One of our PEF Interfaith graduates, a young Salafi Muslim leader from Gujranwala once expressed that he previously held biased opinions about other Islamic schools of thought and minorities in Pakistan. His ignorance and misconceptions about minority groups were evident in his public speeches, as he consistently spoke against them.
“After attending PEF interfaith workshop, I have completely changed my view about inter and intra-faith communities. I have realized the need to redefine my role as a religious leader in the community. I have given exclusive Friday sermons on minority rights and have visited the church in my area for the first time since attending the workshop.”
Today, he plays an active role in resolving faith or sect-based conflicts. His initiatives encourage community members to develop mutual relationships with all Islamic schools of thought as well as with the Christian community. Keeping in mind his mission to promote peace and harmony for all, he initiated and facilitated a peace-building seminar for women at his madrasah in Gujranwala on September 28, 2014. Around seventy women from Muslim and Christian communities joined this seminar, which aimed to engage women in peace building activities and to develop relationships with each other through face-to-face interactions.
