Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) - In Pakistan collaboration among Muslims Christians is growing and acts of friendship are multiplying. Following a first visit in January by a Christian delegation to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, the largest mosque in the country, on March 11 at the invitation of the chief preacher, Khateeb of Badshahi Mosque, Muhammad Abdul Qadir Azad, a Christian delegation took part in a meeting and break-fast meal with Muslims inside the Mosque Courtyard.
The Christian delegation comprised 25 members of the Bishops’ Commission for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue led by Commission secretary Father Francis Nadeem and representatives of other Christian churches. Among those present Franciscan Friar Joseph, working in interreligious dialogue in Lahore Archdiocese and numerous representatives of Majlis-Ulema-e-Pakuistan, association of Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals.
The invitation was purposely made during the Season of Lent: in fact the participants shared an evening fast-breaking meal. During their Ramadan month of prayer and fasting Muslims fast all day and only eat after sun down when they gather in communities to take part in the Iftar, break-fast meal. In Pakistan many Christian adopt the same practice during the six weeks of Lent, often inviting Muslims neighbours and friends to take part in the evening break-fast.
Before the break-fast meal there were presentations by a number of people. Hussein Ahmed Awan, a member of the Punjab Peace committee, said the event was a sign of the deep respect which the followers of Mohammed have for other. “If the process goes ahead we will build great Muslim-Christian bridges which will help us to accept each other and support one another in the future. Today’s act will give courage to all Pakistanis of goodwill ”.
According to Allam Muhammad Zubair Ahmed Zhaer, head of the central committee of the Alh-e-Hadith Muslim organisation, “terrorists are not people of religion. They are concerned only about money and not about humanity. The holy Koran teaches that all the peoples in the world belong to a single humanity and that God wills for all people of different faiths to live together. Today’s world needs love, respect and harmony ”.
Muhammad Abdul Qadir Azad thanked the Christian delegation for accepting the invitation and he said: “we shall work together to bring peace and harmony among ourselves. We condemn terrorism in Pakistan and anywhere in the world. We thank the Bishops’ Commission for inviting us to a breaking the fast meal during Ramadan last year. Now we have reciprocated to assure them that we are all descendants of our common Father Ibrahim (Abraham). Although this is the first such event in the Mosque courtyard we shall continue in the years to come ”.
Voicing gratitude for the meal and kind words, Father Nadeem said: “We are happy to be with our Muslim brethren to break the fast. Muhammad Abdul Qadir Azad is following in the footsteps of his father who worked to provide a platform for members of our two religions in Pakistan to come together. The Mission of our Commission is to promote respect, friendship, harmony and peace, in Pakistan. We must continue this mission to guarantee a bright and prosperous future for our country and for the whole world. If the process continues it will allow coming generations to enjoy the fruits of harmony and peaceful coexistence. Religious leaders must be models for the children of our age so they will form a moderate society and work together to make this country a happy place to live in. This will help promote peace and reconciliation”.
According to all those present, about 70 people, the event was an important step forward on the path of Muslim-Christian dialogue in Pakistan. It was a signal to the country and will be an example for other such initiatives. After the speeches Christians and Muslims prayed for the prosperity and stability of their country and then sat down to share the evening meal.
Badshahi Mosque in Lahore was built in the 17th century by Emperor Mughal. The mosque has an enormous courtyard, one of the largest mosque spaces in the world. It is said to be able to hold 100,000 worshippers.
Among other interreligious initiatives organised in Pakistan, an evening break-fast meal of friendship shared by 150 Christian and Muslim pupils of St Lawrence School, Lahore.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2004 lines 60 word 615)
