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On the 9th December 2019, UNESCO Pakistan in collaboration with Jamia Usmania Madrassa organized a sports event in Islamia College Peshawar under the project “Learning for Empathy.” They organized a cricket match between the students of Jamia Usmania and Government Boys High School Kafoor Dheri, Peshawar. The match was an effort to integrate madrassa students with the students of the formal education system to demonstrate social harmony and peaceful co-existence among the youth.

Learning for Empathy is a UNESCO funded project that aspires to promote peace, interfaith harmony and tolerance in society through education. Student’s interaction through co-curricular activities is a source of teamwork, tolerance and mutual interest to develop a sense of acceptance and restraint among themselves.

Notable dignitaries from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) graced the occasion with their worthy presence. Chief Guest, Mahmood Jan shared his views on the significance of interaction and communication platforms for the students of madrassa and schools. The Deputy General of Sports also stressed the need to explore ways in which education and sports could promote peace and harmony in society.

Appreciating the role of UNESCO, the Special Secretary of elementary and secondary education, Mr. Zarif Ul Mani appreciated the efforts for achieving the SDG-4/ Education 2030 agenda for the provision of equitable and quality education for all learners. He highlighted the significance of education as an instrument for acceptance of diversity and the promotion of peace and interfaith harmony among different sections of society.

On summation, UNESCO Pakistan thanked the continued support provided by the Deputy Speaker of KP, Mufti Ghulam-Ur-Rehman representing the Madrassa system in KP and Government High School Kafoor Dheri, Peshawar for piloting the project. Ms. Sadia Bangash a Project Officer at UNESCO Islamabad highlighted the importance of involving youth from Madaris and schools for the promotion of interfaith harmony, peace, empathy and tolerance.

On the 10th December 2019 in the beautiful premises of Dar-ul-Uloom Jamia Usmania Peshawar, UNESCO Islamabad organized a Food and Cultural Festival. For the promotion of peace and harmony in youth, UNESCO Islamabad implemented a Japan-funded project to promote target 4.7 of the SDG-4/ Education 2030 Agenda that emphasizes the need for a value-based education system. Students from Jamia Usmania and Government High School Kafoor Dheri actively participated in the festival. The event highlighted different shades of diversity, interfaith harmony and tolerance, which are needed to build a peaceful nation. The poetry and drama sessions captured the interest of the audience.

The guests and audience expressed their excitement and need for having regular events amongst madrassa and school students to bridge the communication gap to build a better and progressive country through education. While concluding, it is pertinent to mention that such healthy activities make a huge difference towards tolerance, cultural and religious cohesion. These students will serve as a master trainer at various platforms at one point and will be motivating their peers, community members, religious leaders and families to mold their lives in light of tolerance and empathy for others.

Media Coverage:

https://pakistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_pf/features/2020/01/20/feature-02

URL:

https://en.unesco.org/news/message-learning-empathy