul and Deputy Head if mission Andreas Wegner Bishop Kaleem John, US Political and Human Rights officer Michael Gibbs, MNA Dr Ramish Vakwani, Mufti Noman Naeem, Majeed Aziz Bisness community leaders, Sardar Ramish Singh chief Patron Pakistan Sikh Council, Kashif Kelash Kumar Sarhadi, Sardar Bishan Das Singh, Bindia Rana President GIA, Sanam, Sufi Muddasir Shah, Seemb Asif, Qari Muhammad irfan, Anitan (Hindu Women ) Youth Ambassador muhammad Riaz, Hina, Pastor Amjad Farooq, Adam (United States) Dr Farhad Al Mashraqi, Imam Hassan (Bahiai Faith), Dr Gobind Herani (Buddhist) Syed Jibran (Media) Civil Society and other participants.
United States Karachi Deputy Consul General Liam O’Flanagan said that emphasized the importance of religious toleration and inclusion at the second annual International Religious Freedom Roundtable in Karachi. He stressed how economic inclusion and equitable educational opportunities for all furthers religious freedom and contributes to vibrant economic growth for believers of all faiths.
Ambassador Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui said that would Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH) and IRF Roundtable for Pakistan continue to defend freedom of expression and political and religious liberty in the country founded by Quaid-e-Azam. He said that efforts were being made to impose a certain ideology in the country in the guise of religion, which was contrary to the philosophy of Quaid-e-Azam and that could not be allowed under any circumstances. He said religious freedom is a fundamental human right. He condemned the incidents of taking the law into their own hands in the wake of blasphemy.
The ICPH Chairman Imam Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui said that culprits involved in Pakistan incidents should be brought to justice at the earliest, saying it would help build the confidence of the people in law enforcement agencies and the judicial system. Ambassador Allama Ahsan said that Gov’t must take concrete steps for the protection of human rights. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, imagined that Pakistan would become a peaceful country, where there would be no discrimination, no intolerance and no violence and all citizens could enjoy the same rights and the same opportunities, free to practice their faith. Minorities in Pakistan are free to practise their respective religions. Minorities in Pakistan are free to practise religion. Article-5 of the Constitution provides “adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practise their religions and develop their cultures. There is no discrimination against minorities in the Constitution of Pakistani nor there exists any animosity against minorities at the level of Pakistani society. Therefore, let’s not allow agenda-driven exploitation of the Pakistani State and society in the name of minorities. All Pakistanis are united and one under the Constitution of Pakistan-1973. Today the government must introduce reforms in laws and policies that affect minorities. Calling for respect for the rights of religious minorities, observing: “It is necessary that institutions and citizens openly accept religious diversity and equality of status between citizens of different religions and it is up to the federal and provincial governments to fill the gaps in governance and address the serious problems that minorities face in Pakistan. Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH) always raise voice for equality, religious freedom. Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH) believes in serving the people without discrimination on the basis of religion, caste and creed.
German Consul Andreas Wegner said that religious freedom can only be achieved through a disconnection of the State from Religion, both separately embedded in the society and securing the balance of power. He shared the German position on harmony at the International Religious Roundtable. Consul Andreas Wegner said that I thank you to Ambassador Imam Allama Ahsan Sidiqui and the Interfaith Commission for Peace and Harmony (ICPH) team and colleagues for a lively event and for your hospitality. We are looking forward to upcoming events.
The Anila Ali, Chair IRF Roundtable for Pakistan said that Rights, religious freedom and education: effective laws and policies for the protection of minorities are urgently needed. Present in national and provincial legislation a bill that classifies forced conversions as a crime, establishing permanent commissions in Parliament. Anila Ali said that, guarantee that reports of forced marriages and conversions are investigated independently, impartially and quickly, guaranteeing the right to a fair trial and access to justice for victims. In order to ensure equal religious rights, freedom and tolerance in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan, ICPH leaders of various religious minority communities has called on federal and provincial governments a Memorandum calling.
The AMMWEC Chairman Anila Ali, said that review the curricula and textbooks adopted in public schools to ensure that education is a tool to promote diversity and social cohesion, in accordance with article 22 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees that “no person who attends an educational institution must receive religious instruction. This right of freedom to live and express is embedded in the Constitution of Pakistan. The basis of the constitutional provisions are derived from the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The Pakistani goverment must clearly and publicly condemn such acts instead of giving into them. Every reported act of violence against minorities must be promptly investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice. A recurrence can only be prevented if adequate measures are taken.
The IRF Roundtable members also discussed a need for stronger voices from Muslim clerics on behalf of minorities. Additionally, the members discussed how to create a national IRF Roundtable Pakistan task force on hate. This could send alongside the National minority task force. In the IRF roundtable it was discussed that authentic data is needed and more research is needed to formulate better policies, android better recommendations for the protection of minorities and vulnerable communities in Pakistan. The Roundtable members suggested a conscious inclusion of minorities in publics and private workforce. They also decided to promote the inclusion of women in the labor force which will help uplift Pakistanis from poverty. The IRF Pakistan task force will set up a toll-free anonymous tips number. That would work with the law enforcement and other civil rights groups. During the IRF conference, it was also suggested that more Interfaith groups from Europe and America should visit Pakistan and vice versa. This would be the best way to share best practices and bridge the divides.
The IRF Roundtable for Pakistan declared that violence against a person on allegations of blasphemy was contrary to Shariah, Constitution, and humanity. The IRF Roundtable for Pakistan suggested the constitution of a national commission that would forward recommendations to prevent such incidents. Ensure that all those who incite or commit acts of violence against others based on accusations of blasphemy, as well as those who falsely accuse others of blasphemy, are brought to justice and duly punished.
In the end of IRF roundtable conference Chief Guest US Karachi Deputy Consul General Liam O’Flanagan, and German Consul and Deputy Head if mission Andreas Wegner distributed souvenirs, and Award to the faith’s leaders and members.
