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Interfaith Harmony in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Aawaz II Provincial Consultation

More than 100 Pakistani citizens from different minority religious communities including Christians, Hindus and Sikhs from 14 KP districts participated in a provincial consultation convened by Aawaz II and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation to promote interfaith harmony in the province. Many are part of the village and district forums formed by the programme to serve as platforms for collective actions. “We are often ‘advised’ to convert to Islam,” was an experience shared by many participants. Discrimination in accessing education and employment opportunities was also common. “Even if we get a job, we face exclusion, like colleagues refusing to eat with us,” said one participant. A case of violence was cited in which the survivor’s religious identity became a barrier to the right to file an FIR. Some positive trends were also identified. “My Muslim neighbours used to hesitate sharing Iftar with us, but now they regularly send Iftar and even Eid goodies to our home,” said one participant. Bearing discrimination in silence was a dominant coping mechanism. There was also community assistance, civil society awareness/support and help from majority religious groups. “Aawaz II’s work on changing behaviours and providing early warning and response mechanisms is helping prevent and respond to social disagreements based on religious identities,” said Dr. Yasmin Zaidi, Team Lead-Aawaz II. It was agreed that faith-based arguments/discord are often motivated by ulterior motives. In his concluding comments, Dr. Asad Ali Khan, Secretary, Department of Auqaf & Minority Affairs, Government of KP, reiterated the government’s commitment to give equitable opportunities to all citizens. “The government is trying to ensure that access to scholarships and other measures for religious minority communities are not disrupted due to the current financial difficulties,” he said. It was agreed that priority actionable points from the consultation will be shared with the Secretary by Aawaz II and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation, so that effective policy and budget responses are made possible.