The guests were honored with garlands on beat of Dhole and Bangra.
Mr. Anjum Bhatti, President CLPAP, elaborately presented the vision, mission, goal and objectives of the League. He said, "Christian League of Pakistan in USA, Pennsylvania is an organization for the Promotion of Human Rights and especially the Minority Rights in Pakistan through peace dialogue for the reconciliation, promoting culture of tolerance and acceptance. The League also works for the rehabilitation of the victims and traumatized communities of religious persecution, discrimination and hostility. The League raises its voice for the diminution of the atrocious discriminatory laws in Pakistan. This unjust regulation has distressed the Christian Minority". He further shared," The rationale of the League is to uproot Religious Intolerance from Pakistani society through the mobilization of a networking of organizations, movements and groups. The League also condemns terrorism and religious intolerance, persecution of religious minorities especially Christians: but it struggles for the freedom of religion and worship; protect members of all religious communities.
After Leagues introduction, the Oath Taking ceremony took place. The Executive Board Members were called upon stage one by one; Mr. Anjum Bhatti (President), Ch. Rashid Akhtar (Chairman), Ch. Yaqub Rahmet (Pattern), Mr. Waseem Anwar (Senior Voice Presdient), Mr. Shahzad Frank (Voice President), Miss Mehwish Rashid (General Secretary), Mr. Aslam Shaheen (Treasure), Mr. Augustine Jalal (Press Secretary).
Honorable Tom Lessy, Senior Judge, took oath and all the people present in the hall congratulated the executive board. After the Executive Board, the Board members also took oath. The board members are as follows; Khadim Hector, Hameed Dess, George Murad, Majeed Micheal
Maqsood Bhatti, Javaid Hashim, Shahzad Soram, Naseer Yousaf, Inayat Masih, Patras Bhatti
Eric John, James Joseph, Idress Messi and Emmanuel Shad
After oath taking ceremony, Honorable Tom Lessy (Senior Judge) was invited to share few words and his remarks. In his speech, he appreciated and congratulated all the members of the Executive and the Board members. He also appreciated the role of Christian League of Pakistan in America PA. He stress that there is a great need to support this noble cause and work hard to promote love and peace in this world.
After this, award distribution ceremony took place. The M.C. invited Mr. Anjum Bhatti (President) and Ch. Rashid Akhtar (Chairman) on the stage, which invited award recipients one by one on the stage and expressed their services for the human rights. The awards were handed over to the award recipients by distinguished personalities. Following personalities were honored awards.
Amenda Benet (chief Editor Philadelphia Inquirer), Senator Rick Santorum (Republican) received by Ms. Mary Festino, Representative of Senator Rick Santorum, Dr. Hameed Dess (Christian Poet), Rev. George Westwater (former Priest) Tarrytown, NY, Mr. Salah Udin Khan Ghazi (President of Pakistan community cultural organization). Mr. Adnan Malik (Social and Human Rights Activist). Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Nasir (Chairman Asian Ministry), Dr. Nazir Bhatti (Journalist, Chief Editor Christian Post), Rev. Dr. Robert Shine (elected president black clergy of PA), Rev. Fr. Terrance Quinn, Tarrytown, NY.
Mr. Rashid Akhtar (Chairman) thanked all the honorable guests and distinguished participants who traveled from all the way from different states and shared their wonderful time with the League and made this program a successful one. Mr. Rashid Akhtar said, "I am indeed very grateful to all of you for being present here and showing up your support. Christian League of Pakistan in America in PA is not only an organization but it is a movement, a struggle for the human rights, for the rights of the minorities regardless of cast, religion and creed. We are committed to support and extend a helping hand towards the downtrodden and depressed communities. We condemn all the inhuman behaviors and in human laws in Pakistan and all over the world, which has made people's lives not only difficult but have caused bloodshed. We urge Pakistan Government to make sure that the discriminatory laws should be abolished and all kind of inhuman behaviors should be abandoned".