ASIA/PAKISTAN - Equal opportunities and citizenship to build peace

Wednesday, 7 October 2015 religious freedom   religious minorities   dialogue   equal opportunity  

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Peace, equal opportunities and citizenship: are the keywords of a program launched by "Christian Study Center" in Rawalpindi in collaboration with the "Cecil Chaudhry & Iris Foundation" in Lahore. As reported to Fides by the Foundation, the project was attended by Christian and Muslim religious leaders and the people of Youhanabad, an area in Lahore hit by bomb attacks against two churches last spring.
The project aims to spread, in particular among young Christians and Muslims, a message of peace and harmony, with the idea of promoting peaceful coexistence in society. The project emphasizes the role and the valuable contribution that religious communities can play in this process and launched the establishment of specific interfaith "peace committees" that can operate effectively in the various areas of the city.
According to the organizers, peace and harmony start from establishing equal opportunities and the right to citizenship for all, without distinction between citizens of different faiths or cultures. The "Christian Study Center" and "Cecil Chaudhry and Iris Foundation" are committed to promoting religious harmony in the area of Youhanabad, in the city of Lahore, in the province of Punjab. The fundamental vision, remarked Michelle Chaudhry, president of the Foundation, is "to realize the vision of a just, tolerant and fair Pakistan". The Christian Study Center, appreciated and historic ecumenical reality of Rawalpindi, is currently engaged in promoting the inclusion of groups excluded from the upcoming local elections in the province of Punjab. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2015)


Share: