“YOU are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State,” the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said during his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on election as its President in Karachi on 11 August 1947.
December 25th marks the Day of Christmas as well as the Birth Day of Jinnah. Christian community across the country celebrated their Religious Festival with high Zeal and Fervor in standards and freedom of what Christians enjoying in their-dominated countries like US, Canada, Australia, European States and other countries around the world.
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Pakistan while govt-level events and ceremonies in reference with its celebrations are usually dominating other practices in the country for about a week. Ranging from Prime Minister House to a small office, the Christian workers always been greeted by their organizations, employeers and common population of the country in order to further enrich the Phenomenon for those celebrating the Religious Festival.
Alongside official greetings, events and good wishes – Festive lights and colorful buntings adorned the Churches and buildings, while Church Bells rang across Christian neighborhoods. Millions of Pakistani Christians marked the Festivity and held special prayers for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the country.
In a message, President Dr. Arif Alvi has reiterated the State’s commitment to protect the rights of minorities, which are guaranteed and protected in the Constitution. He said Christmas gives a message of universal love, brotherhood, tolerance, and sacrifices and these values play a crucial role in putting a society on the path of development. He also appreciated the Christian community s positive role and contribution in progress and development of the country.
“Merry Christmas to the Christian community around the world & particularly our Pakistani Christian brothers & sisters. Jesus Christ s teachings of love, brotherhood & peace are beacon of light for us. On this Day, let us all renew our pledge to work for peace & prosperity for all,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a tweet.
Indeed, there have been discussions on Social Media weather greeting Christians on Christmas is in-line with Islam, but, indeed there is no ambiguity in the Constitution and no-law restricting our citizens from extending good wishes on Religious Festivals to Pakistan’s minorities and worldwide celebrators.
Since there is no unpleasant incident pushed by religious extremism, the safety and freedom of Pakistan’s minorities now need global recognition that is not monitored by biased, politically, and geographically influenced Watchdogs on Religious Freedom and Human Rights issues.
On this Christmas, no incident where Christians have been attacked, killed, humiliated or have seen their homes being burned down. It is always being positive to see the leadership’s contribution to religious festivities. But there is also need of further commitment among political leadership to eliminate religious extremism that producing a challenging environment and sometimes giving a sense of deprivation to the minorities in our country. Everyone must have the opportunity and peaceful ground for practicing their religious, ethnic, and traditional Festivals across the country.
Published in Daily Country News, December 26th, 2022.
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