Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights has been committed to the promotion of interfaith harmony and dialogue since its establishment. On the Eve of New Year 2016, Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights, with the collaboration of Elizabeth Memorial Church Sialkot, organized a New Year and Christmas gift distribution ceremony among the Christian students and teachers at Elizabeth Church Sialkot under its program of “Promotion of Interfaith Harmony & Dialogues.”
The purpose of the ceremony was to create inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony and understanding, and to show solidarity to Christians living here in Pakistan. It also gave good wishes to the Christians on the eve of the New Year and assured them that the Muslim community is the custodian of their fundamental religious and human rights, as per the teachings of Islam, the ideology and constitution of Pakistan, and the vision of Father of Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Chairperson Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori was the chief guest of that ceremony. People from both Muslim and Christian communities participated in the ceremony. While addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori said that Islam presents the best practical model of tolerance. It is a baseless fabrication that Islam is not disposed to tolerating people belonging to other creeds, ideologies and religions. The history of Islam offers models of religious tolerance, equality, justice, peace, interfaith harmony, universal brotherhood, safeguard of minority rights, democracy and best treatment of persons belonging to different faiths. Unfortunately, at the moment, most of terrorists’ acts are happening in the name of Islam; but in fact, the masterminds and implementers of these acts are not even Muslims. They have no religion; they are just terrorists.
Mr. Noori further said that Islam is a religion of peace and justice, and teaches us the respect of all religions and their followers. Islam also provides full protection to the minorities in Islamic state, and there is no room for the blood shedding and prejudice against non-Muslims in the name of religions. He also said that by promoting interfaith and intercultural harmony, social and religious tolerance, and self respect, we may eliminate the terrorism and extremism from Pakistan. He also said that Islam and Christianity stand for the human dignity, human rights, equality and justice for everybody. Holy Prophet PBUH and all Prophets of God were sent to the earth for human dignity and human equality, and there is no room in the religions for hate, injustice, intolerance, extremism and terrorism. If some bad elements are using the name of religion to divide humanity and to flourish hate in society, they are not following their religion’s teachings and their spiritual leadership. The extremists and terrorists are the common enemy of humanity.
He further said that this is a good time to fight against the mindsets of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan with strengthening mutual relations, equality and mutual respect of each other’s religions. As well, it is a good time to sensitize and motivate the Pakistan youth and students against the mindsets of extremism and terrorism, so as to create cultures of peace, equality, justice and human rights in Pakistan as well as at a global level. He said that we can only bring radical change with giving the proper guidance and counseling to the youth and students. Mr. Noori said that promotion of quality education can eradicate negative thinking, and that only result-orientated education may make Pakistan stronger, prosperous and a developed country.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Emmanuel Gill, a famous Christian activist, especially thanked Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori and PCSW&HR for organizing this splendid ceremony and presenting gifts for the students and teachers of Elizabeth Church. He said that, due to the sincere efforts of PCSW&HR, interfaith harmony is flourishing at Sialkot and under the banner of Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights. As a minority, we feel secure ourselves. During the ceremony, all other speakers also showed their commitment for interfaith harmony, co-existence and unity according to the ideas of Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan.
Chairman PCSW&HR distributed the gifts among the students and teachers, and Christmas cake was also cut during the ceremony.
