Syeda Mazhar
Pakistan’s Christians celebrate Christmas every year much as do Christians in other lands, though they also have some unique traditions. December 25th is a public holiday in Pakistan as well, though this is mostly due to its also being the birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of the modern Pakistani state. Although Pakistan is 97 percent Muslim and only 1.5 percent Christian, there are still 2.8 million Christians in Pakistan, a land with a population 200 million strong. A large Catholic community has existed in Karachi since colonial times, and there are Christians throughout the country, most of them living in poor, rural areas.
Pakistan belongs to all those who are living in it including minorities, who are ensured to live a liberated life in Pakistan. They are given proper rights and the luxury to follow and practice their own religion without any sort of interference from the government. However the view that interfaith harmony cannot be achieved in Pakistan without addressing some structural problems like interpretation of religion, relationship between religion and politics, legitimacy/illegitimacy of violence, provision of security by the state and overstretched role of clergy, is of immense importance.
Jinnah’s famous address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, when read in conjunction with his speeches during the time – as mentioned above, clarifies the true meaning of his words. His words represented his view of Islam, not a departure from it, where all stand equal:
“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 or cast or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of the State. … We are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State. … Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.” In February 1948, in another broadcast, this time to the people of the USA, the Quaid outlined his expectations regarding the constitution:
“The Constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of the constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life, as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its ideals have taught us democracy. It has taught use equality of men, justice and fair play to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions … as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State – to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims – Hindus, Christians, and Parsis – but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”
From the above, it is clear that Jinnah dreamed of the creation of an “Islamic democracy”, not a theocracy nor a democratic system devoid of religious influence.
The lack of education and understanding of other religions is a basic hurdle in establishing harmony among the followers of different faiths. Changing attitudes on tolerance in the short term is difficult, so policy interventions should focus less on changing particular beliefs about other groups and more on changing the norms that govern behaviors. Islamic clerics could be among elites especially well-suited to shaping such norms in general and norms concerning interfaith interactions in particular.
In Pakistan, Christmas season is an opportunity of Christians to share the peace of Christ with their Muslim neighbors. Christians share cakes and sweets and exchange gifts as well with their Muslim friends. Churches and Christian organizations arrange special Christmas dinners and invite government officials. Almost all mainstream Muslim political parties try to send delegates with cakes to offer Christmas greetings before or during Christmas services. The midnight Christmas Eve service thus has become an opportunity for efforts toward building peace and harmony between Muslims and Christians.
The joyful spirit of this day is more delightful than any other holiday. The celebrations of the day are increased two folds when it is shared with the birth of the founder of Pakistan. On the streets, the youth and the elders, the muslims and the minorities alike ignite fireworks to enjoy the auspicious day with their fellow countrymen and the others the holidays it brings along with it.
