» 12/05/2011 13:08 PAKISTAN Faisalabad: Christian and Muslim leaders revive peace process by Shafique Khokhar The curia hosted an interfaith seminar, attended by prominent figures from the two faiths. Bishop Coutts said that the city is "a symbol of peace" for Pakistan. Muslim personality speaks of "the blood spilled" to build harmony. During the meeting times of prayer.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - Christian and Muslim religious leaders, working together to promote interfaith harmony in Pakistan in a joint meeting, stressed the need for "unity" and "reconciliation", to build a "culture of peace" in the country. At the same time they urged the government to take "decisive measures" against extremists and terrorists, which "praise conflict, hatred, fear and terror in society”: This was the outcome from the seminar held in recent days during the Muslim holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, which will culminate tomorrow, December 6 on the feast of Ashura (falls on 10th day, and for the Shiite community, coinciding with "mourning " for the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn).
The Islamic-Christian meeting was held in the bishop's residence in Faisalabad (Punjab), sponsored by the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Interreligious Committee for Peace. The event was attended by Catholic priests, Muslim religious leaders, catechists, police officers and members of civil society. During the seminar, the speakers read passages from the Bible and the Koran where they underlined the value of peace, followed by moments of "special prayer."
The bishop of Faisalabad, Msgr. Joseph Coutts (pictured) said that the city is "a symbol of peace in the country" because "if we create conditions for peace in the city, there is no doubt that it will prevail in the rest of the nation." The prelate called for "peace and harmony through our actions," because "actions speak louder than words." The Mufti Aziz Ullah Nusar recalled the "huge efforts" made by ancestors to ensure peace in Faisalabad and called on all religious leaders to instill "peace and mutual tolerance" to maintain "harmony in the city." Mullah Tahir ul Hasan celebrateed "the blood spilled" to build peace (while in other parts of the country there are attacks and violence) and confirmed the commitment to sacrifice in order to maintain a harmonious coexistence between faiths.
Mullah Muhammad Yousaf highlighted the presence of Muslim religious leaders in a church - the meeting was held in the curia of Faisalabad – the result "of the peace process", as well as "an example of harmony and strong bonds between us, despite different religious backgrounds ". Pir Muhammad Ibrahim, chairman of the Interreligious Committee recalled its commitment to protect Christians in situations of violence or threats to the religious minority. Finally Fr. Aftab James Paul, director of the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, pointed out the need to ensure "an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect, despite the differences, because the survival of the human being is based on tolerance, solidarity and the 'harmony'.
