The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday said in the troubled world plagued with war, strife, armed conflicts and terrorist attacks, the religion could play the role of a peacemaker.

"Religion and religious values are always for peace. Although sometimes we see acts of terrorism in the name of religion," he said while speaking at an Iftar party hosted by Jamaat-e-Islami at Hotel Sonargaon in honour of diplomats.

Referring to the recent interfaith dialogue organised by King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Makkah in June and in Madrid in July, the Jamaat Ameer said such dialogue is a much needed step in the right direction and deserves the appreciation of all the peace loving people of the world.

"And we believe that the example set by the King of Saudi Arabia will be taken further by other world leaders. There is no alternative to interfaith dialogue," he observed.

Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Japan, High Commissioners of Australia and Pakistan and diplomats from India, Canada and Britain and USA, Vietnam, Turkey, Denmark, Iran, Palestine and Chinese embassies and high commissions in Dhaka were present at the Iftar party.

Maulana Nizami said the Quran emphasises on justice and justice cannot be achieved without peace.

"The message of Islam has always spread far and wide in peace time. There is no coercion in matters of religion. Islam enjoins its followers to respect the religion of others so that there always exists a peaceful atmosphere," he said.

Among others, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana AKM Yusuf, Maqbul Ahmad, Secretary General Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, Maulana Abdus Subhan, Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Abdul Quader Molla, ATM Azharul Islam, Barrister Abdur Razzaq, Prof. Mujibur Rahman and Maulana Muhammad Abu Taher were present on the occasion.