Cheng Ho Multi Culture Education Trust hold a forum on 3rd August, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the theme "Building Peace with Religious Education of Respects and Reverence: Starting from individual to the world".

Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, Honorary President and Ex-Moderator of Asian Conference of Religions for Peace / Religions for Peace Asia and Assistant Secretary General of World Muslim Congress, addressed the forum. He stressed on the need to select cardinal principles, subjects and teachings from different faiths preaching peace, harmony, human brotherhood, tolerance, forgiveness, patience, compassion and monitor to the taught all over the world. Following is the text of his speech:

"First of all I congratulate venerable Tan Sri Lee Yew chairman of Cheng Ho Multi Culture Education Trust and his colleagues for arranging this grand function in order to achieve the noble objectives of peace, human brotherhood and mutual respect for all faiths and people. It may appear as herculean task but nothing is impossible and unsurrnountale when there is a strong will & determination.

"The theme of this forum is not only most appropriate but it is the need of the time. I am confident that all the participants would put their heads together and ponder over the present volatile situations in order to land on safe pedestal.

"Peace building is continuous process. Peace is not only the absence of war but it is living in an atmosphere of justice and well being, giving human communities the opportunity collectively to reduce insecurities to tolerable, livable, even enjoyable levels. Common well being is inclusive, communal and international. It is also interactive.

"Now we have to shoulder the responsibility of building peace through different methods. But as people of faith and believers of human brotherhood we have to chalk out excellent workable programme based on religious fervour, tolerance, mutual respect and co-operation. First we have to keep in mind that Almighty God is Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of entire human race. His blessings are not confined to any race or religion. Almighty God immensely loves his creation the human beings.

"According to Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. Almighty God loves human beings seventy time than mother loves her child. So to please God we have to love the best of His creation and vicegerent. It is said that knowledge is power. Merely to be educated may not meet our requirements. One should not only be educated but should be knowledgeable. Studying different faiths and acquiring informations about it, one would be in a very comfortable position to interact with the followers of different faiths. Religious education is of paramount importance but if it is imbibed with modern education, it will be very productive and beneficial in Interfaith dialogue. Knowledge is so important in Islam that holy Quran mentions "ilm" and its derivatives 856 times, a record number.

"Now how to build peace with religious education and what methods to be applied in this contest. Efforts should be made to select cardinal principles, subjects and teachings from different faiths, preaching peace, harmony, human brotherhood, tolerance, forgiveness, patience, compassion and admonition and then compile the same in book form to be taught allover the world. Modern technology has made this task easy. International interfaith organizations and peace organizations can play a pivotal role in this regard.

"A critical multicultural and multi religious education is needed in all societies to enhance mutual respect, understanding and learning between and among all cultures, societies and religions. An international centre of peace can be established to project and impart the said objectives. Multi religious educational programme should be arranged in different countries to over come misinformation and distorted images. We have to emphasize the importance of peace. We have to let the people know the importance of peace by conducting courses in religious thought and practice. Cultural exchanges with meaningful religious dialogue and ecumenical back drop will be fruit bearing.

"Human rights violation leads to despair and violence. The inalienable human rights must be respected. If we examine the dialectics of faith and reason, rising above all prejudices, we will find that faith and reason are not only non contradictory but complimentary. Both are needed for meaningful dialogue and human existence.

"Today we are living in unipolar world, the greed of wealth and lack of tolerance have given birth to many explosive spots. Globalization is the other danger in offing. More than a billion people are living below the poverty line and their member is increasing. There is unbridgeable economic gap between the developed and developing countries. The unjust distribution of wealth will endanger the world peace if not addressed. The rich have to share some of their fortune with their poor & starving brothern to avoid any catastrophe.

"In every faith stress has been laid to help the poor, destitute and disabled persons. Thus over this issue we have to invoke & follow our religious teachings and extend helping hand to them. When we talk of poverty alleviation and socio economic uplift, Almighty God provided guidance and told Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. I quote from holy Qur'an:

"They ask you what they should spend say: whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents, kindred and orphans and those in want, for wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds truly Allah knows it well. God further says in holy Qur'an. "Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah, and do not follow it up with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their God".

"These Quranic verses are for the guidance of entire humanity. In order to combat terrorism, extremism, violence and injustice we must draw modest enlightened scholars, intellectuals, peace makers, peace seekers and religious leaders from different faiths and get them together under the umbrella of peace mission.

"Our motto should be love and reverence for all, malice and hatred for none: This mission must start from grass root expanding to area, country and world at large. We should educate the people that terrorism is not the solution of problems rather it is poison for human society which demolishes the process of peace and results in untold miseries. It has no place in any religion. It is the product and out come of destructive mind.

"Let us take the bright torch of peace, love and mutual respect to different corners of the world and extinguish the fire of hatred, revenge, mistrust and distrust. I would be failing in my duty if I do not applaud the services of venerable Tan Sri Lee Yew, the Chairman of Cheng Ho Trust, who is a great philanthropist, peace maker, humane and humanist, possessing extra ordinary qualities of head and heart. I wish him long life coupled with glory and extra ordinary achievements in life.

"The distinguished personality of venerable Master Chin Kung is most inspiring for all of us. We draw not only inspiration from his exalted self but he is a great source of guidance for the present generation. The rays of his wisdom, sagacity, acumen and vast knowledge will illuminate the darken portion of the planet.

"Before I conclude permit me to peep in the annals of history. The renowned Cheng Ho Multi Culture Education Trust symbolizes the mission of peace and exchange of culture etc which was initiated and pursued by the great Chinese admiral Cheng Ho in the 14th century A.D. Born in 1371 and died in 1435.

"Following the orders and desires of Emperor Yonle and his successor, Xuanda, he commanded seven voyages during 1405 to 1433 and visited forty countries and areas and his voyages remained peaceful never causing harm or arousing a sense of being threat to anyone. He neither occupied any country nor plundered its wealth. Like some other explorers he did not enslave the people nor he shed human blood. His voyages and mission was trade, enhancing the prestige of the Emperors of Ming Dynasty, promotion of commercial and cultural interflow and establishing cordial relation with other countries. For each voyage, his armada composed of 60 to 300 ships and about 28000 crew members. Typically his armada remained on seas for about two years. His voyages came a few decades before Christopher Columbus (1492); Vasco-da-Gama (1498) and Ferdinand Magellan (1521). Cheng Ho is mentioned in some books of western authors as Zheng He. Few years ago Gavin Menzies a retired Royal Navy officer wrote a book 1421: The year China discovered America, by putting forth his arguments that Zheng He / Cheng Ho sailed to Americas seven decades before Christopher Columbus. The author also made another claim that he sailed to the Americas from west and not from east, thus completing a near circumnavigation of globe.

"So let us follow the mission set forth by admiral Cheng Ho and spread the message of good will, peace and respect round the globe. It will not be only achievement of our noble goal but would also satisfy the soul of Cheng Ho."

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