Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: A one-day peace conference on the theme “Building Bridges, Not Walls: Pathways to Peace & Communal Harmony” was organized at the Cultural Hall of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu, to mark the 208th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
The event was jointly hosted by the J&K Alig Society and Pir Panjal Foundation for Peace and Communal Harmony. Former Cabinet minister Abdul Ghani presided over the programme, while Abdul Qayoom Manhas (Retired IGP), Dr Haseeb Mughal and Sohail Kazmi attended as guests of honour.
Speakers emphasized the urgent need to reinforce bridges of understanding, empathy, and cooperation among communities. They stated that walls isolate societies, whereas bridges unite people, enabling peace to prevail over prejudice and hatred. They underscored the importance of rebuilding trust through dialogue rather than blame.
The speakers urged the inclusion of peace education in academic curricula and responsible journalism to amplify positive stories of communal harmony, youth volunteerism, and women-led peace efforts. The speakers concluded with a collective call: “Let us choose bridges — for peace, for progress, for humanity.”
Distinguished speakers included Sheikh Rafiq (Retired DC), Khurshid Bhat (Doda), Advocate Shahista Hakeem (former AAG), Prof Shamim Bandey, Ishtiaq Ahmed Bhati (former Sr Prosecuting Officer), Zulifqar Naqvi (former Principal), Arif Malik (Retired CEO Darhal) and Tanvir Ahmed Malik (Retired ADDC).
Prof Mussafar Hussain Shah, president of the Alig Society, delivered the welcome address, and Retired DC Ghulam Ahmed Khawaja presented the vote of thanks. The proceedings were conducted by Advocate Hussain Ahmed Saddiqui (former Sr AAG, High Court).
Mementoes were presented to Nasim Malik, Khurshid Bhat, Rafiq Sheikh, Saima Imran, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmed, Dr Sabha Haseen Mughal, Dr Shahnawaz (Editor and Cultural Officer, Cultural Academy), Shoket Hussain Kazmi, Sohail Kazmi, Dr Haseeb Mughal, A Q Manhas, Hussain Ahmed Saddiqui, Abdul Ghani and Shahista Hakeem.
Prominent attendees included Iqbal Hussain Kazmi (Editor-in-Chief, Daily Udaan), Maharoof Manhas (Retired Prosecution Officer), Prof Iftikhar Manhas, Prof Mohd Zaman, Manzer Khayam, Khawaja, Altaf Hussain Janjua, Nadeem Hamdani, Moulana Ajaz-ul-Haq Bukhari, Zaheer Abbas, Prof Mushtaq Ahmed Saddiqui and Sarwar Chouhan (Retired SSP).
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