PAT attends birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak

On the occasion of 546th birthday of the founder of Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak, a high level PAT delegation led by Sohail Ahmad Raza, Secretary of Directorate of Interfaith Relations, attended a religious ceremony in Nankana sahib. Hafiz Ghulam Farid and Chaudhry Afzal Gujjar were other members of the delegation.

Addressing the ceremony, Sohail Ahmad Raza, who is also senior member of Evacuee Trust Property Board, said that Pakistan is the only country in the world where Sikh religion and its followers are held in high esteem. He said that Pakistan has always taken keen interest in maintenance of religious places of worship of Sikh religion.

Throwing light on the role PAT is playing in promotion of interfaith harmony under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Sohail Ahmad Raza said that Directorate of Interfaith Relations has been playing a pivotal role in building bridges between various faiths, cultures and civilizations. He said that people of Pakistan are peaceful people who want peace, tranquility and harmony in the world. He said that promotion of interfaith harmony is essential for establishment of durable peace and love.

Conveying special message of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Sohail Ahmad Raza said that PAT is committed to protecting rights of all minority communities including Sikhs in the light of the constitutional and Islamic injunctions. He said that we believe that maintaining and protecting religious places of worship of minority communities is our national and religious obligation. He said that PAT looks forward to further strengthening this bond of love and peaceful harmony between Muslims and members of other communities and religious groups.

At the close of the ceremony, Sikh leaders i.e. Manmohan Singh, Mastan Singh, Sardar Jaspal Singh, Sardar Bishan Singh, Sardar Shaam Singh, and Sardar Kalyan Singh made Sohail Ahmad Raza wear their religious garment known as ‘Saropa’. The Sikh leaders thanked Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri for expressing solidarity with the Sikh community.