Spreading the cheer: Christmas at the Governor’s House

Minority representatives advocate love, peace and tolerance at Governor's House in Lahore.

LAHORE: Lyrics of the famous Christams carol, “And man will live for evermore because of Christmas day” resonated throughout the main lawn of the Governor’s House on Thursday evening. The grand Christmas celebration was completed by a modestly decorated Christmas tree, a three-tier cake and the presence of representatives from religious minorities.

Pastor Shahid Miraj sang the famous carol while Reverend Bishop, John Wright, read a verse from the Bible.

Representatives of different faiths talked about the common thread running through all religions: tolerance and love.

The Bishop of Lahore, Dr Alexander John Malik, thanked the governor for the party and added, “A Christmas party at the Governor’s House sends a message of unity and peace.”Malik, during his address, termed the Christmas season one of love.

Lawrence Saldanha, the Lahore Archbishop, during his speech appreciated the governor’s efforts to free Aasia Bibi. “I wish she could spend Christmas day with her family,” said the archbishop.

Hindu leader, Dr Munwar Chand opined that the day was a time for reflection as the founding father of the country had termed all faiths equal. “Whether a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian, we are all Pakistanis,” said Chand. Sufi Masood Ahmed Siddiqi talked about his devotion to Jesus Christ and Mary and said that he arranged a langar for 1,000 people out of his devotion.

Muhammed Yusuf from the Bahai community stressed that any thing promoting hate was not a part of any religion.

Salmaan Taseer, the governor, during his address also echoed the sentiment, “There is no hatred in Islam.” Talking about the controversy  that was created when he visited Aasia Bibi, he said, “When I stood next to the Christian girl, I did so out of a great sense of humility,” said the governor as several PPP workers erupted into slogans. “ Incidents where minorities have been targeted, have embarrassed me,” said Taseer. “The hatred these people (extremists and terrorists) are spreading is the same as those who gave fatwas against Quaid-e-Azam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and basant,” the governor said.

Christmas cakes were also cut at Christmas ceremonies held at the Auqaf Department and the Punjab University.

Security on high alert

More than 4,000 police officials have been deployed at all entry points of the city for added security on Christmas Eve. The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Mohammad Aslam Tareen, said that the Lahore police have been asked to remain on high alert to cope with any kind of terrorist activity. The CCPO said that the police commandos have been deputed at all churches of the city. The divisional SPs have been directed to take stern action against people involved in aerial firing and one-wheeling on the eve of Christmas and the New Year. He directed all officers to collect information about drug pushers, bootleggers and indigenous alcoholic beverage units being run in the city, adding that action should be taken against them. Tareen also directed the officers to gather information about places where New Year functions will be held for an effective security plan. SP security Fasial Rana, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that 120 Elite Force personnel and 100 members of the Quick Response Force will be deployed in specific areas of the city along with police personnel.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2010.