“Come What May, Unity in Diversity Must Stay”: Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari at National Interfaith Seminar in Delhi

• Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India Organised in collaboration with NCPUL on Interfaith Ethics in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India (IFHFI) New Delhi, in collaboration with the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, organized a National Seminar on “Interfaith Ethics in Media and Public Discourse” at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

The day-long seminar, held at the India International Centre, comprised three sessions and witnessed the participation of eminent scholars, vice chancellors, media professionals, social activists, policy experts, university faculty members, research scholars, and students from across the country.

Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, founder and director of the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India, said that harmony remains the greatest need of the present era. He declared that “come what may, unity in diversity must stay,” asserting that India must continue to stand as a symbol of civilizational unity despite challenges. He remarked that in today’s world, technology, artificial intelligence, and media ratings may dominate discussions, but what truly matters is harmony. He emphasized that society is about shared existence, describing India as a land where diverse beliefs live together “as if cooking in one pot and eating together.” Referring to the civilizational link between Manu and Adam, he argued that India belongs to humanity rather than to any single religion. He maintained that no community in India is foreign and described the country’s shared heritage as a living example of cultural blending. He said that true achievement lies in humility, tolerance, rationality, and respect for others, urging youth to cultivate honor and elders to show compassion. 

Introductory Remarks Director of NCPUL Dr. Md Shams Equbal observed that the theme of interfaith harmony is closely linked not only to language and literature but also to social discourse. He referred to celebrated Urdu novels, noting how they reflect India’s composite culture. He further remarked that Urdu poetry across generations represents the spirit of shared civilization.

Chief Guest Shri Vijay Goel stressed that religion is rooted in education and ethics. He urged people to follow the positive teachings of elders and emphasized that religion teaches truth and non-violence, not conflict.

Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari observed that while we are human beings by identity, we must strive to become better human beings in conduct. He emphasized that the core objective of interfaith harmony is to ensure that no one harms another. Given India’s multilingual and multi-religious character, he stressed the urgent need for sustained interfaith dialogue.

Editor of The Emerging World Dr. Dinesh Dubey noted that religion existed even before constitutional systems and contributed significantly to the development of civilization. He underlined that love and spirituality are central to human life across faith traditions.

Editor of Inquilab M. Wadood Sajid explained the Islamic perspective on interfaith harmony and elaborated on the concept of humanity in Islam. Mohammad Wajihuddin reflected on media responsibilities and the role of ethical journalism in fostering social balance. 

The concluding session, titled “Interfaith Traditions and India’s Shared Cultural Heritage,” was presided over by Prof. Khwaja Abdul Muntaqim. The chief guest was Prof. Mohammad Afshar Alam, vice chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, and Prof. Md. Qutbuddin, chairman of the Arabic Department of JNU. The session was moderated by Dr. Aamna Mirza.

VC of Jamia Hamdard Prof. M. Afshar Alam described India as a deeply spiritual land with a rich composite heritage strengthened by Sufi, Rishi, and Bhakti traditions. He called for actively promoting mutual respect and harmony in society. Prof. Khwaja Abdul Muntaqim stated that India has always been a cradle of composite culture where diversity coexists with mutual respect. 

CEO of IFHFI Fainan Ahmed Khwaja reflected on India’s moral foundation. Citing an interview of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi following the 1971 war, he noted that India chose peace over domination, demonstrating that the nation’s real strength lies not in military power but in moral character. 

The success of the seminar was made possible through the collective efforts and active participation of distinguished academicians, jurists, media professionals, and social leaders from across the country. Among those who contributed significantly to the program were Prof. Divya Tanwar, Dr. Aayushi Ketkar as moderator of the 2nd session, Dr. Kaleem Ullah, Dr. Daulat Ram, Dr. Deeba, Monalisa Lenka, Manisha, Nadeem Waris Khan, Anil Maheshwari, Mushtaq Ansari, Sayeed Ahmed, Jawaid Rahmani (moderator of the 1st session), Asif Husain, Iqtedar Saheb, and Adv. Anisul Haque.

The seminar concluded with a collective resolve to carry the message of interfaith harmony and ethical coexistence to every corner of the country.