ISLAMABAD: In a bid to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance, Action for Impact is hosting a series of webinars spotlighting the role ofeducationinfosteringpeace and inclusiveness in Pakistan.

A statement issued here said that the third session, held on Friday, brought together voices to discuss the transformative potential of educational institutions in building a more tolerant society.

The panel featured Dr Tahira Naimat, chief executive officer of Foundation for Human Development andPeace (FHDP), and Dr Efraheem Matthew, deputy director Medical and Health Services.

The speakers outlined the complexities within Pakistan`s fragmented education system, spanning private, public, and religious sectors. They noted that despite the introduction of the Single National Curriculum (SNC), inconsistencies across curricula remained, particularly in promoting interfaith understanding and inclusivity.

Dr Naimat stressed the urgent need for sweeping educational reforms. She highlighted how Islamic studies dominate the curriculum, leav-ing minimal space for the representation of other religions, a situation that, she warned, bred feelings of exclusion among minority faith communities.

Dr Naimat also called for reforms within madressah education, urging that religious seminaries incorporate teachings that foster pluralism and coexistence.

Criticising the curriculum for its religious and gender biases, she advocated for the removal of hate speech and the promotion of universal values such as peace, empathy, and critical thinking. She said teacher training must prioritise diversity and inclusivenessfrom an early stage to counter ingrained prejudices.

Dr Efraheem Matthew pointed to challenges faced by minority communities, particularly the lack of formal education among many Christian religious leaders. He argued for the importance of cultivating knowledgeable religious scholars across all faiths to support the cause of inclusive education.

Highlighting systemic weaknesses such as socioeconomic divides, outdated teaching methods and religious segregation, Dr Matthew called for broader reforms. He proposed hiring teachers from various faiths to teach religious stud-ies, ensuring a more representative educationalexperience.

Moreover, he recommended celebrating religious festivals like Diwali, Holi and Easter in schools, alongside granting religious holidays to non-Muslim students to strengthen social cohesion.

Zartasha Niazi, CEO of Action for Impact, said the government must take the lead in building a peaceful, inclusive educational environment. She advocated for exposure visits to places of worship of different faiths, engagement with faithbased leaders,and the development of a balanced curriculum to nurture a truly tolerant and harmonious country.