Islam and Buddhism in South East Asia

“Islam remains a grossly misunderstood religion in South-east Asia, and the Muslim world needs to focus on this significant region for enhancing its proper understanding.

“Islam remains a grossly misunderstood religion in South-east Asia, and the Muslim world needs to focus on this significant region for enhancing its proper understanding. The Muslims and Buddhists living together for over four centuries in Southeast Asia need to develop mutual common ground for the region’s peace, stability and development.”

These views were expressed in a session titled “Islam in Southeast Asia: An Overview” organized jointly by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad and Helping Hand for Relief & Development (HHRD) Pakistan office on 23 September 2013 at IPS.

Renowned visiting Thai scholar Prof. Dr. Imtiyaz Yusaf, Director, Center for Buddhist-Muslim Understanding, Mahidol University, Thailand was the main speaker.

The noted scholar shed light on history of Islam and Muslim-Buddhist relations in the region. He was of the view that the two religions have a number of common values that can be built upon. The two religions, he remarked, have been on the same page as far as the humanity’s greater benefit is concerned.

Khalid Rahman, DG IPS and Fazal-ur-Rehman, Country Director HHRD underscoring the importance of study of Southeast Asia in Pakistan, vowed to organize further joint programs on the subject.