ISLAMABAD:
To highlight the diversity of Pakistani culture and the role of religious minorities in its development, a book was launched at Kuch Khaas on Thursday.
Author of the book, Dr Safdar Ali Shah, explained the significance of each church and gave its historical background.
“It was not by coincidence that the Christian community decided to join Pakistan, they campaigned for a separate country along with the Muslims when the resolution was moved,” said Shah.
It took Shah and his photographer Syed Javaid Kazi a year to travel all over the country to take pictures, compile and publish the book. Shah said it was fascinating to see the architecture and design of each church. “Christianity in this part of the world is as old as Christianity in Europe,” he added.
Some churches are a testament to their foreign builders, with typical European gothic design and stained glass specially imported for their construction. However, Shah elaborated that as the religion grew in Pakistan, the locals started building churches with materials available in their areas. He cited an example of a church in Multan that was made with local marble and tiles produced in that area. The church looks like a Sufi shrine. Similarly, churches in Nathiagali are made of wood.
Shah said that there is an effort to put some of the churches on the list of heritage sites. Some buildings when visited were very well preserved, while others, due to lack of funding, were not so well kept.
“Many buildings are very old and so huge that they cannot be maintained. Maintenance is an issue with some but not all. Majority are very well kept,” said Shah.
While speaking to The Express Tribune about the riots between locals and Christians, Shah said that this book aims to show the international community of how these places of worship is so well kept and well preserved in Pakistan.
He said most of the issues or riots between religious groups are at a local level and are usually blown out of proportion. “People usually make religion an excuse to fight,” said Shah. There are many new churches being built in Quetta, he added.
The 116-page book consists of about 300 pictures of different churches across Pakistan. The event was organised in collaboration with Asian Study Group.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Don't understand the debate in the comments under this article. FYI: The renovations to the church in Nathiagali which is featured on the cover were done at the initiation of Muslim summer-residents of that hill station. I believe the renovations were pushed by Farooq Rahmatullah who was at that time heading Shell Pakistan, and also a Muslim. The church was painted black prior to the renovations during which the black paint was scraped off to expose the natural wood below. This church was originally built by the British (locals were and are mostly still Muslims) but it still stands proud in the center of Nathiagali. It is a beautiful structure, and an asset to Pakistan's inheritance.
@Furqan: A sikh Gurdwara has been demolished in Mardan. Historical site... 150 year-old Gurdwara. Hypocrite
Beautiful title picture yar. Its seems good.
@Loneliberal PK:
I don’t know if its 4% by the policies of government and attitude of people for last 63 years is certainly such to reduce it to 4% or less. Two nation theory and all that. Even sitting MPAs are running away from Pakistan to India for instance, how much worst can it get.
@Furqan:
How did you get this idea? Burning of churches, bibles and Christians in Gogra is just one incident, and where culprits were let loose. Numerous false blasphemy charges are another way of persecution that is state sponsored. Add to that the daily persecution and discrimination by the general public. In India at least they are equal citizens under law and there is no sword of blasphemy law hanging on their necks. Have you forgotten why Salman Taseer and Shehbaz Bhatti were gunned down, and there was mass jubilation
This is my Pakistan..!! Pakistan that is rarely shown & Pakistan that our opponents don't wanna believe in(can judge from their comments) Every Community in Pakistan is Proud to be a part of Pakistan.!! United We Stand..!!
@Loneliberal PK:
But it makes PAK feel good about itself and that is what really is important.
A total non-Muslim population of 4% does not diversity make.
Most churches have been maintained well not because of their religious significance to the Christian community, but because of their historical significance to the country. And that too owing in no small part to the efforts and donations by Pakistanis Christians themselves.
I'm not sure if this can be truthfully marketed as look-how-much-we-care-about-diversity.
@Umer: Atleast minorities have been provided with protection in Pakistan. Unlike India no worship place of historic importance has been demolished
The persecution heaped on the Christian community is equally diverse, varied and cruel.
How many of these churches were built after creation of Pakistan? Hardly any.