Lahore: June 16, 2019. (PCP) National Commission for Inter-faith Dialogue and Ecumenism (Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference) organized an Eid Milan Party on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr for Muslim community on the behalf of the Pakistan Christian community. His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw and Mr. Ijaz Alam Augustine Provincial minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Punjab were the chief guests. Ullemas (Islamic religious leaders) and members of civil society participated in this Eid Milan Party.

Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap the executive secretary National Commission for Inter-faith Dialogue and Ecumenism (Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference) expressed his gratitude in his introductory remarks to all the participants of Eid Milan Party who have been playing their active and vital role in the promotion of peace and harmony in the country. He further stated that it is the need of the hour to work together without any discrimination for peace, prosperity and progress of Pakistan. Mr. Ijaz Alam Augustine minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Punjab appreciated the good work of National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference) for promoting peace and harmony. He assured that the Punjab Government would support all the peace initiative of the Commission and will work with it for promotion of peace and harmony. He suggested to promote interfaith tourism and to form interfaith peace committees in different districts of Punjab for the purpose of creating brotherly and peaceful coexistence.

His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw the Chairman National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference) extended his Eid wishes and greetings to all the Muslims of Pakistan. He thanked all the Ullema (Islamic religious leaders) who have been working for the promotion of tolerance, acceptance, peace and harmony in their mosques, madars (Muslim seminaries) and other institutions. He expressed his determination to continue to work together with the religious leaders of different religions for the betterment of the society for the peaceful coexistence. His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw especially emphasized on the need of promoting the culture of acceptance in the society.

The “Message for the Month of Ramadan and 'EID- Al-Fitr' issued by Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City was also read out during this Eid Milan Party. The Muslim religious leaders Maulana Muhammad Asim Makhdoom the Chairman of Kul-Maslik-Ullma Board Lahore, and Mofti Ashiq Husaan, head of Jamiah Bait ul Quran, Lahore thanked the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City on the behalf of the Pakistani Muslim community for issuing the message for the month of Ramadan and 'EID- Al-Fitr'. They handed over a letter of gratitude to His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City. Head of Interfaith Relations Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Sohail Ahmed Raza also handed over a latter of gratefulness to His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City.

They all expressed their joy and gratitude to the National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference) for organizing the Eid Milan Party. They assured their commitment to continue to collaborate actively with the Commission to carry out the mission of peace and harmony.  There was an Eid cake ceremony at the end where all the religious leaders participated.  A good number Muslim, Hindus, Sikhs and Christian religious leaders participated in the Eid Milan Party.