Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Multan (Fides Service) – Interreligious dialogue women’s style is making progress in Pakistan. Following on a Seminar at the end of 2003, towards the end of the Muslim month of fasting and prayer Ramadan, attended by more than 200 Christian and Muslim women in Kasur (a Sud di Lahore), the exercise was repeated with success at the end of January in Multan diocese with a meeting for Muslim and Christian women on the theme “Building harmony and reconciliation”. The event, organised by the Bishops Commission for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue was part of activities for the Week of Prayer for Unity among Christians, with the objective of strengthening unity not only among Christians but also Christian Muslim relations.
The theme of the Meeting, Fides was informed, taken from Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Letter on the subject of Christian Unity Ut Unum Sint, in which the Holy Father recalls that “social and cultural life offer ample opportunities for cooperation” (N. 74-75)
The participants discussed the difficulties women encounter in society in Pakistan where they are often treated with discrimination. Agreeing that the country’s basic social system does give women the same dignity or opportunities as men, Christian participants said, “we must build communities in which women are appreciated and supported and women should drawing inspiration from the Virgin Mary as the perfect woman”.
The Muslim women who took part in the Meeting were impressed with the spirit of openness and exchange of ideas on the situation of women and they presented their opinions from the Muslim viewpoint. They also referred to exemplary Christian women, such as Mother Teresa, who promoted peaceful coexistence of people of different religions in Muslim countries.
All the participants agreed that women are important for the country, for family life and for the education of new generations and they can make a decisive contribution to a more just and peaceful society.
(PA) (Fides Service 6/2/2004 Lines: 33 Words: 333)
