Members of the Lady of Our Fatima Church singing a hymn while a girl praying an during an event on occasion of 23rd of March. PHOTOS: MYRA IQBAL
It was beyond a Sunday prayer service. A select gathering at the Our Lady of Fatima Church in the federal capital offered prayers for the wellbeing of non-Muslim communities and the country.
The gathering of Christian community accompanied by members of the civil society uplifted spirits of those wanting to celebrate the day.
School children had gotten three days to prepare their presentations. The thumping of the feet during their dance on patriotic songs was louder than the music volume that was tuned down to maintain the decorum.
Dressed in traditional attire, children danced to the tunes from different provinces. Singing with smiles, they depicted a sense of equality that they wish to achieve as minorities in Pakistan.
Prayers and hymns by the church choir presented a message of peace and unity in society.
“Pakistan is our home. If our homes are safe, then we are safe”, said priest Michael Rehmat of the church.
Recalling contributions and sacrifices of minorities for the country, Rehmat said Pakistanis should know their responsibilities before they make a hue and cry about their rights.
He said that the Christian community was vulnerable and facing discrimination at various levels. While confronted with challenges, since the independence, Christians have contributed immensely to all sectors such as armed forces, social work, health and education. They have also managed to shelter orphans and raise them to become responsible citizens, he said.
Rehmat urged the government to focus on the rights of minorities and facilitate them to live with honour.
The representation of minorities in the parliament was not benefiting the community at large. “We feel that the seats given in the parliament are not justified. The way they [representatives] get there is also unacceptable,” he said.
With a grim expression, he said the city administration had announced to launch an operation to demolish slums of the capital- where majority of the dwellers are Christians.
The government had not made sufficient arrangements to provide alternative facility to the slum dwellers. “We as a community are financially weak, the government has to make schemes to provide alternative livelihood to those that will be suffering.”
“We pray for the day that there is no forced conversion and forced marriages,” said Tahira Abdullah, social activist while addressing the participants.
Abdullah said the division among the people on the basis of faith, language, creed and cast was a tragedy. The government should take steps to ensure equality and social justice to all citizens. “The white portion on the national flag deserves to be represented with pride,” she commented.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2014.
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The Government of Pakistan is one main miscreant to create rifts among the people and mock at their own State logo....."Faith, Unity, Discipline" .
It belongs to those backward Governments which compulsively endorse religion in our passports and create division and differentness among us.