Communities unite in Christmas celebrations

Locals, village committee distribute meals, sweets

JARANWALA:

Muslims and Christians came together in a rare show of mutual respect, sharing festivities of Christmas and spreading joy across in Arfa Karim Nagar on Wednesday.

In Chak 4 JB Arfa Karim Nagar, Muslim residents prepared and distributed sweet rice to 215 Christian households in the village a day ahead of Christmas.

Members of the local village committee also distributed sweets during the Christmas mass as a sign of respect and solidarity.

Meanwhile, Maulana Sikandar Hayat Zaki, senior vice president of Muttahida Jamiat Ahle-Hadith and a member of the district peace committee, hosted a dinner for dozens of pastors and priests in Jaranwala.

He visited churches and Christian homes in both urban and rural areas to exchange greetings, reinforcing the message of peace and coexistence.

The management of a private bank in Warispura, a predominantly Christian area of Faisalabad, also joined in the celebrations by organising a cake-cutting ceremony with Christian account holders and distributing gifts among the community.

A grand Christmas celebration, organised by the Markazi Bain-ul-Mazahib Aman Committee (Central Interfaith Harmony Council), was held at a local hotel.

The event featured simultaneous recitations from the Quran and the Bible by Muslim prayer leaders and Christian priests, with attendees bowing their heads in mutual respect

Balloons were released as a symbol of peace and love, and Faisalabad City Police Officer Kamran Adil, along with other officers and Islamic scholars, joined hands with Christian leaders such as Bishop Andreas Rehmat of the Central Catholic Church to cut a Christmas cake.

The Municipal Committee Jaranwala also hosted a vibrant Christmas function where the national anthem was played, and people from both communities participated. The event emphasised coexistence and unity, with another cake-cutting ceremony symbolising shared joy.

Agriculture University Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Sarwar invited the Bishop of Faisalabad and his team to a special Christmas celebration aimed at promoting cross-cultural dialogue, tolerance, and brotherhood.