National Minority Day: Service and sacrifices of minorities commemorated
Minorities in Pakistan have the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens, says member Punjab Assembly.
"Minorities in Pakistan have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens," said member Punjab Assembly and minorities leader Ms. Najmi Saleem. IMAGE: Screengrab from footage of Express News.
LAHORE:
Pakistan celebrated National Minority Day on Sunday August11 to honour the services and sacrifices rendered by religious minorities for the country over the years.
In a special service conducted by the Cathedral Church of Lahore, Pakistani Christians not only prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation but also sang popular national songs to profess their love for the country.
A candlelight ceremony was also held to promote the message of peace.
On the occasion, Shahid Mairaj, the Dean of the Cathedral said, "The governing principle is to let people of every faith live in peace as they choose, and understand that the state belongs to everyone. This country is our mother, and it is a duty for all of us to help it advance and flourish."
August11 marks the celebration of minorities' day in Pakistan as it was on this date that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, during his speech at the first legislative assembly of the country, proclaimed all minorities as equal citizens of the new nation. He had urged that individual creeds would have no bearing on state operations whatsoever.
"Minorities in Pakistan have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens," said member Punjab Assembly and minorities leader Najmi Saleem.
Sardar Bishan Singh, a Sikh leader shared similar thoughts and remarked that all citizens of Pakistan worked together for the growth of the country.
Pakistan is host to a minority population that comprises of various groups but is mostly dominated by Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. The National Minority Day is meant to not only express gratitude for the contributions made by these communities but also to profess that future development hinges crucially on the efforts of these communities.
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Pakistan celebrated National Minority Day on Sunday August11 to honour the services and sacrifices rendered by religious minorities for the country over the years.
In a special service conducted by the Cathedral Church of Lahore, Pakistani Christians not only prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation but also sang popular national songs to profess their love for the country.
A candlelight ceremony was also held to promote the message of peace.
On the occasion, Shahid Mairaj, the Dean of the Cathedral said, "The governing principle is to let people of every faith live in peace as they choose, and understand that the state belongs to everyone. This country is our mother, and it is a duty for all of us to help it advance and flourish."
August11 marks the celebration of minorities' day in Pakistan as it was on this date that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, during his speech at the first legislative assembly of the country, proclaimed all minorities as equal citizens of the new nation. He had urged that individual creeds would have no bearing on state operations whatsoever.
"Minorities in Pakistan have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens," said member Punjab Assembly and minorities leader Najmi Saleem.
Sardar Bishan Singh, a Sikh leader shared similar thoughts and remarked that all citizens of Pakistan worked together for the growth of the country.
Pakistan is host to a minority population that comprises of various groups but is mostly dominated by Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. The National Minority Day is meant to not only express gratitude for the contributions made by these communities but also to profess that future development hinges crucially on the efforts of these communities.
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