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Poetry symposium in Faisalabad to promote Islamic-Christian dialogue
by Shafique Khokhar
In anticipation of Christmas, the diocese organised a conference on the ‘Birth of the Prince of Peace’. About 125 Christians and Muslims attend the event, including priests, nuns and poetry lovers. Peace was one of the main themes. For Fr Aftab, poetry has “no boundaries”.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – A poetry symposium to mark the ‘Birth of the Prince of Peace’ was held last Saturday at Catholic Bishop’s House in Faisalabad in preparation of Christmas. Organised by Diocesan Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue, the event was meant to spread a message of peace through poetry and strengthen the relationship between different communities. Some 125 people, including prominent local poets, priests, nuns, catechists, students, intellectuals and poetry lovers from different communities took part in the event. Renowned poet Arshad Javed chaired the event. As the chief guest, Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi recited some poems.
The poetry reading was preceded by the lightening of a candle as a symbol of peace and the cutting of a Christmas cake by Bishop Joseph Coutts accompanied with Muslim and Christian poets (pictured).
The poets recited their poems and odes inspired by the themes of peace, harmony, humanity, equality and forgiveness in Urdu, Punjabi and Saraiki.
Different metaphors were used. Terms like flower, dove, olive branch, rainbow, dreams, rain, butterfly, colours, moon, sun, stars, galaxy, bangles and henna were used to depict the situation of women, workers and religious harmony in Pakistan, and spread peace and love instead of hatred that still exists in some circles in society.
Arshad Javed, a renowned Pakistani poet, noted that people from different communities must meet on a more regular basis, and not only at religious festivals, to build a “culture of peace, respect and understanding”. Secularism must be strengthened in multi-confessional Pakistan.
“Poets and writers are the envoys of peace” because “they can propose peaceful remedies for the violent conflicts” that stir society, said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi, vicar general of Faisalabad,
Jesus is the “Prince of peace” who came on earth to bring human beings closer and give life to the dead, he noted. “Extremists instead do not let the living live.”
Finally, Fr Aftab James Paul, director of the diocesan commission, said that poetry is the best way to spread peace because “it has no boundaries”.