‘Peace, Love and Harmony’ stressed
at historic event

TOBA TEK
SINGH, PAKISTAN – (ANS)- Pakistani Christian youth in Toba Tek Singh, which is in
Pakistan’s Western Punjab Province, have begun a new era of promoting
“peace, love, and harmony” as well as understanding with Muslims.

The young people decided to organize
a program for this “Christian-Muslim Get Together” in connection with
the birth celebrations for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and it was attended by
Muslim clerics, political leaders, traders, students, media representatives,
Christian pastors and priests, as well as community leaders who had
been invited to express solidarity and share the celebrations with each
other.

The historic event took place on
Thursday, February 2, 2012, in the Tehsil [Administrative Division] Municipal
Hall, in Toba Tek Singh at which there was a recitation from the Holy Quran
(Naat Shariefs) and songs were performed in respect of the Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH).)

Muslim speakers highlighted a
message of “Peace and Harmony” with Christians and local pastors and
priests assured Muslims that they “respect” their religion.

Ashfaq Fateh, a Christian leader and
organizer of the event, told the ASSIST News Service, “History is full of
Christian-Muslim cooperation, as well as peace, love, and harmony between the
two groups and Christians have been serving in education, health and social
sector for a long time.

“Millions of Christians in
Pakistan are working with Muslims in both the government and private sectors
and they have jointly contributed to the progress of the country. Christian
ministries and churches have preached to respect and honor the Muslims and
witness the values of responsible citizens.”

He went on to say, “There are
different forums at at government and Church levels to strengthen inter-faith
harmony. However, for the last three decades, incidents of violence at
Shantinagar and Gojra, as well as the killings of Emmanuel brothers in a broad
daylight as they were leaving a courtroom after being charged
with blasphemy, and many others have widened the gaps between the two
communities.

“The murder of Clement Shahbaz
Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities, and others, has created
segregations and concerns among the weaker sections of the society. A common
Christian feels hesitation to interact with a Muslims to avoid misunderstanding
which causes tension between the two communities.”

Ashfaq Fateh went on to state,
“Muslim brothers and sisters expressed great love with Christians during
Christmas and other religious events. The Muslim-Christian friendship is an
example here.

“In recent years, Muslims in
Toba Tek Singh have set examples of love, tolerance and cooperation and so,
therefore, our Christian youth decided to conduct a program in which a message
could be given to the Muslim world that Christians have also expressed the same
love and solidarity. The program planned to opened up new horizons of
understanding and cooperation between the people of these two major
religions.”

Mr. Johnson Gill, a youth leader,
said, “The Christian youth feel that it is time to express to Muslims our
love and respect for their Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Holy Book of the
Quran. When the Christians celebrate Christmas, New Year and Easter, Muslim
friends shared the gifts, sent Christmas cakes and organized Christmas parties
to enjoy the celebrations. If a Christian expected to be wished and respected,
he/she should also express the same feelings for his/her Muslim friends.

“Therefore, following the
Gospel values, our youth decided to organize a program. It’s a great sign of
change that the Muslim clerics of different sects, priests/pastors and people
of various sections of life, welcomed the first ever program of celebration of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Christians in Pakistan.”

Rasheed Jalal, district president
the Pakistan Muslim League (N) for Minorities said, “The program is
helping to break the cycle of segregation and it will open new horizons of
dialogue and cooperation between the people of our two religions.

“Finally, this kind of a
program, organized for the first time in the history of Pakistan, was with the
intention to assure our Muslim brothers and sisters that Christians love and
respect what they believe and are not against their prophet, but rather wish to
share in their celebrations.”

Sahibzada Abdul Munam Husnan
Sadique, a Muslim scholar, hailed the Christian youth for conducting such a
gathering. He said, “This program is a message to the world that
Christians and Muslims are united and share the celebration of birth of Hazart Muhammad
(PBUH) with the same spirit.

“The program helps Muslim
brethren feel the love and respect Christians have for our Holy Prophet in
their hearts. Today, I assure the Christian community that we shall keep on
working jointly for lasting peace and prosperity in the country.”

Muslim leaders, such as Mufti Abdul
Mueed Asad, Khatib, Jamia Usmania, welcomed the Christian community for
organizing a public program for the two communities to promote a dialogue of
life.

Syed Murad Ali Shah, an Advocate,
said, “For lasting peace and harmony this platform should be strengthened.
As religious scholars, it’s our responsibility to share the good gesture of the
Christian community with Muslims at a mass level. It will help to bridge the
gaps. The program by Christian youth has proved that they have high regards for
our prophet (PBUH).”

Fr. Simon Khurshid, a parish priest
at a local Catholic church, thanked the organizers for creating an opportunity
for two communities for peace and harmony. He assured the Muslims that the
Catholic church always pray for the Muslims whenever they have religious events
or face difficulties or celebrations.

“Christian charities help
everyone whenever there are disasters like floods and earthquakes,” he
said. “Most of the beneficiaries of charity programs are Muslims.”

He then prayed for Muslim-Christian
unity for “peace and development” in the country.

Ch. Amjid Ali Javed, District
president Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pastor Victor, Ayub Anjum and Tehsil
Municipal officer Tariq Mehmood Paroia, also spoke at the occasion.

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About Dan Wooding

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 46 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST
(Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service
(ANS).

Wooding was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC., and now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California and which is also carried on the Calvary Radio Network throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK. Wooding also a regular contributor to The Weekend Stand on the Crawford Broadcasting Network, and a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. He is the author of some 43 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books.

To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, also recently released “God’s Ambassadors in Japan” which is available at amazon.com.

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