Islamabad
Speakers at an interfaith harmony ceremony on Tuesday called upon followers of different religions to respect one another's beliefs and replace hatred with love in their hearts so that the whole world becomes a peaceful haven through promotion of interfaith harmony, says a press release.
They made this appeal at the ‘Milad-un-Nabiyain’ seminar organised by Universal Interfaith Peace Mission (UIPM) held at Islamabad Hotel on Tuesday.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Mohammad Yousaf who was the chief guest said that Pakistan stands committed and will do all it can to protect minorities and leave no stone unturned for their welfare and providing them ample security.
Sardar Yousaf made it clear that Islamic teachings give clear direction to its followers to ensure protection of the minorities living in an Islamic state.
Reiterating government's resolve to promote interfaith harmony, Sardar Yousaf said that the government is committed to the welfare of the minorities.
A 30-pound cake was also cut on the occasion to mark the celebration and a collective prayer was made for peace in the world especially in Palestine.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Universal Interfaith Peace Mission Chairman Allama Abul Fateh GR Chishti pointed out that without Muslim-Christian unanimity and harmony on ‘principles’ there will be no peace in the world and there will be no real unity among the followers of both the religions without sparing each other’s religious personalities, places, things and ideas from serious criticism.
Allama Abul Fateh GR Chishti while underlining different features of the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that ‘Milad’ is an Arabic term and a synonym for word ‘Molid’, which means that time of someone’s birth. In Islamic Shariah, ‘Milad’ means the birth of Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him). There have been many deliberations over the issue like many other episodic differences, but there is no denying the fact that masses from Muslim Ummah have ideological and practical unanimity on celebrating the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him).
Reciprocating a query, Allama Chishti said that as we know that Christians celebrate birth anniversary of Jesus Christ therefore doing likewise events or celebrating it similarly is prohibited. He made it clear that tit-for-tat following in non-Shariah matters is prohibited but not in the good deeds. “If we say that when Christians give alms and do good charitable work then should the Muslims stop doing these deeds just because they are in resemblance to the deeds done by Christians. I will cite an example from the life of Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him); when our beloved Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (peace be upon him) arrived in Medina and found the Jews of Medina fasting on the 10th of Moharram and enquired why did they do this, the Jews replied that on this day God set them free from the atrocities of pharaoh and Prophet Moses (AS) fasted on this day and ordered them to do so. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said ‘Muslims have more right to observe the traditions of Prophet Moses (AS) and so explained the blessings of Ashura to his companions’. With this argument we are celebrating the ‘Milad-al-Masih’ (AS) and consider it as a divine arrangement that the birth anniversary of our beloved prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) is falling on December 24 , while Christians will be celebrating birth anniversary of Jesus on December 25,” he added.
Those who attended the seminar included, All Pakistan Newspaper Hawkers Association Chairman Tikka Khan, former justice of Shariah Court Justice Waheedudin Siddiqui, Pastor Adil Masih Gill, Moulana Saleem Haidri, Qari Shafiq ur Rehman, Beenish Malik as well leaders from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Baha’I faiths also spoke on the occasion appreciating the celebration of ‘Milad-un-Nabiyain’ terming it an opportunity for followers of all religions to set aside their differences and promote interfaith harmony. They also supported the sentiments expressed by Allama GR Chishti and the mission carried out by Universal Interfaith Peace Mission for promotion of interreligious harmony for greater benefit of humanity.
