If the leadership of a nation truly loves its people and the United Nations takes care of the countries across the world, peace must come back to the world, they said.

"We must look for commonality of religions rather than diversity for peace in the society."

The seminar titled 'The World at a Turning Point: True Leadership and Good Governance' was held at Sheraton Hotel.

Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP) organised the seminar on the occasion of inauguration of its Bangladesh chapter.

Chaired by President of IIFWP, Bangladesh chapter, and Vice- Chancellor of Southeast University Prof. M Shamsher Ali, the seminar was addressed by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan as chief guest.

Director General of IIFWP, India, and President of Women Federation for World Peace, Indian chapter, Ursula McLackland presented the keynote paper.

Dr Paresh Chandra Mandol, professor of Sangskrit Department, Dhaka University, Dr Thomas Costa, development director, Caritas Bangladesh, D P Barua, trustee of Bangladesh Buddhist Welfare Trust, Prof. Dr M Nazrul Islam and Zeenat Ara Bhuiyan took part in the discussion.

The speakers pointed out that humanity was prevailing in an age when transition was taking place at a faster pace than ever before and the world is increasingly feeling the urgency for dialogue among religions, harmony among the races and understanding across the cultures.

The efforts for world peace need to be enhanced by the wisdom of world's religious traditions, as well as by the leaders in the fields of arts, science and media, they said.

Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan said everybody should realise that in the present day world none could live alone and the world is a place to be shared among its population irrespective of race, religion and nationality.

He urged all to contemplate religion as their pride and said the question of religious majority and minority should be kept aside and everybody should help establish peace in the society.

Ursula MacLackland said the political leaders have failed to earn a good name as they kept themselves busy with their own parochial interests and do not regard the interests of the country or its people.

Dr Thomas Costa said where love stops, violence and deprivation begins there. A leader must be proactive with adequate religious knowledge, he added.

Referring to a recent survey in an Indian university where more than 50 per cent students favoured sex without marriage, D P Barua said Western cultures have been damaging our traditional family bond, religious and social values.