Islamabad: Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq Secretary General of the World Muslim Congress has stressed that Interfaith tolerance based on the idea of mutual respect and belief that the entire humanity is the family of the same Creator, should be the basis of elementary education.
In response to ECOSOC's high level segment pertaining to the role of Education in achieving Millennium goals, Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, said special emphasis should be laid on education of ethnic and religious minorities internally displaced passes and refugees forced to leave then breathes and homes doubt wars, internal strife, armed conflicts and natural calamities.
Following is the text of his statement:
"World Muslim Congress has studied the subject extensively and feels that a very large number of countries have improved their literacy rates but the standard of education has not improved. The wholesome development of youth largely depends on the environment of the educational institutions, the standard of training of the teaching staff, the system of transport available, and the facilities of libraries, besides financial constraints on the students or their parents.
"A very large number of dropouts consist of very bright students who have to work to earn their fees and other expenses. There is no system or it is not quite enough of grants or award of scholarships to the needy students. Educational institutions, besides government and local councils, institutions must provide this facility generously. Money spent on education, adds to the wholesome development of the society. Many social evils, especially the scourge of terrorism is linked to lack of proper educational opportunities.
"Lack of knowledge about other religious communities and fundamentals of their faith causes hatred, friction and violence. A tolerant world cannot be brought about without giving proper education to young minds. Once prejudices take roots, it is difficult to correct them. Interfaith tolerance, based on the idea of mutual respect and belief that the entire humanity is the family of the same Creator, should be the basis of elementary education.
"World Muslim Congress is providing educational scholarships to over three hundred students, belonging to over twenty countries.
"Special emphasis should be laid on the education of ethnic and religious minorities; internally displaced persons and refugees, forced to leave their homes and hearths due to wars, internal strife and armed conflicts and natural calamities. In this context, UNHCR should be strengthened financially as well as evolving cooperation between the host governments and the agencies."
