A training workshop here on Tuesday called for promoting the culture of dialogue to foster harmony and inclusiveness in the society and counter extremism, violence and terrorism.
The one-day workshop titled ‘Training of Trainers on Countering Violent Extremism by Faculty of Universities and Madaris’ was organized by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi in collaboration with the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) Islamabad. IRI Director General Dr Ziaul Haq and human and civil rights activist Ansar Burney were prominent among those who spoke on the occasion. A large number of faculty members, professionals, civil society activists, journalists and students participated in the event.
The objective of the activity was to raise awareness among the social activists, students, faculty members, religious leaders and journalists about the role they can play in countering the threats of extremism, violence and terrorism to establish a peaceful and inclusive society in the light of the teachings of Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative launched by the government of Pakistan.
In their speeches, the speakers threw light on the social and traditional implications of changing and emerging roles of faculty members and ulema for peace-building and countering violent extremism in the society. They called for meaningful participation of the young people in peacebuilding and stressed on the need to launch a concerted effort to promote the youth as active leaders and partners in the peace processes by motivating them to become the ‘agents of change’ through national peacebuilding efforts.
They maintained that divisions in the society, hatred and arrogant behaviours of individuals were some major issues that needed urgent attention, and unanimously stressed the need to review country’s educational policy, especially ensuring the training of teachers and Ulema to make them an agent of change for promoting the culture of unity, brotherhood and peace in the society.
Emphasizing the critical role faculty members and the Ulema can play in countering violent extremism, they called for an exerted effort to engage youth in constructive activities besides providing them with ample opportunities to build their careers and grow, which will eventually generate hope among them and help address social, political and economic grievances.
The participants also talked about the role of a responsible media in promoting peace and tolerance in the society and that how media should highlight the positive side of the society. The speakers stressed the need for promotion of positive content by the journalists and do objective reporting to avoid hatred, divisions, violence, extremism and social intolerance in the society.
Published in Daily Times, February 27th 2019.
