Mangaluru; Religious heads and scholars, of many faiths on Monday gave a united call for peace and unity with human values and nationalism being the only binding force.

Speaking at the inter-religion intellectual meet on peace, harmony and national integration organised by Rights Awareness and Knowledge Society (RANKS) here, Khazi Shaikuna Twaka Ahmed Musliyar of Mangaluru termed the patronage enjoyed by Islam community during the reign of erstwhile Hindu kingdoms in the undivided Canara then as the best example of religious tolerance. It is also recorded by Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta who was the connoisseur of thousands of muslims living in peace during the rule of a Hindu king here , he said.

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilayasi, Chief Imam, Delhi; Sugunendra Tirtha, seer of Udupi Puttige Mutt, Shaikuna Twaka Ahmed Musliyar, Kazi, Mangaluru; Indresh Kumar, a leader of the Rashtriya Swavam Sevak Sangh; Abdul Rasheed, president, Ullal Dargah Committee; and Father Valerian D’Souza addressed the gathering.

Musliyar said several Hindu kings were benevolent and granted land for mosques. One of the oldest mosques that dates back to over 1,000 years and was rechristened Zeenat Baksh by erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Tipu Sultan which is a historic monument at Bundar here in Mangaluru, he added.

Udupi Putthige Mutt seer Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji said true to its name, Mangaluru is auspicious. It is the abode of all religions, spreading the message of peace and unselfishness, he added. Peace propagates unselfishness and war stems from selfishness. When compared to other countries, India always vouches for truce without war. But it is only when the other countries indulge in war (against India), the country replies in a fitting manner, he said.

Chief Imam from Delhi Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said, "The significance of India as a land of multi-culture and languages should be maintained in the right spirit. Any differences should be isolated in the house. Outside, everybody is an Indian,"

Milagres parish priest Valerian D’Souza, who spoke on behalf of Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza (who could not make it to the programme due to some unavoidable circumstances of Mangaluru diocese), reminded the gathering of the first impression of Mangaluru in the mind of none other than Mother Teresa during her visit to the city. "Nobody should feel that there is none to care and love for," these were the words uttered by Mother on being witness to the fabric of culture in the coast, he said.

Ullal Dargah Committee president Abdul Rasheed blamed disturbances in the society to some of the decisions of the government without taking people into consideration. While a majority of people prefer to live in peace and harmony, it is only due to a few people, untoward incidents are reported in the society, he said.