Marking Xmas: ‘Govt taking great interest in securing minorities’ rights’

Christmas ceremonies organised across the province

BAHAWALPUR/ FAISALABAD:

RPO Ehsan Sadiq said on Friday that the values of tolerance, respect and humanity could be promoted by disseminating the message of peace and unity through religious platforms.

Sadiq made the comments while addressing guests at a ceremony organised in connection with Quaid-i-Azam Day and Christmas. The RPO said religious scholars were the messengers of peace. Stressing the need for large-heartedness, he said, this constituted the basis of national development.

Sadiq said no religion preached terrorism. He said terrorists and extremists had noting do with any religion. Sadiq said religious places of all people—mosques, churches and temples—were sacred. He said police would continue to secure them.

Lawmaker Masood Alam said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had furthered the message of treating religious minorities well. This, he said, obligated Muslims to protect minorities. Qari Ghulam Yaseen Siddique said maintaining order and protecting the nation was a collective responsibility of the people. He said everyone had to do to their bit in this regard.

Father Nadeem Joseph said the denizens of Bahawalpur lived in amity. He said they shared each other’s happiness and sorrow. Joseph said Christianity taught the lesson of tolerance.

Govt taking great interest in securing minorities’ rights

Cooperatives’ Minister Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar said that the government had been taking great interest in securing minorities’ rights and ensuring their welfare.

He made the remarks while addressing a cheque-distribution ceremony at Circuit House. Rs5,000-cheques were distributed among disadvantaged, widowed and orphan Christians on the occasion as a Christmas giveaway. The minister said minorities had been leading peaceful lives across the nation. He said the government had been extending scholarships to gifted children from the minorities. Channar said free medical services were being provided to minorities.

Earlier, Fathers Nadeem Joseph and Iftikhar Moon praised the government for sending gifts to disadvantaged Christians on the occasion of Christmas.

The DCO, the AC and the Fathers also cut a Christmas cake on the occasion.

Xmas marked at Faisalabad varsity

Islam seeks to establish a just society where there is no room for religious discrimination, UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said.

The VC made the remarks at a cake-cutting ceremony organised in the city’s Shahbaz Town (Christians’ Colony). Extending Christmas and New Year wishes on the occasion, Khan said he was delighted to be present at the event.

He said the Shariah treated Muslims and non-Muslims on an equal footing. The VC said it extended no special privileges to one over another.

He said Xmas marked the day when a harbinger of love, peace, compassion and tolerance had come into the world.

“The time is ripe for us to dedicate ourselves to following the noble ideas of Jesus Christ (PBUH). We should work for the betterment and welfare of humanity and do our bit to make the world a safer place to live in,” he said.

The VC said the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH) were equally relevant for both Christians and Muslims. He said his message of love, tolerance and sacrifice was relevant for people the world over.

Khan said he had made an announcement regarding the construction of a Church during last year’s Xmas celebrations. He said the UAF had formally notified a church committee with regard to overseeing its construction. Khan also handed over a Rs0.5million-cheque to elders of the Christian community to finance the construction of the church. He said the varsity intended to establish a school in Shahbaz Town’s vicinity in a bid to convince its residents to send their children to get educated.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2015.