Silent night: A merry Christmas for all in K-P, FATA
A large number of people, including women, children and senior citizens attended religious congregations and offered prayers in major churches including Saint John’s Cathedral and Saint Michael’s Church in the cantonment area of the provincial metropolis.
The speakers highlighted the importance of the day and renewed the pledge to work for interfaith harmony and progress of the country.
The members of the community also underlined the need for tolerance in society.
Bishops and clergymen recited psalms and other Biblical verses in churches illuminated with festive Christmas decorations and exchanged greetings and gifts with their families, friends and neighbours. Decorated Christmas trees were also very visible.
Special security arrangements were made at churches, including installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, metal detectors and additional police deployment near the entrances of churches. Bishops expressed satisfaction on the security arrangements.
Asif Bhatti, a minority member of the K-P Assembly, also attended Christmas celebrations and underlined the need for inter-faith harmony that could guarantee lasting peace, tolerance and brotherhood among people of different religions to address the challenges faced by the country.
He also distributed gifts at a function organised by Assemblies of God Church (AOGC).
Christmas packages were also distributed among poor and deserving Christians at the function, which was also attended by AGOC Chairman Pastor AR Hashmat and Pastor Zeeshan Bashir.
They offered prayers for the integrity, solidarity and peace in the country. They highlighted the significance of the day and urged people to remember the meaning of Christmas -- affection, tolerance and religious harmony in the society.
Pastor Hashmat said that the church body would continue its support for the Christian and Muslim communities. The AOGC had extended support to people belonging to different religions, including the Muslim community during the recent floods.
“The significance of the day is that it always gives the divine message of peace, love, harmony and brotherhood”.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister for Sports, Culture and Tourism, Aqil Shah said that the government believes in religious freedom and providing a congenial atmosphere to all minorities, religions and sects. Later, the minister also distributed Christmas packages.
With additional input from APP
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2010.
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