Karachi, Catholics visit Sikhs for the feast of Guru Nanak

On the day commemorating the birth of the founder of Sikhism, the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue visited the Gurdwara, the place of worship of this religious denomination. "Until we learn to respect one another, we cannot have peace."

Karachi (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church of Pakistan joined the Sikh community for the celebration of Jayanti, the holiday celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of this religion. The Commission for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Karachi went to visit the Sikh community at the Gurdwara, the place of worship of this confession, which is located in the same complex of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the largest Hindu temple in Karachi.

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Nankana Sahib, near the present city of Lahore. Javanti is one of the major holidays of Sikhism and the believers of this religion believe that on this day Guru Nanak brings light to the whole world. The festival is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Kartik, fifteen days after Diwali.

Fr. Saleh Diego, the head of the Karachi Archdiocese's Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, bringing the good wishes of Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, said that in Pakistan "until we learn to respect each other we cannot have peace." Fr. Diego also praised Guru Nanak, calling him a great preacher of the virtue of love, equality, and goodness. "He traveled a lot," he added, "living a life full of wisdom.

For her part Asha Didi, a Sikh representative of the Prem Sagar of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, said she was very happy about the visit of the followers of Jesus and their message of peace. "Guru Nanak - she added - also teaches the oneness of God, equality between men and women, the rejection of idolatry and the importance of work. Let us walk together - he concluded - for humanity and peace in the country."

• Pakistan
• Karachi
• Sikhs
• Christians
• interreligious dialogue
• Guru Nanak