Drama festival: Acting for interfaith harmony

Students from various institutions of the twin cities enact messages of peace and tolerance.


Obaid Abbasi April 16, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


A large number of students came forward to promote interfaith harmony at a drama competition held between various institutions at the Pakistan National Council for the Arts (PNCA) here on Friday.


Titled “Peace Performing Art”, the competition was organised by a non-government organisation, Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP) with the objective of creating awareness and spreading the message of peace and harmony among the people and students. Noted writer and peace activist Fauzia Minallah was the chief guest on the occasion.

Students from various schools and colleges, including City School, National Institute of Cultural Studies (NICS), Postgraduate College for Women, Satellite Town Rawalpindi, Shaheed Wali Khan Afghan School and ASAS International School took active part in the competition.

Minallah took the opportunity to urge the promotion of interfaith harmony as the country faces tough challenges. She advised students to play an active role for the country as they are its future. Participants performed plays based around messages of peace and condemnation of terrorism. They also sang national songs and highlighted the message of brotherhood.

Students of City School, who received the first prize in the competition, presented a drama in which Pakistan was depicted as a peace loving country, where people from different religions live side by side in harmony. However, some “outside” forces were shown trying to incite them to violence.

Ali, a student of class three from City School, received the ‘best actor’ prize. He told The Express Tribune that he rehearsed for only two days before the competition. ‘’On a very short notice, I prepared myself with great help from my teacher, despite having my final exam,” he said.

Zara, a participant from Post Degree College, received third position in acting. She suggested that such events should be held at least once a month so students can express themselves.

Meanwhile, a documentary launched by Minallah was also screened on the occasion. She highlighted the important role of education in the lives of girls, especially in the rural areas of the country where it is still considered taboo. Students watched the documentary with keen interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

aizah(fairy) | 12 years ago | Reply plz send more pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of (the CITY SCHOOL) and from a different angle!!!!!!!!!!
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ