BAJAUR: Religious scholars on Sunday urged the teachers and students of the seminaries to work for the promotion of harmony, tolerance and patience in the society. They were addressing the annual convention of Madrassa Anwarul Uloom, Khar, a leading seminary of the district. Scores of students, teachers and administrators of several seminaries from the district participated in the daylong event. Tribal elders, political and religious figures were also in attendance at the gathering. Awami National Party (ANP) MPA Nisar Khan, notable religious scholar Maulana Abdul Jabbar, Maulana Fazal Haq, Mufti Ihsanul Haq, Hafiz Mohammad Jan and Qari Ihsanullah were among the keynote speakers at the event. The speakers said that seminaries were not only the centres of religious education but also known for the their significant contribution to promotion of brotherhood, harmony and tolerance in the society since their establishment. “The seminaries are not only the fortresses of Islam and the great centres of all sorts of religious education but also have a significant role in the promotion of brotherhood and friendly and peaceful environment in the society during the past era,” they recalled. However, they noted that the role of the seminaries had witnessed a decline all across the country during the past couple of decades. The speakers also observed that the number of seminaries had seen a significant increase in the district over the last several years. But according to them the image and credibility of the seminaries among the local community was greatly affected in the district mainly because f the reason that the teachers and students lacked interest in local issues, especially in the promotion of tolerance and peace in the region. Some speakers said that there was still great respect of the seminaries and their teachers and students in many areas of the district, especially in rural parts owing to their active role in resolving of their day-to-day issues. Later, certificates were handed over to about 200 students of the seminary.