Nov 8, Amritsar:  The Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Muhammad Salim Engineer participated in the Interfaith World Peace Conference organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at the Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev.

Addressing the conference, Muhammad Salim Engineer said: “I congratulate the office bearers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and offer my greetings to the entire Sikh fraternity spread throughout the world on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Parv of Shri Gurunanakji. I have been invited along with other faith leaders and you can see religious leaders of different faiths sitting on stage. This is the real picture of India.  We are all here to give the message of peace and justice.”

Talking about the contribution of the founder of the Sikh religion, the JIH Vice President said: “Guru Nanakji popularized the message of ‘Tawheed’ (the unity of God). The worship of One God implies that we are all one mankind, all are equal, nobody is superior and none are inferior.

Everyone deserves respect including women and children. This was the message of Guru Nanakji.  We know he studied all religions and incorporated the teachings of all religions in the Sikh faith. The principles of Islam are reflected in his teachings. Belief in One God, accountability in the Hereafter and service to mankind are some of Guru Nanakji’s noble teachings. He emphasized that closeness to God means love to mankind. He opened his doors to all, irrespective of caste and class. ”

Salim Engineer described the teachings of Islam by saying: ” I come from the Islamic faith and represent Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Islam gives the noble rule that every person should be respected because he is human. He deserves equal status.  Islam means peace. Peace is possible only when man obeys God and submits his will to his Creator. That path of piety and closeness to God is possible only by serving humanity. I pray to God to show us the path towards him and that we all become his true followers.”

The JIH Naib Ameer was accompanied by Ameer e Halqua of Punjab, Janab Abdush-Shakoor. They also visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar.