ISLAMABD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said Pakistan and Oman should work together to promote religious harmony, peace and tolerance in the world through interfaith and intercultural dialogue. “In light of the challenges and circumstances faced by Muslim countries today, there is a need to promote religious harmony, tolerance and unity. There is an urgent need for dialogue between religions and cultures to establish peace in the world. The attitude of tolerance and respect is an essential part of Islamic teachings,” Mr Salik said during a meeting with Oman’s Minister of Auqaf and Religious Affairs Mohammed bin Said bin Khalfan Al-Mamari during his three-day visit to Oman, says a press release. During the meeting, various proposals were discussed regarding eradicating increasing trends of religious intolerance, terrorism and sectarianism in the world and the establishment of peace, and the promotion of interfaith harmony. Chaudhry Salik Hussain emphasised that the Muslim world urgently needed unity and solidarity. He reiterated that there was a need to promote religious harmony, tolerance and unity in light of the challenges faced by Muslim countries these days. The federal minister proposed measures for the exchange of scholars and religious experts and organising religious events to deepen the understanding of Islamic teachings. Both sides also agreed on possible cooperation to improve the curriculum of religious schools in accordance with contemporary Islamic teachings. Chaudhry Salik Hussain proposed establishing student exchange programmes for the study of Sharia, the teachings of the Quran, and Islamic history in the religious institutions of both countries.