A Review of Opinions of Scholars on Contemporary Issues and Future Plans for Interfaith Harmony

Interfaith harmony refers to the peaceful coexistence and cooperation between people of different religious beliefs. This abstract focuses on the need for interfaith harmony, the challenges that hinder it, and the way forward towards achieving it. The need for interfaith harmony arises from the diversity of religious beliefs and practices around the world, which can lead to misunderstanding, conflict, and violence. Interfaith harmony promotes mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among people of different faiths, which can lead to a more peaceful and just society. However, achieving interfaith harmony is not without challenges. These challenges include ignorance, prejudice, fear, and mistrust among people of different faiths. There are also social, economic, and political factors that can contribute to the breakdown of interfaith relations. To overcome these challenges, there are several ways forward towards achieving interfaith harmony. These include education and awareness-raising initiatives that promote interfaith understanding and dialogue. There are also interfaith organizations that bring people of different faiths together for mutual cooperation and support. Additionally, there are political and legal measures that can protect the rights of religious minorities and ensure their full participation in society. In conclusion, interfaith harmony is essential for building a peaceful and just society. While there are challenges to achieving it, there are also ways forward towards promoting interfaith understanding, cooperation, and respect.

Impediments to Social Integration of Women Returning to Shelter Home: A Case Study of Punjab Province, Pakistan

Pakistani society is patriarchal and most women in Pakistan experience various and multiple types of violence throughout their lives. Leaving an abusive relationship is a difficult decision for women and sometimes multiple attempts are made to leave the household. This study uses a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews to study the experiences of 57 women who had returned to shelter homes in eight districts of the Punjab province, Pakistan after attempting re-integration into their communities. Focus group discussions (FGDs) with 34 service providers of shelter homes were conducted in five major districts of Punjab. The findings that emerged from the interviews and FGDs indicated that women faced abuse which was associated with individual, relationship and societal level factors. When women tried to re-integrate back into the communities they faced life threats, psychological abuse and legal consequences due to the stigma and honour issues associated with fleeing abuse to take refuge in shelter homes. The women in the study proposed various recommendations including the need for domestic violence legislation criminamlizing abuse. Recommendations of the study include developing campaigns to increase awareness of violence against women and women’s right as well as the need for education, skill training and income stability for women and counseling and follow up services at shelter homes for women shelter users.