Children play near a Christmas tree ahead of Christmas in Islamabad December 24, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS
A number of diplomats and members of the Catholic clergy from all over Pakistan were joined by politicians and residents of the twin cities at the event.
In his speech, the papal nuncio, Archbishop Ghaleb Bader, noted that Christmas this year is around the same time as Eid Milad, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. “We will all share messages of love with each other,” said the Jordanian-born priest.
“Thank you for being here, Christians, Muslims, other religions, and even non-believers. Allah is for us all. He is not my property, I don’t possess Him. He is the King of us all,” Archbishop Bader underlined. He then moved on to Christmas wishes, saying, “We are celebrating Christmas, and wishing peace to all on earth.”
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The Holy See’s representative also delivered an important message of unity, stating that, “We believe different religions, but if we believe in God and trust God, we can live in peace.”
The Vatican envoy also urged the assembly to help humanity however they could, and reminded that “we celebrate in different manners, but I hope we all learn to accept all and live peacefully with each other.”
After dinner, the archbishop opened the floor for Christmas carols. The singing rotated between guests, who sang in their mother tongues, allowing for something akin to a tour of the world.
On the sidelines, a priest reminded The Express Tribune about the hardships faced in Pakistan by religious minorities in general, and Christians in particular. Special reference was made to the bigoted Capital Development Authority report, submitted in the Supreme Court, on Christians migrating to Islamabad from across the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2015.
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