Forum for Humanity organizes convention on communal harmony

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, June 18, 2012: The Forum for Humanity in collaboration with Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Jaycee organized Sneha Samvada, a convention on communal harmony at Ammani Ramanna Shetty on June 17, Sunday. 

Speaking on the occasion, Abdussalam Puthige, the senior journalist, said that the number of people dying in fake encounters and police custody are more than the number of people dying from terrorist attacks. Voicing his opinion on the relationship between terrorism and religion, he said Islam is a religion of peace and does not promote violence. 

Citing examples of the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols and the invasion of Iraq by the US army, he said that nobody calls this “terrorism.” He said that the Islamic concept of Jihad means a struggle against social evil, adding that Hindus can join the Muslims to wage Jihad against social evils. 

N. K. M. Shafi Saadi, Sunni leader and member of the Karnataka State Wakf Board, presided over the event. In his address, he said that religion always preaches humanity. Stating that the Quran does not contain a single word promoting terrorism, he said that the Quran urges Muslims to respect the beliefs of other religions. 

Rotarian H. L. Ravi delivered the inaugural address. He said that one must change one’s mind for the better to bring about positive changes in religion. 

Mohammed Yasin Malpe, former president of the state SIO; Jayakar Shetty Indrali of Lions Club; Abdulla Parkala, president of Forum for Humanity; and Mohammed Moula were also present.