PESHAWAR: In order to learn about various religions, promote racial and religious harmony in the region, the students of various educational institutions, mainly universities, have started visiting worship places of different beliefs in Peshawar.

More than 50 male and female students from various universities of the provincial capital, including University of Peshawar, paid visit to Gurdwara in Hashtnaghri here on Sunday, according to a statement.

Earlier, students had also visited a Gurdwara in Dabgari Peshawar,whichwasarranged byPEADFoundationunderits `Women Peace Building Network`project.

The students were welcomed by Sikh community leader Charan Jeet Singh and were oriented about the basic faith and practices of Sikh religion.

On the occasion, Mr Singh emphasised that being human beings and believers in one creator, they should live together peacefully.

`The region is going through a critical time and we desperately need to look into the positive aspects of all religions for peaceful coexistence and sustainable peace,` he stressed.

The students also had a question answer session.

PEAD senior coordinator Shagufta Khalig said that more visits were planned in the coming days to develop understanding among people from various faiths, especially students, so they might effectively contribute to the process of peace building.

`Through this step students will learn how different races can do their part in promoting racial and religious harmony in the country. This will also help foster better community integration and racial harmony,` she added.

`I had never seen a Gurdwara in my life and thus had many wrong perceptions, but I am surprised to see that I was wrong as we were welcomed so warmly by the Sikh community members,` Rashid Khan, coordinator of the provincial youth assembly, said.

Aizaz, another student, said the students needed to understand other religions to do away with the misunderstandings about other faiths.

He said students must come forward to promote long-lasting peace in the region.