The participants of a two-day international conference on “Rethinking Education of Religions in Modern World: Prospects & Challenges,” organised by the Department of Religious Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, Wednesday called for dialogue between different communities.
“Such initiative would create environment of peacefulcoexistence,” the resolution adopted by the members read. The resolutionsfurther reads: The present crisissituations demand all efforts to save the planet through trusteeship, harmony,balance and social Justice, there may be new initiatives to study otherreligions and there should be strong opposition to misuse and abuse ofreligions for ulterior motives, efforts should be made to re-visit positiveelements in civilization and historical march of mankind. Full help may betaken by application of technology, Universities, research organizations andwell placed NGOs may come forward to rethink about education of religions inmodern world and make religion relevant in present context and there is urgentneed for interaction among Madrassas (religious seminaries) and moderneducation institutions so that a unified worldview may be projected.
Earlier, the Head Department of Religious Studies, Prof.HamidullahMarazi, presented the conference report and said that brain stormingsession was followed by two parallel technical sessions which were conductedunder the supervision of the experts. Prof. Marazi said that about 50 researchpapers were presented by the scholars of various institutions and states on thefirst day of the conference.
In his presidential address, CUK Vice-Chancellor, Prof.Mehrajud Din Mir underscored the need for holding interfaith dialogue forsolving all the issues amicably. He said that basic religious ethos should beimplemented in letter and spirit. Prof. Mehrajud Din Mir said the parentsshould inculcate the basic fundamentals of their faith among their children atan earlier stage. He said the deliberations held during the conference shouldbe consolidated and send to the concerned quarters for implementation.
While speaking on the occasion, Mufti Omer Aberdeen, Prof.Madhu Khanna, Dr. Mohammad Chandia, Prof. Ishtiyaq Danish, Prof. Abdul RashidBhat and Dr. G N Var expressed gratitude to the Department of Religious Studiesfor holding the conference and said the discourse during the event was aboutthe remodeling of religious education for the next generation. They said that integrationof different sects of religions is found in Kashmir. The participants calledfor introduction of religious studies department in every university andconstitution of core groups for strengthening these departments. They said manywonderful ideas were generated and many solutions came to the fore duringdeliberation in the conference. They also said that one of the things which allparticipants agreed upon was that education should integrate both realms thematerial and the spiritual. Assistant Professor, Department of ReligiousStudies, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Zargar conducted the programme proceedings while asAssistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Harpal Singh proposed thevote of thanks.