RAWALPINDI, Dec 22: Speakers at a function held in connection with Christmas here stressed the need for promotion of peace and harmony among Muslims and Christians in the backdrop of terrorist attacks.
They said Muslims and minority communities would eliminate the menace of terrorism if they remained united. They said anti-Pakistan elements wanted to divide the nation into religious and sectarian groups.
The function arranged by Pur Fazal Kaliseya Pakistan at a local hotel was largely attended by Christian families from the twin cities. Islamic religious leaders were also present.
Addressing the gathering, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said parliament was working for promotion of tolerance and religious harmony.
“It is expected that shortly a bill to safeguard the rights of all religious minorities will be moved by Ministry of Minorities Affairs which will indeed be a landmark legislation aimed to ensure all political, economic and social rights of our non-Muslim citizens,” she said.
She said Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave us Pakistan where people lived in an environment of interfaith harmony and peaceful co-existence. However, she said, the repeated derailing of democracy and dictatorships snatched progressive and vibrant elements of soci ety and left the people divided on the basis of ethnicity, sectarianism, and religious bias or class differences.
She said no society can be called civilised if it failed to protect the rights of its individuals. Similarly, an era of prosperity is impossible without recognising and respecting the capabilities of every citizen.
She expressed the hope that the Christian community would continue to serve their motherland with vigour, dedication and devotion despite all odds. “You will put your best efforts to promote and protect a fully represented democracy in Pakistan as this is the only path towards enlightenment, moderation and reconciliation,” she said.
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