OPENING ADDRESS OF
GULSANA KOZHABAY,CHAIR OF THE BOARD
II Narowal Peace Dialogue
University of Narowal (Pakistan)
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
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Distinguished Minister Ahsan Iqbal,
Respected Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq,
Distinguished Scholars, Colleagues, Students,
It is a great honor for me to be here today at the Narowal Peace Dialogue.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the organizers for creating this meaningful and timely platform that brings together leaders, scholars, and young people around a shared commitment to peace.
I would also like to express my deep appreciation to a notable friend of Kazakhstan, the esteemed Professor Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, for his academic leadership and for his important role as a bridge-builder between the Congress of Religious Leaders in Kazakhstan and the Narowal Peace Dialogue in Pakistan.
I would also like to express my deep respect to the Government of Pakistan and to the distinguished Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal. In response to the attack you faced, you transformed it into a profound commitment to preventing such violence through dialogue. This approach sets a strong example for leaders around the world. It is deeply appreciated — thank you.
In this context, the Narowal Peace Dialogue carries a truly special mission: to prevent hatred, division, and radicalization.
Responses like this reflect the historical wisdom of Pakistani society and align with Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a strong, tolerant, and inclusive state, because dialogue is an integral part of all progress.
Being here, just an hour from Lahore, feels deeply symbolic. This land reflects the poetry of Allama Iqbal, the Sufi tradition of Data Darbar, and the spirit of qawwali — where dialogue is lived, not just spoken. The same spirit lives in Kazakhstan, where the Sufi legacy of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi fostered openness and coexistence along the Ancient Silk Road in our ancient city of Turkestan.
This brings me to a very important point:
What is the real role of dialogue today?
Because we must be honest: dialogue alone cannot stop wars, but it can prevent hatred from taking deep root. It works at the level of people’s hearts. Even when politics divides, dialogue reminds us of our shared humanity.
That is why dialogue is essential to maintaining balance. Balance is the key. In the age of AI, without it, the risks become even greater.
Thus, platforms like the Narowal Peace Dialogue and the Congress of Religious Leaders in Astana help restore that balance. They ensure that even in times of turbulence, humanity does not lose its moral compass.
This idea is very close to us in Kazakhstan. For more than two decades, we have worked to bring religious leaders together through the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Through this experience, we have learned something very important:
Dialogue does not happen by itself. It must be built, supported, and sustained. And trust me, it is very difficult. I will share our experience with you later today.
At the same time, we see that the future of dialogue increasingly depends on young people.
Because it is you — students and young leaders — who are making the choice between division and dialogue.
Dear colleagues, from Istanbul to New York, from Rabat to Tokyo, from Lahore to Astana, we see the same challenges and the same need for dialogue.
Let me conclude with a simple thought: peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the discipline of choosing dialogue when conflict becomes inevitable.
As it is said in the Holy Qur’an: “We made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another” (49:13). And today, in Narowal, we see this principle being put into practice.
Thank you.
