Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, May 4: "The core essence of Islam is peace. There is no religion greater than peace. However, Islam has been looked upon from a 'terrorist' perspective, which is unfortunate. No religion encourages disharmony," said Rafeeque Baig, president of Majlis Khudammul Ahmadiyya, India.
Addressing Peace Symposium-2014 organized by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at Town Hall here on Saturday May 3, Rafeeque said that for peace to prevail, every citizen should fear God in the right spirit. "A few Muslims have forgotten the preaching and teachings of Prophet Mohammed. We will strive to spread peace and brotherhood across religions with the motto to achieve communal harmony," he added.
"Peace can be achieved through tolerance. Such qualities should be inculcated right from our childhood. With the help of mass media, spreading of peace should be given more importance," Rafeeque further said.
MLA J R Lobo said, "There is only one god with many forms of worship. All religions preach peace. But this virtue has been destroyed with misinterpretations and selfish gains. Politics is one of the reasons. Therefore, people have to act wisely so that communal harmony is not destroyed," he said.
Swami Jitakamananda, Fr Clifford Fernandes, Mahabala Marla, mayor, Manohar Prasad and Reshma Ullal, journalists were among others present on the dais.
Earlier, a video presentation on the theme ‘Love for all, hatred for none’ was screened for the audience.