On Tuesday, A beautiful example of interfaith harmony was witnessed at UAE Consulate in Karachi hosted an interfaith iftar Dinner in honor of Interfaith Harmony Karachi at the UAE Karachi Consulate.
The interfaith iftar, which focused on interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence, gathered civil society figures and representatives of the different religious communities established in Karachi, including Islam, Parsi , Baha’i ,Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism, at the UAE Consulate to break the fast together. The scrumptious Iftar followed by a delicious dinner was attended and enjoyed by members of the multiple faiths. Cardinal Joseph Coutts, was the guest of honor on the occasion.
Sindh Provincial senior Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Ambassador at Large for Global Peace & Human Rights, Chairman Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony (ICPH ) Imam Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui Vice Moderator Church Of Pakistan Bishop Kaleem John, Bishop Of Karachi & Balochistan Bishop Fedrik John, Chief Petron Pakistan Sikh Council Sardar Ramesh Singh, Guru Pandit Ram Nath, Co- Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asad Iqbal Butt , Parsi Community Tushna Patail ,Karachi Dawoodi Bohra Ali Asgahr Abdullah Shakir, Kalipna Devi Advocate General Sindh , Pundit Vijay Maharaj Guswami, Transgender Community Bindiya Rana, Bahai Farsheed Roohani, She Foundation chairperson Elizabeth Morris, Master Peace Pakistan Kelash Sarhadi , MPA Mangla Sharma and other dignitaries participated.
Consul General UAE Karachi Bakhit Atiq Al-Rumiti said by building on mutual understanding, coexistence and respect for human dignity, we can achieve many miracles. The UAE has shown, through major milestones such as the Abraham Accords, that its model of religious pluralism and tolerance makes it a haven of peace in a region known for its conflicts. We are deeply committed to the promotion of tolerance and peaceful, interfaith coexistence, in the UAE, in Sindh Baluchistan and Pakistan, and throughout the world. The interfaith iftar demonstrated the success of solidarity, which is derived from the intrinsic value of tolerance in the Emirati community. Caring for others, dealing with others with good morals and living cohesively are integral parts of the construct of this holy month of Ramadan and it stands as a cornerstone in this country’s culture.
Cardinal Joseph Coutts said: This is a wonderful initiative from the UAE, in line with the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi, in 2019. I pray to the Lord to bless today’s gathering so that we all learn that we are brothers and are ready to help each other in every difficult time. it sends out a big message not only to this area, but to the city and to the whole country.
Imam Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui said: To present the current dialogue between people of different faiths from tumbling into ignorance, concern and confrontation, the UAE, through its many actions, is enabling the search for a brotherhood between believers of different religions that is solidly rooted in the spiritual, ethical and humanistic values which the UAE represents. Interfaith dialogue is essential in this day and age, because, so often, religion has been a reason for conflict. He looks at people from different religions as flowers in a beautiful bouquet, where each flower is unique and has its own value and beauty. He also said that he prayed for prosperity and peace in his country. He thanked the Consul General for highlighting the UAE’s services to religious freedom, tolerance and interfaith harmony and appreciated services to the UAE Karachi consulate.
The Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi Bakhit Atiq Al-Rumiti, thanked the participants for attending the iftar dinner.
