ISLAMABAD: A national conference on interfaith harmony was held under the auspices of Pakistan Ulema Council in Islamabad on Thursday, during which the participants stressed the need for promoting harmony and tolerance amongst different sects and religions.
The federal minister for religious affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that there is need for dialogue amongst people of different faiths to achieve the objective of peace and harmony in the society.
The minister further said that no one can be forced to convert their religion. He said that the constitution protects the rights of minorities and that in Islam a woman’s agreement for marriage is necessary.
The Pakistan Hindu Council Chairman Ramesh Kumar said that the rise in kidnappings of Hindu girls from Sindh and Balochistan is worrisome for the Hindu community living in Pakistan. He said that the abducted girls are being forced to convert to Islam.
Ramesh Kumar called upon Muslim scholars to raise their voice against the abduction of Hindu girls and said that girls below 18 years of age are not allowed to change their religion.
