In Karachi, Christians, Muslims and Hindus share an iftar in protest against war

The interfaith dinner, organised by the Archdiocese’s Commission for Dialogue during the final days of Ramadan – which this year coincides with Lent – was attended by representatives of the various communities and local politicians. “This is not the time to fight or harm one another: we all condemn violence and pray for one another”.

Karachi (AsiaNews) – During these final days of the holy month of Ramadan, which this year coincides with Lent and is deeply marked by conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, Catholics in Karachi organised an iftar – the communal meal to break the fast – which brought together representatives of the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Baha’i communities, in the presence of several local politicians.

In his opening address, Kashif Anthony, secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Karachi, explained that the aim of the event was to pray for peace in the world, in our country, and also for the inner peace that people are seeking. “This is not the time to fight or harm one another: we all condemn violence and pray for one another,” he said.

Fr. Shakeel Gulzar, director of the same Commission, highlighted the severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, also recalling how the Middle East is the cradle of most of the world’s religions. “It is truly painful for all of us to see a region of such spiritual and historical significance torn apart by war, violence and political divisions,” he commented.

For his part, Abdul Samad Memon, a Muslim and coordinator for interfaith harmony and relations at Minhaj-ul-Quran International, stated that there are many shared values across all religions, and one of the most important aspects is social solidarity, justice, giving a voice to the voiceless, ensuring the rights of neighbours, and feeding the hungry and orphans. “However,” he observed, “we are still far apart from one another, and the main problem is the fear of losing something. This is why we must work together to educate people to love everyone and respect other faiths.” Kiran Fatima, a Muslim woman who, along with her son, was attending an interfaith conference for the first time, also expressed her joy at this event.

Sham Sunder Advani, a member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh for Minority Affairs, stated that lasting peace can only emerge through sincere dialogue that recognises the dignity and rights of every community. “Silence during times of crisis is not an option, and now is the time to recognise that the future of humanity depends on our ability to choose peace over conflict,” he said.

Other speakers included Mufti Abu Talha Muhayudin – an Islamic scholar and educator serving at the Darul Ifta of Jamia Islamia Clifton in Karachi – who stated that interfaith harmony is not merely a social ideal but also a moral and national responsibility; and Mahesh Kumar Hasija, a Hindu member of the Provincial Assembly, who remarked that, in a time marked by growing polarisation and mistrust, interfaith dialogue has become more important than ever, praising Sindh as a land of diversity, coexistence and shared cultural heritage.

Finally, Naveed Anthony, Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, expressed his gratitude for all the efforts made by the Dialogue Commission of the Archdiocese of Karachi and expressed the hope that the conference would further strengthen ties between religious communities, encouraging a shared commitment to building a more peaceful, inclusive and compassionate society.