The URI member group "Peace Foundation CC, Muzaffar Garh, Pakistan" organized a one-day seminar in Mir Hazar Khan city, which is about 300 miles from Lahore, Pakistan in the Southern Punjab area. This seminar was for the students of two Ahrar Public Schools for Boys and Girls. The theme of the seminar was the "Bright Future of Pakistan through Interfaith Harmony and Peace".
Dr Ashiq Zafar Bhatti, Coordinator of Peace Foundation CC was the chief organizer, and I was invited as Chief Guest. Several local political leaders and human rights activists also participated as Guests of Honor and delivered speeches on mutual respect, religious freedom and acceptance of all with discrimination towards none. They also emphasized making Pakistan a very peaceful country according to the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan.
Click the yellow arrows to scroll through the photos in the slideshow below.
The following local political and promoters of interfaith harmony and peace were present and delivered speeches: Mr. Asghar Khan Leghari, Mr. Ajmal Khan Leghari, Ghulam Abbas Bedar Faridi, Mr. Arshad Khan Leghari, Samee Ullah Leghari and Chunnu Khan Leghari and Kamran Zafar Bhatti. (There were many leaders from the Leghari family - for they are a very popular tribe from this area. There has been one former President of Pakistan, Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, from this area as well.)
Young female students presented very powerful speeches on interfaith harmony in Pakistan and the urgent need to promote it. I was very inspired by their confidence and their art of speech and knowledge, despite this school's location in a very remote area.
The Preamble, Purpose and Principles of URI were presented and emphasised, and their imperative role in promoting interfaith dialogue and harmony around the globe was lauded. All students and teachers, the Principal of the school, and other distinguished guests were very happy about this seminar and highly appreciated the efforts of URI for bringing its message to this remote city. Several participants expressed their wish to join URI.
In peace,
fr James Channan OP
URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan
