The play was performed by Ajoka actors, one of Pakistan's most famous companies. The social arm of the Church wants to effect a profound change in society and involve the various communities. The theater group fighting conservative mentality.
Lahore (AsiaNews) - Caritas Lahore has organized a play on peace and social change in partnership with the Ajoka actors, one of the most famous theater companies in the country. The show was staged on July 13 at the Renewal Centre of Youhanabad, and was applauded by hundreds of people, lay and religious, eager to spread a message of peace and harmony. The Archbishop of Lahore Msgr. Sebastian Shaw says: "We were sent to earth to spread the Gospel message of love and peace. We must accept this challenge in a historical moment in which hatred and extremism are driven by a negative mindset. Our sole mission is to continue to promote peace at all costs”.
The Archbishop was overjoyed with the play and admits that "we must all learn to be together. It is time to forget our enmity and shake hands. " Caritas also hopes that the initiative will be repeated in the years to come.
The actors of the Ajoka theater represented scenes of love, peace, coexistence and social harmony. Sohail Waraich, of the theater’s Executive Board, says that the company "is fighting to raise awareness of issues affecting the various communities. Every Pakistani should participate in similar events, because bringing people together is the only way to fight a conservative mentality. "
The initiative is even more significance in the light of last year’s attacks on the Christian quarter of Youhanabad, on the outskirts of Lahore, which targeted two churches, St. John (Catholic), and Christ Church (Protestant) .
Fr. Joseph Shahzad, Executive Secretary of Caritas Lahore, thanked all the participants. Amjad Gulzar, national director of Caritas Pakistan, said that the social arm of the Church "wants to effect a profound social change. We believe that Christ's message is a message of love and peace, and for this we fight against all forms of discrimination. We have already launched several initiatives in the past and I can assure that we will continue our efforts in bringing happiness and prosperity among the population. "(SK)