PESHAWAR: Literati and scholars during several sessions at University of Peshawar on Sunday asked youth to work for promoting culture of dialogue towards building tolerant and progressive society.

The sessions were arranged under the auspices of the ongoing fourth edition of Dosti Literature Festival on its sixth day at Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar.

Noted scholar Aslam Mir, who addressed as a keynote speaker a session titled`Literature and religion`, pointed out that literature and religion had been intertwined for centuries, influencing each other in profound ways. He said that literature most often bent upon exploring fundamental human questions regarding morality, ethics and human nature that were also central concerns of religion and should be understood in their true perspectives.

He said that both literature and religion employed rich linguistic terms to convey spiritual themes and moral lessons for human guidance and vision as literary works frequently incorporated religious themes, motifs and allusions for understanding human nature.

Mr Mir said that literary discourse could facilitate culture of dialogue through critical thinking among ethnici-ties and communities for closer human relationships, peaceful environment and anaccommodative worldview.

Prof Samiuddin Arman and Hayat Roghani gaveinsights into Bacha Khan`s philosophy of non-violence.

They said that world conflictswere resolved through wisdom, patience and love while violence bred hatred and discord.

In another session titled `Literature and its significance` was dedicated to highlighting of main features, purpose and its social implications.

Noted writer Prof Suhail Ahmed on the occasion said that through literature people could walk into other`s shoes, fostering empathy, compassion and understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences.

He said that literature could inspire personal growth, self-awareness and introspection that helped people to navigate life`s complexities and challenges.

Literature provided a window into historical events and contexts to better understand past and its impact on thelives of communities living in the present, he said.

Komal Salman, Humaira Mahwaish and Shaherzaad Laila delighted upon `Heartstrings of Khyber-Folklore, oral tradition and the relevance of heritage` while Khanzada Waqar spoke at length on `Psychological and mental struggle of youth and its coping mechanism with an Islamic perspective`.

Osama Siddique and Syed Rahmkar Ali Shah shed light on `Populism, politics and Pakistan` while Prof Anwar Aurakzai delivered a detailed lecture on `Pashto language course`.

The crux of the sessions was to educate youth on contemporary social, local and global issues, challenges and pragmatic solutions for building a society competing world race for progress and prosperity of the country.