Faisalabad: Christians and Muslims make an appeal against terrorism and violence

The joint effort for peace is made in the Muslim holy month of Muharram. Activists try to stress "commonalities" and "work towards the same direction". Muslim leader calls for "concrete actions," not simply words. Ali Jinnah is cited in favour of a multicultural Pakistan.

by Shafique Khokhar

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - In the course of a seminar entitled 'Learning to Live Together with Diversity and Differences," Christian and Muslim participants agreed to a joint appeal, asking the government to take decisive measures against extremists and terrorists, who sow divisions, conflict, hatred and panic in society. Organised in conjunction with the Muslim holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, the meeting was designed to promote tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among Pakistan's different communities, regardless of differences.

The Peace and Human Development Foundation (PHD Foundation) and the Christian Study Center (CSC) were behind the interfaith initiative held on 18 November at the TMA Hall in Tandlinawala, a sub-district Faisalabad. Organised in view of the celebrations for Ashura (10^th day of the month of Muharram, 24 November), which both Shias and Sunnis celebrate with mourning and fasting, the event saw the participation of activists, religious leaders and representatives from the two communities.

Christian activist Fahmida Saleem stressed the "commonalities Christians and Muslims have," which allow for "peaceful coexistence" between the two communities. The two must "work together towards the same direction rather than going their separate ways." Hence, people must "fight violent and intolerant elements who want to destroy the culture of peace in Pakistan," she explained.

Muslim leader Molana Syed Jaffar Hussain Naqvi agrees. "Peace and harmony must not be promoted only in words, but also in concrete actions of peace."

In order to promote a model of peace, Muslim social worker Tahir Iqbal cited two examples: Prophet Muhammad's last sermon and the first address by the founder of modern Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on 11 August 1947 to the constituent assembly. "They are among the best documents promoting interfaith harmony," he said.

Another social worker, Christian Yousaf Adnan, noted however that even in this period, the country "saw cases of sectarian violence and intolerance," and this despite a "ban on fighting during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram."

"Violence in the name of religion must stop," he pleaded, "to prevent further and deeper divisions among people."