ISLAMABAD: Over 70 pastors from various churches, prominent individuals from the Christian community and other distinguished personalities enjoyed Christmas celebration on Monday.

Pakistan Cultural Forum Chairman Zafar Bakhtawari hosted a grand Christmas celebration in Islamabad to promote traditional harmony and interfaith unity. The event was attended by over 70 pastors from various churches, prominent individuals from the Christian community, and other distinguished personalities. The event commenced with prayers for peace, love and prosperity in the country. This was followed by the traditional Christmas cake-cutting ceremony, which was a highlight of the event and fostered feelings of joy and unity among the attendees.

Zafar Bakhtawari, in his speech, said: “Minorities are an integral part of our nation. Together, we must work for the progress and prosperity of our country. Christmas conveys the message of love, brotherhood, and peace,” he said.

Nasir Chaudhry from Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulated the Christian community, saying that, “religious harmony is a part of our culture. We stand together and work for a stronger and peaceful Pakistan”.

Pastor Samson Sohail elaborated on the purpose of the event, saying, “this celebration is not just about joy but about fostering love and solidarity between the Muslim and Christian communities. We must respect each other’s sentiments and traditions”.

The event concluded with the distribution of gifts among attendees and a grand dinner. The celebration further strengthened the spirit of interfaith harmony and brotherhood among the people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Waseem Chaudhry, Ruheel Anwar Butt, Malik Mohsin Khalid, Nisar Mirza, Faizan Shehzad, Ameer Hamza, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Pastor Malik Kamran, Bishop Javed Siddiq, Bishop Farrukh Javed and other also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024