Toronto: December 21, 2016. (PCP) The Consulate of Pakistan in Toronto held its fourth annual Christmas celebration in partnership with the International Christian Voice. The event was extremely well attended with many individuals from both the Pakistani Christian and Muslim communities from across Canada. It was a great event promoting interfaith harmony, peace and brotherhood amongst all people of Pakistani origin. The Emcee for the evening was Ms. Nitasha Bhatti, who opened the program by welcoming everyone in attendance and wishing the community a very Merry Christmas. The program officially commenced with opening prayers by Pastor Lazar Silas followed by Mr. Mohammad Ashraf from the Muslim community. The Canadian and Pakistani national anthems were then played. Mr. Akhtar Din, a member of the Pakistani Christian community, read a passage out of the Holy Bible explaining the importance of Christ’s birth and the reason Christians celebrate His coming into the world. Rev.Father Jose from St. Andrew’s Parish gave a message on Christmas from the Bible, explaining that the advent season is a time of preparation as Christians wait for the coming of the Saviour. He also emphasised the importance of living in unity and love with one another. Senator Salma Ataullahjan and Etobicoke-North MPP Shafiq Qadri, both of Pakistani descent, shared their Christmas greetings while discussing the importance of building the relationship between Canada and Pakistan and creating inter-religious dialogue. Members of Parliament Ms. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre) and Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan) also shared their Christmas greetings with the community and applauded the Consulate for celebrating Christmas as a show of interfaith harmony and unity in Canada. Chairman of ICV Mr. Peter Bhatti opened his message with a moment of silence for the victims of the PIA plane crash in Pakistan a few days earlier. He then reflected on the importance of Christmas while thanking the Consul General for hosting the 4th annual Christmas celebration in the Consulate. Mr. Bhatti appreciated the Pakistani government for bringing to justice the killers of Christian couple Shama and Shahzad who were burned alive while urging the government to release other victims like Asia Bibi who are wrongfully imprisoned. He concluded by urging the Canadian government to help promote human rights and religious freedom in Pakistan. The Consul General of Pakistan took a moment to welcome everyone in attendance and wishing the community a Merry Christmas. He pledged to bring marginalized communities in Pakistan into the mainstream and assured the community of his commitment to bring peace and unity into Pakistan. Mr. Akhtar Din and Mr. Albert Kamran took the stage following formal speeches to lead the attendees with a Christmas Carol, celebrating the spirit of Christmas and creating an atmosphere of joy and happiness. Following the carol singing, the honourable guests, religious leaders, and leaders of the community joined together in the Christmas cake cutting ceremony to conclude the program. Father Joseph from St. Phillip Church Toronto said the concluding prayer and a prayer for dinner. Special thanks to ICV members Mr. Tanveer Joseph, Mr. Qamar Andreas, Rev. Dr. Rashid Gill, Mr. Aftab Rana, Mrs. Eliza Charles, Ms. Nitasha Bhatti, and the staff of the consulate without whom this event would not have been such a success.