INSTITUTE OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
Vzw (INSPAD) Asbl
BELGIUM

Brussels 11.06.2007
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said that conceptually peace at the regional, continental, global and at institutional level is worth of high value. For individuals to nation’s peace in the dire need. All of us subscribe to this truth. But at the same time I believe that the forces of peace everywhere must be strong enough that no disturbance to peace occurs. It is utterly an ideal vision. Peace in the World not possible without solution of Kashmir and Palestine Conflicts. He expressed his views in a letter to famous NGO Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tahir Tabassum Muhammad. He said that the human phenomenon on ground speaks otherwise. However, human endeavors to strengthen peace moves and peace institutions must continue at all levels. He said Kashmir is an alarming nuclear flame for whole world peace. United Nations, European Union, Organization of Islamic Conference and other global influential institutions must try to stop Human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. He said that my priority is rehabilitation and reconstruction of Earth Quake areas of Azad Kashmir. He appreciated the role and working of international NGO’s in Azad Kashmir during Earth quake and some still helping to remote areas here. Prime Minister Kashmir appreciates INSPAD role about peace Initiatives, Human rights, Inter-faith and Inter-cultural dialogue and other important services and wish continued successes to their Officials and institutions. He deeply appreciated INSPAD sense of candid dedication and institutional awareness indeed. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan extends his full support and cooperation for INSPAD in future.

Brussels Peace Declaration on Religious Coexistence
An” International Conference on Interfaith Dialogue towards Global Peace” unanimously passed a resolution last night “Brussels Peace Declaration on Religious Coexistence” at Peace Embassy Brussels, Belgium on 1st of December 2007. The conference decided to establish a Permanent Committee for Inter-faith cooperation, comprising religious scholar’s representatives of different Faiths and Communities, NGOs and media. In the conference discussed an important serious inter-faith harmony, conflict resolution combating extremism, intolerance, hatred and violence in the name of religion. This conference organized by two famous worldwide organizations Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Belgium and European think tank Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium jointly. Both organizations affirmed that they will work together to promoting and protecting peace, justice, human rights, equality, genuine brotherhood, tolerance and friendly interaction among cultures and religions need to cultivated, promoted and nurtured to help create an environment conducive to building peace and harmony within communities and peoples. Conference MC was Mr. Hugo Veracx Vice President international and interreligious Federation of World Peace Belgium. OIC Secretary General H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and United Nations High Commissioner for Human rights Mrs. Louise Arbour congratulated and appreciated European NGOs UPF and INSPAD on his initiative for organizing the important event. They also have expressed his confidence of its success. Prominent Pakistani Intellectual Major General (retd) Muhammad Tahir Director Welfare Education Fauji Foundation (Pakistan) Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker Who were also awarded international reputed two awards Ambassador for Peace and Peace Award 2007 in the conference, said that all religions gave us one message of peace, harmony, love and compassion. He explained Islamic history and tolerance in other religions, and said that there are a number of basic principles and moral values that goven our dealings with other nations. He said that justice for all people if their inalienable right. Oppressing them is forbidden, irrespective of their religion, color or ethnicity. He said that the essential unity, emergence of world culture, wherein diversityid respected, where historical and traditional characteristics of cultures and civilizations are accepted. In order for world culture to assume a unified identity discords. He hopes that enmity and oppression will give way to respect and tolerance. If we are self righteous and think that our own culture and the beliefs of other are unimportant, then we develop narrow mindedness, hatred and intolerance resulting in conflicts. If we wish to have peace, then we have to learn to respect others and adjust ourselves with them to co-exist. Tolerance is a virtue and a fruit of wisdom that can come, if we firmly believe that all have the basic right to live peacefully and enjoy their own culture tradition or religion. Mr. Philippe Jacques Chairman UPF (Host) said in his welcoming remarks that we are one family under God, we have to promote understanding and tolerance between all faith and religions. He said Rev. Moon already working worldwide for these objectives. UPF will continue these efforts in future with INSPAD, he added. Mr. Amin ul Haq President INSPAD (Host) appreciated the valuable efforts and role of United Nations, UNESCO and UPF for the promotion of Inter-faith, Inter-cultural Dialogue and religious coexistence. He said we reaffirmed our commitment to oppose, prevent and combat terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and we also condemned the instrumental use symbols and religious, cultural or ethnical values to generate conflicts, feed wars or to justify terrorism. Mr.Willy Fautre Director HRWF said that we are monitoring incidents of religious violence in India. We registered more than a hundred of such cases and we are sure that many more were not brought to our knowledge. He appreciated the efforts aiming at promoting tolerance and respect between various faiths around the world. He gave many examples of India regarding religious violence and indolence in the conference. Mr. Bashy Quraishy Chairman ENAR Denmark said that this is a right time for reflection for Jewish and Muslim communities. He said that EU already established a Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Forum in Europe. We are focusing on creation of the authentic dialogue through encounters and co-operation and providing training and education for mutual understanding. Miss Farhat Jabeen Muslim Scholar (Pakistan) said that Globalization brings us the beauty of dialogue and interaction between various religions and cultures but because of misunderstanding and misinterpretation, it will also become the source of conflicts, tensions, struggles and polarization. Tolerance towards others is very important trait for any religion if world peace is to be maintained. She cotted the adoption in 1981 of the Declaration of the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religions or belief has set the standard, she said that the coexistence between the holistic entity and multidimensionality will then be the vision of the world. Dr. Nasir Zaidi Professor Bonn University Germany said that Dialogue is need of the time, misunderstanding between religions and cultures are developing rapidly. We must accept and respect all religions and cultures. Mr. Ingmar Jurgen Metthezing (Buddhist Wat Dhammakaya) Holland said that the world is an urgent need of peace through inner peace. The global peace process should take three successive steps; in suffusing our thinking, then our words, then our actions the righteocousness inspired by inner peace. He said we saw war culture many places, mediation techniques can change into positive and peaceful thoughts. Sardar Jeginder Singh, Sikh Gurdwara Vilvoord said Sikhism is based on Honoust labour, sharing the earning and Mediation on the name of God. He said we stands for human liberty, gender equality, fraternity, universalism, freedom of conscience, social justice and dynamic power. Sardar M. Tahir Tabassum Executive Director INSPAD (Host) said that prophets and messengers of all faiths and religions give us the teachings of peace, stability and integrity. The religious and political conflicts which has inflicted immense damages, caused untold grief across in the Asia, Middle East and Africa Especially Kashmir, Palestine, Darfur, Chechnya and Iraq etc, He suggested to European Intellectuals and media to not provoke east and west differences, we have to accept and respect each other with fundamental and universal concept and thoughts.Mr.Amjad Ali Sher, Head of Mission Pakistan Embassy, Mr. Marc Bromberg Director European office for Human rights, Ms. Martine de Henau Director Europe for Peace, Dr. Christian Mirre Director EOPAHR, Ms.Gul R.Rehman Co-Executive Director Children of Abraham America, Sardar Abid Shaheen Chairman JKLF, Mr.Manik Paul India, Mrs.Connic Ghraili America, Mr Manjot Singh Thind, Prof. Yvo Bruffaerts, Mrs.Collette, Prof. Aiden, Mr.Loisel Eric and other delegations from Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Pakistan, India, America, Denmark, Thailand, Togo, Cameroon, Turkey and different cities in Europe were participated in this conference.

BRUSSELS PEACE DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS COEXISTENCE
(Brussels, Belgium December 1st, 2007)

We, the representatives of different faiths, communities and cultures, participating in an international Conference on Inter-faith dialogue towards global peace, organized in Brussels on 1st December 2007 by two sister organizations, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium, have stressed the promotion of inter-faith dialogue for peaceful religious coexistence, cultural harmony and understanding. We have noted that the multi-cultural society in Europe has become an example for the world to follow.
• The participants of the conference stressed the role civil societies play in creating social awareness about inter-religious harmony, human rights and respect of law, as well as the role of religious and spiritual educational institutions in promoting tolerance, mutual respect and human rights as human rights are part of all religions and civilization.
• The conference called for strengthening communication between the representatives of religions, faiths and European inter-governmental and non-governmental institutions.
• The conference urged the media and intellectuals to focus on principles that enhance values, equality, tolerance and acceptance of others after having thoroughly examined and discussed the common values of the various faiths and religions as well as barriers to building inter-faith harmony within the international community and people.
• We declare our profound conviction that.
• The various faiths and religions in European countries advocate peace, compassion, and tolerance among mankind.
• The promotion of human rights and fundamental freedom, including the right of individuals to choose religion or faith, can contribute to upholding respect for the diversity of faiths and religions, which is essential in combating extremism, intolerance, hatred and violence.
• It is more important for people of different religions and faiths to stand united and make clear that they will not allow the use of violence to divide them. We must all speak up against those who use religion to rationalize terrorism and murder.
• Promoting and protecting peace, justice, human dignity, equality, equity, genuine brotherhood, tolerance and friendly interaction among cultures and religions needs to be cultivated and nurtured to help create an environment conducive to building peace and harmony within communities and people.
We, therefore, resolve to
• Continuously promote inter-faith dialogue and the protection of cultural diversity to our governmental and non-governmental organizations and communities.
• Translate the shared values of peace, compassion, and tolerance into practical actions within communities by education, culture, and media and in the field of religions and society.
• Acknowledge the valuable contribution resulting from UN General Assembly resolutions, UNESCO universal declarations on cultural diversity, and the efforts made by UPF for the promotion of inter-religious, inter-cultural dialogue.
• Reaffirm our commitment to oppose, prevent and combat terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. We also condemn the instrumental use of symbols and religious, cultural or ethnical values to generate conflicts, feed wars or to justify terrorism.
• Renew our commitment to peace, by calling for peaceful and harmonious co-existence of faiths and cultures and respect for human rights and dignity. We also stress the importance of giving value to international knowledge of best practice in the building, maintenance and strengthening of peace through dialogue, mediation and negotiation in which representatives of various faiths and religions participate.
• We will continue our campaigns to promote the culture of human rights, peace and rejection of using violence in the name of religions, not only within or community but also among the peoples of the world and promise to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia and other injustice in society.
• We have decided to establish a Permanent Committee for Inter-faith Co-operation (PCIC) Belgium, comprising religious scholars, intellectuals, representatives of different faiths and communities, non-governmental and media organizations.