29/09/2026
Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri Represents Pakistan at International Conference in Moscow, Calls for Faith-Led Efforts Toward Global Peace
Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Deputy Chairman, Board of Governors, Minhaj University Lahore, and holder of the UNESCO Chair on Peace Education and Intercultural Dialogue, represented Pakistan at the International Scientific and Practical Conference in Moscow, held under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia. Addressing the gathering, he said that at a time of widespread conflict and growing global unrest, religious and spiritual leaders have a vital role to play in promoting peace, strengthening unity, and fostering harmony among nations.
Organized in collaboration with relevant Russian institutions, the conference brought together religious leaders, government officials, university vice chancellors, scholars, and representatives of political, social, and academic circles from approximately 56 countries. Proceedings focused on how religious and spiritual leadership can contribute meaningfully to resolving conflicts in different parts of the world.
Dr. Hussain Qadri described the discussions and proposals put forward by participating delegations as highly valuable, noting that the conference served as an effective international platform for dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation across religions and cultures. "The strength of faith can unite nations and drive positive social development," he said, adding that religious leaders should use their influence to advance peace and shared human values.
Speaking about the broader foundation of interfaith and intrafaith harmony, Dr. Hussain Qadri said that a careful study of the world's religions reveals a fundamental reality: the human being lies at the heart of every religious tradition. He observed that Allah Almighty has granted every human being dignity, honour, and the fundamental right to respect from the moment of birth, before the existence of modern states, national borders, passports, linguistic barriers, and other political or geographical divisions. Respect for the human being, he said, is therefore not a right conferred by nationality, geography, or political identity, but a fundamental human value and right.
Dr. Hussain Qadri further said that countries are not made merely by their buildings, borders, institutions, or infrastructure, but by the people who live in them. Similarly, religions are not represented merely by their books or places of worship, but are reflected in the character, conduct, values, and collective lives of their followers. In both cases, he said, the human being remains the central concept. If human rights, dignity, life, peace, and security continue to be compromised, states are not fully fulfilling their responsibilities, nor are religious, sectarian, and social communities fulfilling theirs. He therefore called for a fundamental rethinking of collective priorities, with the human being placed at the centre of political, religious, spiritual, and social activities. If religious, political, and spiritual leaders genuinely make humanity the focus of their thought and decisions, he said, meaningful positive change in the world can be accelerated.
Explaining his perspective through the metaphor of a window, Dr. Hussain Qadri said that religions and different spiritual and intellectual traditions can be understood as windows through which people view the world, humanity, and one another. The true value of a window, he explained, does not lie in the costliness of its frame or glass, but in how clearly the world outside can be seen through it. If the glass is cloudy, even a beautiful scene appears blurred; conversely, even a simple window can provide a clear view if its glass is clean.
He observed that in the contemporary world, many religious, sectarian, social, and political perspectives have, in one way or another, become clouded, making it difficult to see the complete human reality with clarity. He stressed that religious, spiritual, and political leadership has a responsibility to continually clear its own "windows" and broaden its perspective, not only for itself but also for the communities it leads.
He added that when the view becomes clear, people are able to recognize the rights, dignity, suffering, and needs of others. Differences may remain, he said, but differences should not become a reason for abandoning respect for the human being. A human-centred approach can provide a shared foundation for interfaith and intrafaith harmony, as well as for better relations, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among nations and societies.
Highlighting a lesser-known dimension of the Muslim world, Dr. Hussain Qadri observed that while global audiences are familiar with Muslim communities in the Middle East, there is comparatively little awareness of the millions of Muslims living in Russia and Central Asia, or of their history, culture, and social contributions. He noted that more than 3.5 million Muslims reside in Moscow alone. Gatherings of this kind, he said, offer an important opportunity to showcase the religious life and positive contributions of Russia's Muslim communities to the wider world.
Prof. Dr. Hussain Qadri said that the world today needs a fundamental human-centred shift in its political, religious, spiritual, and social priorities. Human dignity, fundamental rights, life, peace, security, and human welfare, he emphasized, should remain at the centre of collective decisions and actions. If religious, political, and spiritual leaders keep their respective "windows" clear, broaden their perspectives, and place humanity at the centre of their thought and action, a stronger foundation can be established for interfaith, intrafaith, national, and global peace and harmony.
He also acknowledged the Russian government's support for religious, social, and cultural activities related to Islam, stating that state-backed initiatives such as this conference help bring the experiences and perspectives of Russian Muslims to international attention.
Conveying a message of goodwill on behalf of the people of Pakistan, Dr. Hussain Qadri reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and meaningful dialogue among religions, civilizations, and nations. He added that Pakistan's participation in such forums, together with closer ties between the religious, academic, and social communities of both countries, can further strengthen Pakistan–Russia relations and open new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The conference was attended by representatives of Muslim organizations, religious scholars, and leaders of various faith communities within Russia. Minhaj-ul-Quran International's participation contributed to a rich exchange of religious, spiritual, and scholarly perspectives among delegates from diverse countries and faith traditions.
