“Walk of Hope” welcomed at AMU

ALIGARH:The students, faculty members and the authorities of the Aligarh Muslim University welcomed the “Walk of Hope”, a Padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, an initiative of Manav Ekta Mission led by noted Vedic scholar, humanist and writer, Sri M to propagate the message of love, peace and harmony amongst the common people.


Welcoming the Walk at the newly established Centre of Interfaith Understanding, Sir Syed Academy, the Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah said that the entire AMU community was standing with Sri M from shoulder to shoulder in this unique venture of bringing the people of India together. He pointed out that the main objective of the Walk were interfaith harmony, equality for all, sustainable living, women empowerment, community health and education and youth development.

Lt. Gen. Shah said that the Walk of Hope would rejuvenate the spirit of love, peace and oneness. He said that the AMU has taken initiative to promote interfaith understanding and dialogue amongst different religions by establishing a Centre of Interfaith Understanding. He asserted that Islam is a religion of peace.

Sri M, leader of Manav Ekta Mission said that the Padyatra comprising about 70 people from different walks of life, commenced on January 12, 2015, the birth anniversary of prophet of interfaith harmony, Swami Vivekananda, and will culminate at Hazrat Bal shrine in Kashmir later in the month of April 2016. He said that this Walk of Hope has covered 5800 kilometers out of the target distance of 7500 kilometers.

Sri M, who received a very warm welcome at the AMU campus, called upon Indian youth to wake up to the challenge posed by the forces who wish to destroy the fabric of peace in the name of religion. He said, “India is a unique country in the world and for millennia, it has been a symbol of religious pluralism”. He said that no religion teaches violence.

Pro-Vice Chancellor, Brig. S. Ahmad Ali, Registrar Dr. Asfar Ali Khan, Finance Officer Prof. S. M. Javaid Akhtar and a number of university officials and students participated in the walk.Prof. Tariq Ahmad, Director, Centre of Interfaith Understanding welcomed the guests. Prof. Shakeel Samdani and Dr. Hussain Haider also spoke on the occasion.