Christmas ceremony held at the Minhaj University Lahore

A Christmas ceremony was held at the Minhaj University Lahore under the banner of the Interfaith Relations Minhaj-ul-Quran International. Deputy Chairman, BoG, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Vice-Chancellor Dr Sajid Mahmood Shahzad, Dr. Herman Roborgh, Dr. Fr. James Chanan, Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, Right. Revd Bishop Irfan Jamil, Rev. Dr Majid Abel, Mrs. Shunila Ruth MNA, Revd Qasir Nadeem Joseph, Revd Samuel Nawab, Revd Prof Tony William,Revd Saleem Sultan, Nokhaz Khokhar, Kashif Nawab, Sajid Christopher,Mr. Albert Devid, Dr. Kanwal Feroz, Shahid Ghori, Samuel Piyara, Prof Servabhuma Naz, Allama Aasim Makhdum, Allama Badar Munir, Allama Mahmood Ghaznavi, Hafiz Liaqat Ali, Maryam Aslam, Naseer John, Sohail Ahmad Raza, Shahzad Khan, Muslim and Christian leaders, deans and faculty members cut the Christmas cake.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri congratulated the members of the Christian community on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. He said Islam teaches its followers about peace, love, and harmony. He said that all the prophets that Allah Almighty sent to the world laid emphasis on the rights of humanity without any discrimination. He said that if there is no respect for humanity and the rights of the people, no religion will be able to influence the hearts of the people.

Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that religions can play a pivotal role in promoting the causes of peace, brotherhood, and socio-economic justice. He said that we need to act upon the teachings of our religion in the rule letter and spirit. He said there is a dire need for the fact that the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him) are implemented in order to eradicate hatred and establish peace in the world.

Dr Hussain said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has supported the imperative of interfaith dialogue at every forum on the pattern of the State of Madina. He said that the secret to global peace lies in the interfaith dialogue, stating that no religion teaches us to hate the people.

VC MUL Dr Sajid Mahmood Shahzad congratulated the Christian community on the festival of Christmas and stated that the message of the festival revolves around peace and love.

Director Interfaith Relations Sohail Ahmad Raza said that Islam is a peaceful religion that talks about love, peace, and brotherhood. He thanked all the honorable Christian denominations leaders and guests for taking the time out to attend the Christmas celebration cake-cutting ceremony at the Minhaj University Lahore. Shahzad Khan, senior deputy director of Interfaith Relations, threw light on the services of MQI for the promotion of interfaith harmony in the world.

Dr. Herman Roborgh, Head of the School of Religion and Philosophy at MUL, thanked the guests and appreciated the efforts and contributions of MQI for global peace.

Director Peace Centre Dr. Fr. James Chanan OP said in his speech that love and peace are the messages of Christmas. He said that we should make a vow to promote harmony and tolerance among the faiths, and spread love. He said the teachings of Jesus Christ are about peace, urging the people to come forward and play their active role in getting the message across.

Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, Chairman National commission for Interfaith Dialogue and Arch Diocese Catholic Church of Pakistan said that the real message of the Bible is peace, brotherhood, and love. He said that the festival of Christmas teaches us to respect others, spread love and brotherhood, stating that these are precisely the teachings of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace . He said peaceful co-existence is the bedrock on which the edifice of humanity is raised.

Right Revd. Bishop Irfan Jamil, Bishop of Lahore Cathedral Church of Resurrection Church of Pakistan said on the occasion that Islam and Christianity share the teachings of peace and brotherhood. He said that we need to promote the message of love in order to put an end to hypocrisy and mud-slinging in our midst.

Rev. Dr Majid Abel Moderator Presbyterian Church of Pakistan thanked Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri and Sohail Ahmad Raza Director of Interfaith Relations MQI Pakistan and also the management of Minhaj University Lahore for arranging the Christmas ceremony. He said Shaykh ul Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri always talked about love and peace and supported as well as led initiatives for interfaith dialogue. He said that such ceremonies always bring hearts together.

Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri distributed the Christmas gifts among the Christian employees of the University. The ceremony concluded with Dua for peace, prosperity, and an end to the Covid-19.