Eid Milan Party held at Christian Study Centre

RAWALPINDI:

A joint ‘Eid Milan Party’ was held at the Christian Study Centre in connection with the religious festivals of Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Transgender and Baha’i communities. A dinner was also hosted by the Christian Study Centre on this occasion. Held under the slogan of ‘inter-faith harmony’, the gathering was addressed by the Federal Shariat Court Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar, Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz, Islamic Research Institute Director General Dr Ziaul Haq, Member of the Palestinian Parliament Mamnoon Asad and religious leaders including Allama Haider Alvi, Allama Arif Wahidi, Ms Uzma from the transgender community, Ms Kavita from Hindu community, Ms Shagufa from Baha’i community, Bishop Ezraiah from Christian community, Christian Study Centre Director Rashid Manzoor, Nadeem from Buddhist community and Institute of Development Research & Corresponding Capabilities (IDRAC) Executive Director Amjad Nazir.

In his address, the Federal Shariat Court chief justice said that Islam teaches interfaith harmony and that Pakistan's position regarding minorities’ rights is much better than in other countries. The chief justice said: “Islam teaches humanity and even today the importance of Palestine is the same among Muslims and Christians. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that there are also believers among the people of the Book.”

The chief justice said that being a minority does not reduce the importance and status [of anyone]. “At present, if there is a lack of female leadership, it is a matter of concern. Islam gave the most rights to women. Today, there is a need to organise inclusive celebrations of all religions. We have forgotten the lesson of interfaith harmony that Islam has taught [us],” he said. The Council of Islamic Ideology chairman said everyone has rights in the Constitution of 1973. “If we follow this Constitution, we can make a beautiful Pakistan.”

The director general of the Islamic Research Institute stressed bringing harmony between all religions. “If there is a fire, it has to be extinguished. We have to understand the importance of interfaith dialogue,” he said. Mamnoon Asad, a member of the Palestinian parliament, said that the Holy Quran states that nations are only for identity.