| Arlington, VA – June 26, 2007. Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the
Caretaker of MQM North America, attended an invitation-only, private
dinner which was organized by Dr. Douglas Johnston, President,
International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD), a leading think
tank, in the honor of members of Ittihad Tanzeemat Madaris Deenia (ITMD),
and Mr. Vakil Ahmed Khan, Secretary for Religious Affairs, Pakistan, and
prominent Pakistani-Americans. The topic of discussion was "The Role of
Madrasas in Modern Society."
ITMD is Pakistan's top madrasa
oversight board, and its members oversee the individual madrasa boards
that belong to each of the five Islamic sects that sponsor these
religious schools. ITMD was
represented by Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhry, Member, Central Council,
ITMD Pakistan, Maulana
Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, President, Tanzeemul Madaris Pakistan,
Maulana Niaz Hussain Naqvi, Jamia Al-Muntazir, Lahore, Maulana Naeem ur
Rehman, Nazim-e-Aala, Wafaqul Madaris Al Salfia Pakistan, Dr. Ata-ur-Rahman,
Member, National Assembly, Rabitatul Madaris Islamia Pakistan In
his opening remarks, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui appreciated the intense
efforts made by ICRD in trying to bridge the knowledge gap between
Christian scholars who may be guessing the situation from a long
distance which causes the fear of unknown among Americans. He also
noted that Pakistani scholars may not understand American security
concerns, either. "We all have to come together and remove the fear, and
create synergy which may help the humanity to coexist side by side.
Justice is what is missing here. Our party not only
believes in human equality, meritocracy, and religious
harmony, but also practices those virtues every day, in extremely
challenging political conditions in Pakistan," he said.
The dinner was held at the stately setting of The Cedars. The Cedars is
well-known as a historical mansion, located in the Washington DC suburb
of Arlington, where heads of states, high-ranking diplomats and
decision-makers meet to discuss important world affairs. |