Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Defeating the culture of violence through dialogue is the goal of this year's annual meeting of Muslim and Christian leaders held on October 20 to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. The event was organised under the auspices of the National Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (NCIDE) of the Pakistani Catholic Church.

"The NCIDE," said Catholic scholar Mushtaq, "has worked to promote religious harmony in the country. Sectarianism has spoiled the image of our country. The culture of violence has to give way to tolerance and moderation".

During Pakistan's President Musharraf' recent visit to the Vatican, the Pope, too, emphasised how important dialogue is between Christians and Muslims.

Shahazada Alamigri, a Muslim who cooperates with the NICDE, praised Pope John Paul II for being "a voice of peace in Iraq and around the world. All of us [Christians and Muslims] should play our role in ensuring peace by rejecting forces of hatred and differences".

Alama Zaheer, another Muslim leader, quoted Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who said that "all the citizens in the country of every faith are free to profess their religion", adding himself that "every believer must respect other religions because freedom of religion was sanctioned by the father of the nation".

Fr Jacob Joseph Dogra, vicar general of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi diocese, cited the story of the Good Samaritan to his Muslim friends pointing out that "the love of God and love of thy neighbour were the bases of Christianity. For this reason, he added, "we should continue to talk about common issues and shun differences."

Fr. Francis Nadeem, NCIDE's Executive Secretary, said he was "proud to be a Pakistani Christian" reiterating that the commission was created "to bring harmony among the religions".

He reminded his audience that the government of Pakistan was the guarantor of the lives and security of its citizens irrespective of their religion.