ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: To begin the New Year with God’s blessings, the World Minorities Alliance organised a ‘Prayer Rally’ here on Tuesday.

Christian schoolchildren dressed in white - a colour of peace and tranquillity - participated in the welcome prayers for the year 2008.

They marched from the residence of the alliance’s convener, J. Salik, to the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club’s camp office located adjacent to the Civic Centre.

The children were holding different placards with inscriptions for peace and solidarity. The participants also prayed for the prosperity of the homeland. Talking about the importance of the occasion, J. Salik said beginning of the New Year was not merely a worldly celebration, in fact it had spiritual importance as well.—A Reporter