ISLAMABAD: Addressing a Seminar “Inter Faith and Inter Cultural Dialogue” organized by Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium, with collaboration of the European Office of Human Rights, presided over by Denmark based Human rights activist Bashy Quraishy President European Network against Racism (ENAR) different speakers including Fabio Amicarelli Director European Office for Human Rights, Hugo Veracx Vice President Unversal Peace Federation, Marc Bromberg Director Church of Scientology, Sardar Muhammad Tahir Tabassum Ambassador for Peace and Executive Director INSPAD, and Sardar Muhammad Javaid Sarwer Secretary General of INSPAD presented their views on the complexity of the subject. They were of the unanimous view that world peace hinges on Inter-Religious Dialogue and Inter-Religious Harmony. To remove the lingering clouds of war over the world, injustice and cruelty inflicted upon the weaker nations, awareness and education are the dire needs of the present times. Justice, tolerance and forgiveness are the three hallmarks of humanity which can bring us closer towards a peaceful co-existence.

Former President & Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Ex Chairman President’s National Kashmir Committee Pakistan
H.E. Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan
Patron-in-Chief
Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD)

Islamophobia is not a new phenomenon, it has been there ever since. It is inbuilt in the creation itself. Whether it is religion or something else, presence of both the negative and positive forces are the sum total of the Universe. It is also recognized phenomenon that the divine forces and evil forces have been at war with each other since the very beginning. The evil forces have been created by the same divine decree, therefore, their eternal existence. Therefore, no body should be in doubt that any of these forces can be eradicated. The only thing left is the nature of this conflict and endeavours to remove the superfluous elements, so that the Universe is not taken over by the evil forces alone.

Former President & Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Ex Chairman President’s National Kashmir Committee Pakistan
H.E. Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan
Patron-in-Chief
Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD)

The pertains to materialization of the concept of socio-religious peaceful co-existence in the imminent globalization hoping that it will merit your serious consideration.With the fast development of technology and growth of human mind, the inter-dependence and much closer interaction of the peoples of the world are unavoidable consequences which are driving the humanity to yet closer ties-globalization.

Moon Front Organisation Courts Pakistani NGOs
By Richard Bartholomew

New Europe reports on an “International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue towards Global Peace” which took place recently in Brussels. The event saw the Universal Peace Federation - a front organisation of the Unification Church - forge links with Pakistani NGOs, and the announcement that the the distinguished director of one Pakistani charity had joined the ranks of UPF’s “Ambassadors for Peace”.

Bringing representatives from different faiths together on one platform, an “International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue towards Global Peace” unanimously passed a resolution last week “Brussels Peace Declaration on Religious Coexistence” at Peace Embassy Brussels, Belgium.

Conference participants included Muhammad Tahir of the Fauji Foundation, Willy Fautre of Human Rights Without Frontiers, and Bashy Quraishy of the European Network Against Racism. Working particularly closely with the UPF was the Institute of Peace and Development, a think tank concerned with Kashmir: Philippe Jacques Chairman UPF said in his welcoming remarks, “We are one family under God, we have to promote understanding and tolerance between all faith and religions.” UPF will continue these efforts in future with INSPAD, he added. Amin ul Haq President INSPAD appreciated the valuable efforts and role of United Nations, UNESCO and UPF for the promotion of Inter-faith, Inter-cultural Dialogue and religious coexistence.

A press release from INSPAD in the Kashmiri Observer gives some further details, although the English is poor:

Two renowned NGO’s Universal Peace federation and Institute of Peace & Development (INSPAD) Belgium visited a Muslim mosque in Molenbeek and told that Inter-faith dialogue is the need of the time.
…The NGO’s officials Mr. Philippe Jacques, Mr.Hugo Veraxc of UPF and Mr. Amin ul Haq, Tahir Tabassum and Sardar Javaid Sarwer of INSPAD said that we must adopt peaceful & acceptable policies instead of raising religious controversial issues.

They expressed the NGO’s responsibilities are increased that they should play the role of Ambassador for Peace and promote Inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogues indeed. Both NGO’s have decided unanimously that they will visit all religious worship places for the promotion of Peace, understanding and tolerance.

Muhammad Tahir received the title of “Ambassador for Peace” from the UFP. The Fauji Foundation is a significant charity in Pakistan, and as I’ve observed previously (here and here), a remarkable number of statesmen and other prominent individuals from around the world have chosen to accept the honour of becoming a UPF Ambassador. While the public rallying-call is for “one family under God”, less emphasis is put on the fact that the “one family” also has one True Father on earth: Rev Sun Myung Moon. Prominent participants in UFP activities are a massive boost to Rev Moon’s credibility, and their involvement serves the long-term strategic interests of the Unification Church.

The website of the World Council of Churches explains that a “Brussels declaration” on inter-religious cooperation appeared back in December 2001:
An international conference “Peaceful coexistence between the great monotheistic religions” was held in Brussels, 19-20 December 2001, at the invitation of His All Holiness Bartholomew, the ecumenical patriarch, and His Excellency Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission. In a declaration, “The peace of God in the world: towards peaceful coexistence and collaboration among the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam”, participants affirmed “the will of God is for the peace of heaven to reign on earth” and that such peace is not merely the absence of war but also the gift of abundant life. Thus “there is indeed an immediate and inseparable connection between peace and justice.” The statement emphasizes the need for education, communication, dialogue, and respect to enhance understanding of religious communities and their beliefs.

The full (and somewhat platitudinous) text can be seen here. Details are scarce, but one assumes that the “Brussels Peace Declaration” now being promoted by the UPF is the same document.

The UPF/INSPAD conference took place around the same time as a UPF “Global Peace Festival” in the Philippines. That event saw Martin Luther King III share a stage with Rev Moon’s son Hyun Jin Moon. Again, the slogan was “one family under God”. A particular concern with Kashmir would complement Moon’s interest in bringing peace to the Middle East.
A guide to all my blog entries on the subject of Moon and the Unification Church can be seen here.