The general perception about development is that, when nation grow people benefit. But most often it is an exception rather than a rule. The sprit of inclusive growth is seen in states where government approach is largely welfarist. In a global world a large number of people are left behind. The gap between poor and rich is widening despite the best efforts and intention of the government. One of the factor behind it is the increasing hold of companies over resources which are basically unconcerned about the interest of common people as they are under no obligation or commitment towards social welfare. In contrast the religious community have an excellent record of social service specially in the field of health and education. A large number of such institution representing all faiths are serving people across the length and breath of the country. The scope and dimension of community service are unlimited. What is needed is a sense of responsibility in all of us so that we understand the plight and misery of faceless poor who have no religious identity except their poverty. There is general agreement among all faiths that all of us are the children of same parents – Adam and Eve. The world is a family of God and all faiths have certain provisions which mandate care of poor downtrodden and weak. How can we act so indifferently when it comes to sharing bounties of nature or the joys and sorrow of life together.

As we pay taxes to the government we tend to forget that there is another tax levied by God to set aside a certain amount for the welfare of the poor people. It is a duty to be performed by every well to do person, no matter which faith he belongs to. It is under this background that Alhikmah Foundation has chosen the topic “Interfaith Partnership for Development”, for the seminar organized on the 19th Annual Day Function of the Foundation held on 28th March 2010 at India Islamic Culture Centre, New Delhi.
To be true this seminar is the sequel to the series on “Peace & Development” that was started exactly 5 years ago in the year 2005. Actually in the year 2005 on the similar occasion – Annual Day Function the Foundation launched this series with a topic on National Development and our Responsibilities. On that occasion leading figures of four vital spheres of our life viz Media, Education, Religion and Politics expressed their views with special reference to the responsibilities of their respective fields.

The 2006 seminar was focused at investigating the proper place for peaceful environment in development viz a viz the citizen’s responsibility thereof. The spot light in 2007 was on Healthy Value for establishing peace. Last year we discussed the topic Present Challenges in Maintaining Peace. The centre of our attention today is how the followers of different faiths can come forward and join hands for the cause of National Development while at the same time strictly adhering and practicing the tenets of their respective religions. All these topic are self telling about the ideological inclination and orientation of the group as such.

Dr. S. Y. Qureshi, IAS and the Election Commissioner of India was the Chief Guest in the seminar and it was presided over by Dr. Tahir Mehmood, former Chairman, National Commission for Minorities.
The speakers in this seminar comprised of Maulana Salman Hussaini Nadvi, Prof. and Faculty of Sharia, Darul Uloom Nadva and Rector, Jamia Saiyid Ahmad Shaheed, Lucknow, Swami Laxmi Shankaracharya, Founder President, Hindu Muslim Ekta Manch and Chairman, Bharat Jan Sewa Trust, Dr. M. D. Thomas, National Director, Commission of Religious Harmony, CBCI, New Delhi and Dr. Harvinder Singh, General Secretary of AIBEA.

In the inaugural speech of the seminar Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairman, Alhikmah Foundation explained that this topic Interfaith Partnership for Development is the culmination of the series on Peace and National Development started in the year 2005. He expressed that it is incumbent upon all of us to maintain peace and tranquility at any cost and we must always observe moral and ethical values derived from our respective faiths for the establishment of peace. He asked the speakers to come forward and discuss the different aspect of the topic in detail.