The National Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (NCIDE) in
collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Minority Affairs conducted an “Interfaith
Prayer” for Peace in Pakistan on Saturday, 7 August 2010. The commission prepared
a documentary on the recent crisis in the country where floods, hunger, misery,
political and ethnic violence and negligence are taking their toll on the people.
The first candle for peace was lit after the documentary. The programme was attended
by religious leaders and representatives of different faiths like Christianity,
Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism along with representatives from the US Consulate and
Honorary Consuls Indonesia in Lahore.
The programme began with a welcome and introduction from Rev. Fr. Bernard who
shed light on the importance of such assemblies where people of one nation belonging
to different backgrounds come together to pray for a united purpose such as this-
a prayer for peace and prosperity in the country. The first prayer was led by His
Lordship Bishop Dr. Andrew Francis (Chairman NCIDE) and Catholic Bishop of Multan
who expressed his solidarity with the people of the country and expressed his grief
over the events such as massive flooding in all the provinces of Pakistan and violence
in Karachi. He called upon the entire community to join him in prayer after which
he lit the second candle for peace.
Pandit Haroon Sarabdial, the leader of the Hindu community from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa,
led the prayer from the Hindu community where he stressed the fact that in order
to witness a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan we must all live as one nation regardless
of our religious and cultural differences. He also said that unity and harmony is
the key to a better future and development in the country. Ratan Lal, another prominent
leader of the Hindu community, also participated in the programme. The third candle
for peace was then lit.
Subsequently, the Muslim community was represented by Mufti Maulana Maqbool Rehman
who prayed for the sufferers of the catastrophes occurring in the country and appealed
to the entire community and leaders of the country to unite for peace and solidarity
with the victims of flood. He also stressed the need to take concrete steps towards
a better future. The fourth candle for peace was then lit.
Sardar Janam Sikh led the peace prayer and represented the Sikh Community. He
also stressed on equal opportunities and the need for cooperation and peaceful co-existence
if we desire to live together harmoniously as a nation. After reciting a prayer
from Sikhism, he lit the fifth candle for peace.
Javaid William, Executive Secretary NCIDE, then invited all the representatives
of different faiths, the Chief Guest Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minority
Affairs and Mr. Pat Contreras Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate in Lahore, Mr Muhammad Mustafa (G.M Malik) Deputy Secretary General MQI, Sajid Mahmood Bhatti, to release seven doves as a symbol of promoting peace in the country and to light
the sixth candle for all the other religious communities residing in Pakistan and
to recite a prayer according to each ones faith for peace and harmony in the country.
Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti then spoke to the entire community gathered on the importance
of peace as the sole need of the hour where all communities must be represented
equally and given equal opportunities along with building a spirit of coexistence
and acceptance in order to maneuver the nation towards a bright future. With this,
Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti lit the seventh candle for peace in Pakistan.
