"All religions believe in one God and responsibilities of all people to their fellow human beings. The first agreement the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) signed after migration to Madina with the Jewish community, was the one in which their rights were fully protected and complete religious freedom was granted to all communities living there. This agreement serves as a real charter of interfaith harmony, religious, tolerance and equality of citizens", Chairman Senate articulated.
Farooq H. Naek also informed the delegation about the history of steps and measures taken by Pakistan since its inception, for the protection of minorities, from Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. "Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan ensures equality of all before law, however, you cannot defy the Holy Books and Prophets", he enlightened.
In response to a question, Naek said the government was considering to introducing protection of minorities' act in the Parliament to protect the personal laws of different religious in Pakistan. Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs ensures that harmony is maintained among other religious communities, he added.
Head of the delegation Isabel G. Tobias, while commenting on the warm relations between Pakistan and Philippine, expressed her desire to learn from the experiences of Pakistan in the area of interfaith relations. Among others, the delegation included Jesus I. Yabes, Ambassador, Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan and FERNANDO CAPALLA Archbishop, archdiocese of Davao BUC convenor.