Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) held a seminar on “Religious Diversity and Interfaith Harmony,” chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zill-I-Huma Nazli, with Dr Tanveer Qasim, Director Coordination at Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), as the chief guest and keynote speaker.

The event, organized by the Directorate of Student Affairs in collaboration with the Departments of Islamic Studies, Botany, and Statistics, aimed to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence in society.

In her address, Vice Chancellor Dr Zill-I-Huma Nazli stressed the importance of tolerance to combat religious discrimination, underscoring that Islam teaches respect for religious minorities. “Providing space and rights to non-Muslims is a hallmark of an Islamic society,” Dr Nazli remarked. She highlighted the need to foster moderation and tolerance, commending the Punjab government’s youth initiatives and PHEC’s efforts toward interfaith harmony.

Dr Tanveer Qasim, the chief guest, emphasized that interfaith harmony is essential for building a thriving pluralistic society. “Humanity should be the greatest religion, where equality and tolerance are the foundation of all values,” he stated. Dr Qasim also warned against the dangers of fake news, identifying it as a leading cause of societal discord. He lauded PHEC’s ongoing efforts to encourage peaceful coexistence on university campuses and announced that the Punjab government has allocated billions of rupees in scholarships, benefitting more than 30,000 students across the province.

The seminar drew a large audience, including Dr Asma Aziz, Director of Student Affairs, Dr Amara Javed, faculty members, and numerous students. The event successfully provided a platform to discuss ways to cultivate harmony and strengthen interfaith dialogue in educational institutions and beyond.