400th Gurpurab celebrations-Punjabi university Religious study department organised webinar
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
As per the guidelines of the Punjab Government, a webinar dedicated to the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur was conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala on 6 July 2021. The theme of the webinar was ‘The Comparative Study of World Religions and its Relevance in the Contemporary World’.
The webinar started with the university dhuni. This webinar was moderated by Dr. Mohammad Habib, Head, Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala. He said that the foundation stones of Guru Gobind Singh Bhawan were laid by the then President Dr. Zakir Hussain to connecting the event with the Sain Mian Mir the eminent Sufi Saint of the time who was invited to laid the foundation stone of The Golden Temple by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
The Deptt. was named after the Tenth Guru of Sikhism The great Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Therefore, it was dedicated to his tercentenary and well connected with the ethos of the region. This is the first department of its own kind in Asia where all the world religions are being taught under one roof. Since then it is a common platform for studying, teaching and research of the various facets of different religions. Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof. Arvind presided over the webinar.
He said that the topic of the webinar was very important and this message should reach everywhere. Speaking about the Department of Religious Studies of the University, he said that the University is proud to have such a department which has its own significance. Different religions are being studied under one roof. Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, President of Maulana Azad University, in his inaugural address said that Guru Granth Sahib also contains the words of followers of other religions. He said that people of different religions should remain united in their religion and work together against the evils and diseases prevalent in the society. Finally, he said that the faith of religions should be kept away from political hypocrisy.
The keynote speaker of the webinar was Prof. Hamidullah Marazi, Head, Department of Religious Studies, Central University, Kashmir. Prof. Hamidullah in his speech said that the study of all the religions of the world has been started and it is a great initiative.
The study of religion began in Europe and later spread to other countries. It is important to understand religions in order to preserve human values. If scientists are aware of the doctrines and teachings of religion, they will do well to humanity with the help of science and if they are ignorant of religion, they will destroy humanity in pursuit of personal gain with the help of science. Sikh Gurus and other religious personalities taught to do good to the humanity. Punjab Rattan awardee Jaswant Singh Puri, also attended the webinar.
400th Gurpurab celebrations-Punjabi university Religious study department organised webinar . At the end Prof. Balveer Singh Sandhu, Dean Academic Affairs, Punjabi University, Patiala gave a vote of thanks. He congratulated Dr. Mohammad Habib, his staff, researchers and students of the Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala for organizing a great event and said that the theme of the webinar was the need of the hour. He said that Baba Farid Center for Sufi Studies has contributed to the success of the webinar.
July 6,2021
