Case Studies from Fields
Having experienced discrimination from school age to professional life, I am committed to changing mindsets of young people for the acceptance and tolerance towards minorities living in Pakistan. I have started this journey through building bridges and breaking isolation among faiths in Pakistan with the help of youngsters for peace and harmony”. – Shahid, founder of IYA (Christian)
“I am an eyewitness of the brutal incidents which took place in 2005 at Sangla Hill. This incident changed my mind and compelled me to contribute to the conflict resolution process to save people, in particular youth, from all these cruel acts of violation.” –Mr. Hassan Javed Chatha (Muslim), IYA core team member & focal person at Sangla Hill
“Women are always neglected and less active in the peace building mission, particularly in male-dominated societies like Pakistan. I joined IYA to motivate and inspire my fellow girls to engage them for volunteerism and interfaith dialogues, for peace, harmony and prosperity in Pakistan.” --Anila Noor (Muslim), women coordinator and IYA core team member
“Growing conflicts among Muslims like conflict between Shia and Sunni activate me to develop a spirit of unity and brotherhood, not just with Muslims but with other faiths also, so I joined IYA to increase my outreach and to inspire large range of youngsters to get their support for my mission.” – Muhammad Kazim Shah (Shia Muslim) IYA core team member
Increasing discriminations like force conversion became reason to joined IYA to raise voices against injustice and to get support from youth of all faiths and backgrounds for this issue. – Ameet Kumar (Hindu), focal person from Hindu Youth Group
Personal Stories
“Through this diversity tour program I got four Christian friends which I never had before; this event helped us to develop trust. Now we are friends on social media like face book and twitter and we often discuss about common and religious issues in Pakistan.” – Hanif Hunzie, age 27, from Aga Khan Community, participant of Lahore Diversity Tour
“I impressed by the spirituality of other religions and it gave me new reason to study more about their faiths and traditions.” – Haroon Masih, age 26, participant of Diversity Talk Series 2013-Lahore
“Volunteer service with IYA changed my way of thinking about other religions and religious people, I will tell my friends to respect every faith even Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Muslim or others, because we all are one creation.” – Sehrish Munawar, age 22, Catholic Youth Coordinator)
“First, I thought that these religions had very strange legends and did not have any logic. But as I saw the different religious places and spend time with diverse youth, I found how sacred they are.” – Danish, age 24
“In my view, speaking about peace and harmony at interfaith dialogue seminars and conferences in artificial environments like hotels and halls is less effective than seeing actual things in person and spending time in natural environment.” – Muhammad Kazim Shah, age 28, participant of Community Service project Gojra, Faisalabad
“It was the first time I've prayed at a Church place, but I did not feel any difference as God can be remembered anywhere. I felt His presence here.” – Asma Hussain, Muslim educator, participant of Interfaith Youth Dinner at Loyola Hall Lahore
“Fellowship around a table is very important in boosting friendships among youth of different faiths in Pakistan and IYA is doing that.” – Jesuit Father Imran Ghouri SJ.(Mentor of Interfaith Aftaar Gathering)
“I am an eyewitness of the brutal incidents which took place in 2005 at Sangla Hill. This incident changed my mind and compelled me to contribute to the conflict resolution process to save people, in particular youth, from all these cruel acts of violation.” –Mr. Hassan Javed Chatha (Muslim), IYA core team member & focal person at Sangla Hill
“Women are always neglected and less active in the peace building mission, particularly in male-dominated societies like Pakistan. I joined IYA to motivate and inspire my fellow girls to engage them for volunteerism and interfaith dialogues, for peace, harmony and prosperity in Pakistan.” --Anila Noor (Muslim), women coordinator and IYA core team member
“Growing conflicts among Muslims like conflict between Shia and Sunni activate me to develop a spirit of unity and brotherhood, not just with Muslims but with other faiths also, so I joined IYA to increase my outreach and to inspire large range of youngsters to get their support for my mission.” – Muhammad Kazim Shah (Shia Muslim) IYA core team member
Increasing discriminations like force conversion became reason to joined IYA to raise voices against injustice and to get support from youth of all faiths and backgrounds for this issue. – Ameet Kumar (Hindu), focal person from Hindu Youth Group
Personal Stories
“Through this diversity tour program I got four Christian friends which I never had before; this event helped us to develop trust. Now we are friends on social media like face book and twitter and we often discuss about common and religious issues in Pakistan.” – Hanif Hunzie, age 27, from Aga Khan Community, participant of Lahore Diversity Tour
“I impressed by the spirituality of other religions and it gave me new reason to study more about their faiths and traditions.” – Haroon Masih, age 26, participant of Diversity Talk Series 2013-Lahore
“Volunteer service with IYA changed my way of thinking about other religions and religious people, I will tell my friends to respect every faith even Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Muslim or others, because we all are one creation.” – Sehrish Munawar, age 22, Catholic Youth Coordinator)
“First, I thought that these religions had very strange legends and did not have any logic. But as I saw the different religious places and spend time with diverse youth, I found how sacred they are.” – Danish, age 24
“In my view, speaking about peace and harmony at interfaith dialogue seminars and conferences in artificial environments like hotels and halls is less effective than seeing actual things in person and spending time in natural environment.” – Muhammad Kazim Shah, age 28, participant of Community Service project Gojra, Faisalabad
“It was the first time I've prayed at a Church place, but I did not feel any difference as God can be remembered anywhere. I felt His presence here.” – Asma Hussain, Muslim educator, participant of Interfaith Youth Dinner at Loyola Hall Lahore
“Fellowship around a table is very important in boosting friendships among youth of different faiths in Pakistan and IYA is doing that.” – Jesuit Father Imran Ghouri SJ.(Mentor of Interfaith Aftaar Gathering)
