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LAHORE, Dec 25 (APP): The National Institute of Public Policy (NIPP) hosted a seminar to promote interfaith harmony.
According to a press release issued here on Thursday the event was attended by Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Khateeb of the Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Father James Channan, National School of Public Policy (NSPP) Rector Dr Muhammad Jamil Afaqi, NIPP leadership and team.
National Institute of Public Policy (NIPP) Dean Dr Naveed Elahi specially invited employees of NIPP belonging from the minority religious communities.
The ceremony started with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by a reading from the Holy Bible symbolizing the institution’s deep rooted commitment to mutual respect and
co-existence.
(NIPP) Dr Naveed Elahi opened the proceedings by quoting the historic words of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, “You are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your Mosques or to any
other place 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.”
Dr Elahi emphasized that these words were not merely a message from the past but a shield of protection and promise to all religious communities residing in Pakistan.
Father James Channan addressed the audience, stating, “Pakistan’s diversity is its strength and that interfaith harmony is the ultimate key to the country’s success.”
He noted that Pakistan’s narrative
of inclusion were now globally recognized by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Vatican largely due to the wide circulation of the Paigham-e-Pakistan program.
Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, emphasized that maintaining communal harmony was a religious and
moral obligation.
He highlighted that unity among all religions was the prime agenda of the State of Pakistan and the message of Islam as well.
He further mentioned that the ‘Paigham-i-Pakistan’ initiative had successfully conveyed the state’s message of peace both domestically and internationally.
In closing remarks, (NSPP) Rector Dr Muhammad Jamil Afaqi stressed that while the state was responsible for policy and rule of law, the actual practice of harmony belongs to the people.
He noted that interfaith harmony must be a collective effort of all citizens rather than just a state policy.
To mark the spirit of the day, a ceremonial cake-cutting was held with the distinguished guests, faculty
and interns. The gesture served as a powerful visual reminder of the shared values that bind Pakistan’s
diverse faith communities together.