First International Islamic Peace Conference inaugurated

Mumbai, Nov 23 (UNI) In what may perhaps be the largest gathering of Islamic scholars, researchers and academicians from across the world, the first International Islamic Peace Conference&Exhibition started here today.

''Specially in the past decade, the picture painted about Islam is not the real one. It is distorted, mostly maligned image that is shown to the world. This platform does not seek to impose our thoughts on anyone. We just tell them the real message and the true spirit of Islam,'' Dr Zakir Naik, president of Islamic Research Foundation said while inaugurating the conference.

The Conference, which is expected to attract lots of international focus, saw an audience of over 40 thousand on the opening day.

The 10-day global event is seeing participation of more than 20 renowned scholars from over 10 countries. The Peace Conference got underway today at Sion's Somaiya Grounds and will carry on till December 2.

Organised by the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, Peace Conference focus is to create a better awareness and understanding of Islam and its message of peace for the entire humanity and to help remove misconceptions, false fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims globally.

The Peace Conference and its renowned global speakers will address some of the burning issues that face the world, and attempt to explore and suggest solutions for global peace.

The common thread in all the speeches will be 'peace is the solution for humanity'. ''Islam's true spirit is about love and peace, something the world needs today,'' adds Dr Naik.

The Conference opening day had a fair amount of non-muslim audiences, who were encouraged to ask questions on any issue on Islam after every speech. Several scholars would also deal with the rising extremism in the name of Islam.

Also opened simultaneously in an adjacent area to the Peace Conference was the Islamic Exhibition that presents Islam in its various facets. The exhibition depicts scope of democracy in Islam, its instructions against dogmas, and its rational approach in life.

It will be held daily between 1000 hrs to 1800 hrs presenting Islam and its various facets, adjacent to the conference area.

UNI