Islam teaches interfaith harmony, love and peace: Barrister Saif

PESHAWAR, December 23:: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif Thursday said that Islam teaches interfaith harmony, love and peace and therefore no one has the right to treat minorities harshly or mistreated.
He was addressing a cake cutting ceremony in connection with the Christmas Celebration organized by China Window, a Chinese Cultural Center (CCC) here. Bishop Ernest Jacob, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ravi Kumar, Former Member KP Assembly Dr. Zakir Shah, Religious Scholar Maulana Muhammad Shoaib, DG Audit Israr Ul Haq, Member National Cultural Committee Ali Jan, Honorary Consul General of Tajikistan and Vice Chairman KPBOIT Engineer Syed Mahmood, Head of Christian Students Fellowship Augustine Jacob and Professor Jamil Chitrali also addressed the gathering and wished the Christian community – “A Merry Christmas”.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif also highlighted the historical significance of the relationship between Muslims and Christians and said that the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) had taught tolerance and love towards minorities.
It is the government’s responsibility to protect the rights of the minorities, he added. He said that Islam never supports violence and oppression but it has taught peace and non-violence to the world in every age.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that the main reason for Islamophobia spreading in the world at present is that the basic teachings of Islam have not been understood. In order to curb the negative propaganda against Islam, it is necessary to promote inter-religious harmony in the society and provide a better environment for the minority community, he further added. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif lauded the management of the China Window for sharing the joys of the Christian community.
On this occasion, special prayers were offered for the development and prosperity of the country and Pakistan. A Christmas cake cutting ceremony was also held wherein all the guests took part.
Speakers from different walks of life congratulated the Christian community on Christmas, highlighting the importance of Christmas and religious harmony.
Earlier, Administrator China Window Amjad Aziz Malik, in his address to the gathering, said that the Christmas celebrations are being held at a time when we need far-reaching initiatives for religious harmony.
He said just as the friendship between Pakistan and China is everlasting and we consider the happiness of the people of China as our happiness, so this event by China Window is undoubtedly the first and unique event of its kind in Peshawar which conveys the message of love, peace to the minorities. It is also intended that our Chinese brothers and sisters share in your happiness in China, Pakistan and across the world.-PR