By: Muhammad Nauman Awan
Imagine the voice of country’s youth that makes 63 percent of Pakistan’ total population. Yes, it really makes sense that the voice will be strong. Its Youth that owns this much presence, importance and voice. A recent activity has made me over joyous to learn from the energetic youth representatives at the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI).
Voice of these young men and women had a gesture that they have recognize their importance and they really mean it. It was the 2nd Paigham e Pakistan Youth Symposium of IRI where recommendations of the representatives youth leaders hailing from the universities all across the country showcased that the time of light and positivity has reached. In the Youth Symposium that concluded at the Faisal Masjid Campus young minds recommended that these are high times to promote peace, tolerance, inclusiveness and interfaith harmony in the society.
The students from various universities from Sindh, Punjab, Baluchitsan, GB and KPK opined that curriculum changes as per needs of the contemporary requirement are necessary and such alteration in the curriculum must possess the topics of interfaith harmony. They agreed that mental health awareness for youth must be given due importance as well as culture of dialogue, discussion and critical thinking must be promote in country’s education sector. The Youth representatives also recommended that the street theatre and street art must be encouraged and urged the government to cooperate and help in conducting such activities.
Ahsan Iqbal, former Federal Minister and Member National Assembly’s interaction with the students was another opportunity for participating youth to broaden their exposure in an encouraging environment. In his address, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted various challenges that are faced by Pakistani society. He was of the view that raising hatred in society must be addressed, while harmony must be promoted to build a peaceful society. Former Minister called for encouraging inclusiveness in the society . “We need to learn that how we can disagree in an agreeable way” he maintained. He opined that we need to be united on core issues so that Pakistan can progress and we can have bright future. He was of the view that economic development of Pakistan will depend on social peace which cannot be achieved without rule of law. He was of the view that dialogue at every level is a key for peaceful coexistence. He also asked the participant youth of the symposium to work on discouraging hate speech.
Professor Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector IIUI has always been witnessed as fond of addressing youth and loves to be gelled as he maintained that the Youth is real agent of change. in his address to symposium he said these are high times to promote peace, inclusiveness and harmony in the society and Pakistani youth through latest mediums such as social media can do wonders to achieve these goals. He opined that there is a dire need to promote and propagate the message of peace and unity. He agreed with the recommendations of the young participants of symposium that curriculum should be a continuous process, while he also hailed Government’s steps for a revamped and single national curriculum initiative . “We are living in the age of drastic changes, we cannot afford to be stagnant rather we must be well prepared to respond to the everyday changing challenges” said Dr. Masoom. He said Knowledge and skill with inculcation of Islamic values is must for Pakistani youth. He said that narrative of Paigham-e-Pakistan is vital for society as tolerance and peace lead to stability and prosperity. He urged the youth to adopt Seerah of Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said His (PBUH) life is all about tolerance and peace. “We have no deficit of guidelines and values, Seerah is a comprehensive conduct of peace, tolerance and lover for creatures” he added.
Prof. Dr.Masoor Akbar Kundi, Vice Chancellor BZ University, Multan also spoke to the symposium. He said we must say no to Differences and yes to unity. He urged the youth to disseminate the Paigham-e-Pakistan’s message that he opined is all about Inclusiveness, peaceful co-existence and unity. He was of the view that rights of minorities must be protected. Various parliamentarians, experts and faculty members such as Prof.Dr.Abdul Qadus Suhaib Chairman department of Islamic Studies Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Mr Khurshid Ahmed Nadeem, Dr. Muhammad Khan, Dr. Rizwan and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia Ul Haq DG, IRI were resource persons of the symposium.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Director General, IRI was the chief organizer of this symposium. He has been a symbol of dedication since inception of the Paigham e Pakistan as he is the one who had been supervising the activities of this narrative in hundreds in the form of trainings, dialogues, outreach programs, conferences, seminars and visits. He vowed that the efforts will be doubled. About training programs, he told that through these training programs, various segments of the society such as parliamentarians, ulema, Faculty Members, members of the civil society, and youth are trained on peace building, peaceful coexistence, and inclusiveness in the contexts of Paigham-e-Pakistan.
These recommendations shall be sent to the legislative quarters and policy making forums and this voice of 63 percent population the country must be enough to let the deciders of the future fate think that we have been blessed with sensitized, envisioned and able youth. The glittering faces in the group picture were an omen of hope and I deduced that we have now a way forward to win the future with youth.