The theme of the General Assembly, was "Unity and Harmony in Asia"

Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, Honorary President and former Moderator of Asian Conference of Religions for Peace/Religions for Peace Asia, Former International President of W.C.R.P, President of W.C.R.P/A.C.R.P. Pakistan Chapter and former Federal Minister of Pakistan.

General Assembly in which he made a plea to the assembly to spare no efforts in bringing peace, unity and harmony in Asia in particular and the world in General.

Following is the text of his address:

The theme chosen for the 8th General Assembly of A.C.R.P is very appropriate and is the need of the time.

Asia is the cradle of the oldest human civilization and is the birth place of all the great religions of the world. It is the largest continent and it has more than half of the world population. Unity and harmony is the need of entire world. But Asia being centre of strifes and victim of terrorism, needs special attention and ceaseless efforts to extinguish the fire of lawlessness and kindle the torch of peace, unity and harmony for the peaceful living and co-existence of people in Asia in particular and the world in general.

To achieve these objectives we have to rise above our territorial, ethnic, religious, sectarian and political affiliations and forge unity for common goal. We have to block the way of foreign interference which is often launched for their political and financial gains.

"We have to use religion as weapon of peace, understanding, common living and respect for each other rights being the basic theme of all faiths.

The people are lucky to have taken a lesson from devastation of religious extremism in 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and World War 1 and War 2. They diverted their resources towards development and settled their disputes and forged unity in the shape of European Union which will prove as launching pad for prosperity. In Asia there are certain unresolved disputes among the nations which endanger peace and sometimes result in armed conflicts. Besides it there are foreign troops stationed in certain countries which may be a cause of menace.

In 2nd world war Asia faced untold devastation and the hounds of war in shape of poverty, ignorance, disease and skepticism which are still prevalent. There seems tension among certain countries either over territorial water or border demarcation. Among certain countries of South East Asia viz China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Philippine, Malaysia and Brunei Darul Salam there are claims and counter claims on certain Islands. The standoff between Arab Countries and Israel over Palestine issue.

There exists tension between North & South Korea. The six nations commission could not resolve this issue nor could it lead to the peaceful reunification of Korea. Similarly between India and Pakistan, there are certain issues which hinder peace in the area and both countries have to allocate major portions of their budget for defense resulting in the alarming increase in the number of people below the poverty line.

During the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Muslim volunteers came from different parts of the World to fight against Soviet Union. U.S.A, Pakistan and certain other countries lent unstinted support against foreign invasion. After Geneva accord signed in 1988, and exit of Russians, no efforts were made to set the house in order in Afghanistan neither any government with consensus was formed. The Mujahedeen/ volunteers were not sent back to their countries. The result was chaos which paved the way for Taliban regime.

After 9/11 U.S.A troops supported by other N.A.T.O troops arrived there. The Taliban Regime was toppled but peace could not be restored there. The terrorists turned their guns towards Pakistan who was the most important ally of U.S.A against terror in Afghanistan. The people of the tribal belt of Pakistan, people of Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa and Baluchistan faced great human and fiscal loss. About one hundred thousand people are killed so far including a large number of defence personnel.

Pakistan is still in grip of terrorism and has launched fully fledged operation against terrorists in federally administered territory. The entire population of North Waziristan had to leave homes and hearths and seeks shelter in the Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa province and are living in the scorching heat in tents.

After the withdrawal of U.S forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan has again to face the wrath from across the border. Pakistan has to take care of large number of Afghan Refugees since 1979 which has put its economy in shambles.

The after effects of the Arab spring were also felt in the Middle East. There was uprising in some Arab countries. Recent uprising against the regime of President Bashaar Ul Asad in Syria and the armed struggle by a Sunni Muslim organization known as the Islamic state of Iraq and sham(Syria) I.S.I.S against the regime of prime Minister Nuri Al Malki in Iraq has resulted in the killing of large number of people and rendering large number of people refugees. This fight will engulf other neighboring countries. Let me point out when the U.S was about to launch its 2003 military invasion of Iraq on the pretext of weapons of Mass destruction. The secretary general of Arab league Mr. Amr Moussa, warmed persistently, "you will open the gates of hell".

About the U.S attack on Iraq Mr. John Kerry the U.S Secretary of State recently stated that it was blunder of United States.

General Tony Zinni former commander in chief of U.S central command has written about the financial and human loss in his book "The Battle for Peace".

"The Invasion and occupation of Iraq has so far cost our nation something like 300 billion dollar of our not-inexhaustible treasure, and over 2000 American and many more Iraqi lives. Could we have put half that amount to better use in the years before September 2001, building stability and order in the region".

Now when Iraq is in the grip of insurgency, the destruction is obvious and it may lead to the bifurcation of Iraq. The responsibility will lie on the shoulders of Prime Minister Mr. Nur Al Maliki who ignored one section of population in power sharing for his ulterior motive. The terrorism in Yemen is also alarming. The Rohingyas a Muslim minority's persecution in Myanmar needs urgent attention. The government of Myanmar is determined to wipe out these poor people. It needs immediate solution. There are some signs of unrest in Sri Lanka also.

The peace in Africa and Asia has deteriorated steadily over the last seven years, with wars, military attacks and crimes, reversing six decades of gradual improvement, a global security report said, conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan and central African Republic in particular helped drag down the annual global peace index particularly in Asia according to the Australia based Institute for Economics and peace (IEP)

In particular rising number of people killed in militant attacks across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa while murder rates rose in the emerging world growing urban centres. More people also became refugees by fleeing the fighting. "There seems to be range of causes". Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of I.E.P said. "You have the repercussion of Arab spring, the rise of terrorism particularly the invasion of Iraq and repercussion of global financial crises."

Let me point out that America's hawks are pressing the administration to launch air strikes against I.S.I.S, if need, in tandem with Iran. But president Obama has been wise to deflect their pressure, hold back air strikes and keep his option open in view of the U.S past mistakes or remorse for massive suffering inflicted on Iraqi people.

Europe learnt lesson from the devastation of wars and turned towards unity and economic well being of the people. Formation of European Union is the Glaring example of their wise decision. Once worst enemies like Germany, Italy, France, Russia and United Kingdom etc are working under the same umbrella. It is a good omen for peace. Europe has replaced religious extremism of 16th and 17th centuries by liberalism and tolerance. The Asian nations should follow their precedent and must forge unity for the well fare of the future generations.

Life says a fine Greek adage, "is the gift of nature, but beautiful living is the gift of wisdom"". For achieving unity and Harmony certain norms are to be observed viz tolerance, mutual respect, patience, non interference, social justice and helping each other.

Now let me explain tolerance. The United Nations through its agency UNESCO approved the famous declaration of principles of tolerance in 1995 which has defined tolerance as:

"Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.

It is forested by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference and to be practiced, it requires, just and impartial legislation, law enforcement and judicial and administrative process."

Tolerance is a positive trait denoting humane interaction among humans. As aptly remarked by Professor William Re a professor at Harward. "Tolerance is not just agreeing with one another or remaining indifferent in the face of injustice but rather showing respect for the essential humanity in every citizen." The intolerance can be tamed through education, counseling and appropriate laws and effective enforcement. The policy of non interference in others affairs and desisting from desecration of other faiths can lead us to unity and harmony resulting in peaceful co-existence. Peaceful co- existence is the basic theme of all faiths.

No religion allows persecution, hatred, extremism and terrorism. Extremists do exist in all faiths who misinterpret the golden principles of religions. We have to join hands to frustrate their evil designs. No religion compels people of other faiths to convert. It has given them complete freedom to follow their own faith.

As a Muslim let me state in unequivocal terms that Islam does not allow forced conversion and extremism. The freedom of religion is documented in both the Holy Quran and the prophetic teachings known as Sunnah. Almighty God addresses the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Quran.

"If it had been your Lord's will, they would all have believed all of who are on earth. Will you then compel human kind, against their will, to believe." It is clearly revealed in The Holy Quran that there is no compulsion in religion. Observing the moral principles it can also lead to unity and peaceful co- existence. Let me quote Martin Luther King jr, "Morality cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless." let me explain by observing the moral values we can inculcate the spirit of mutual love and peaceful co-existence.

It is heartening to note that the 20th century has seen a change. Religionists have moved away from defending their beliefs or reinforcing their religious conviction with revivalist movements. Instead, they have followed modern medical practices. They have inserted stents to improve the flow of corpuscles of thought and the platelets of ideas within their own system. The result of this reinvigoration has been a quickening of interest in interfaith communications as realists began to acknowledge a truth since the interfaith communication has found a number of voluntary flag bearers.

One of the best known is Ms. Karen Armstrong, a former nun who since turning her back on her convent has achieved fame publishing books on comparative religion.

She has created a niche market for her well researched and readable summaries of the world major religions and their founders. Through her works she has created an environment of mutual understanding leading towards unity and harmony.

The other person in this field treading on the same path in Islam would have to be Dr. Akbar Ahmed who now serves as an ambassador of Islam in the U.S. As an author he is as prolific, and he is equally articulate and persuasive as a speaker and has a vast experience as civil servant and diplomat. His commitment to the promotion of interfaith understanding lies as deep as hers. They share and pursue the same mission. Dr. Akbar Ahmed who is teaching in United States. His latest book The Thistle and the Drone is interesting, provocative application of the tools of the academic anthropology to modern politics.

Going through the books of Ms. Karen Armstrong and Dr. Akbar Ahmed it becomes crystal clear that the need for interfaith understanding today remains unarguably acute. For it to succeed, though, it needs desperately to move beyond the singularity of interfaith monologues.

Now let us examine our own religions which we follow. The basic theme of all is peace, love for human kind, helping the poor and needy, and stand with the oppressed and not the oppressor.

It is also revealed in all the Heavenly revealed Books that all human beings are the offspring of Adam and Eve. Hence having common origin, they have common values. Thus they must live in peace, unity and harmony and struggle against all odds and injustices together. Now let us think whether we have played our role in this contest and tried to change the volatile situations prevailing in some areas.

In the Holy Quran it is said "And there is not for man except that (good) for which he strives". It further says "God does not change the condition of (a) people until they change what is in themselves".

Hence we have to wage struggle for change, to bring people close and solve the confronting issues.

The two august organizations, World Conference of Religions for Peace and Asian Conference of Religions for Peace are the largest interfaith organizations.

The people have attached great hopes with them. We must take their activities to all the affected areas and mark our presence by sharing their sorrow and grief during terrorist attacks, natural calamities like earthquake, flood and famine etc. Our activities should not remain confined to the holding of our general assembly after five years or holding meeting of executive committee once a year.

My suggestion should be taken as proposal and not criticism.

In 2005 Earth quake which resulted in great devastation in Pakistan causing enormous human and property loss. Delegations of A.C.R.P. Japan and South Korea Chapters visited Pakistan and extended their financial assistance to the affected people and personally visited those areas. I also accompanied them. It was highly appreciated by the government and people of Pakistan.

The electronic and print media gave it prominent coverage. This good gesture raised the image of our esteemed organisation. As you know that Pakistan is in grip of terrorism, the people and armed force are combating and confronting the terrorists. I have visited areas in the grip of terror along with my delegation repeatedly and extended to the people in distress possible assistance in shape of goods under the banner of W.C.R.P & A.C.R.P Pakistan Chapter.

Let us pledge on this august forum that we all will spare no efforts in bringing peace, unity and harmony in Asia in particular and world in general. We will rise above our religious, ethnic and territorial entities and play our role individually and collectively continuously to achieve our noble aim of human homogeneity and survival. It may prove as source of salvation on the Day of Judgment when we all appear before our Creator.

Long live our unity, harmony and peace."

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