Lahore: (Pervez Yousaf) The National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (NCIDE) a project the of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan (CBCP) organized an Interreligious prayer gathering here at Lahore.  The prayer gathering which was attended by the leaders of different religions including Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs was headed by His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM, the Archbishop of Lahore and chairman of NCIDE.

All the participants offered prayers according to their creeds for the people of entire world and specially for the people of Italy, Iran, Spain, Belgium, China, UK and USA where number of deceased and infected people are very high due to the attack of this monstrous virus.  This assembly of faithful belonging to different religions expressed their deep concern and solidarity with the families and relatives of all the victims. They also offered prayers for the doctors, nurses, para medical staff and administrations of all the hospitals around the world that may Almighty God keep them safe in carrying out their services for the ailing people.

On this occasion, the Archbishop appealed families of the Christian faithful around the world to continue prayers and observe Holy Hour and Novena in their homes. He also urged Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and believers of other religions of the world to offer prayers according to their creeds to get rid of this horrible virus.  He also appealed the religious leaders of the entire world to offer prayers in their places of worship i.e. Mosques, Churches, Temples and Gurudwaras etc.  The Archbishop and chairman of the NCIDE assured that delegates of the commission will continue holding such prayer gatherings till the end of this virus.

This special prayer gathering was attended by Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, executive secretary of NCIDE; Fr. Mushtaq Pyara, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Khateeb and Imam of Badshahi Masjid; Sahibzada Muhammad Asim Makhdoom, chairman of the board of Kul Masalik Ulema, Mufti Maulana Syed Ashiq Hussain, principal Madrissa Bait-ul-Quran,  Dr. Badar Munir, Allama Asghar Arif Chishti, Pir S.A. Jafri, Amarnath Randhawa (Hindu leader) and Sardar Bishon Singh (Sikh leader)

A pamphlet of instructions for the protection from this virus was also distributed for further distribution among the general public which was printed and published by NCIDE.

Meanwhile, The National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue & Ecumenism (NCIDE), a project of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan (CBCP) assembled a small gathering of the leaders of different religions including Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs to distribute masks for further distribution in Madrissas, Mandirs, Gurudwaras, Mosques and Churches.  The occasion was headed by the Chairman of NCIDE and Archbishop of Lahore His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM within the premises of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore.

While distributing the masks the Archbishop also shared his views with the media representatives and participants of the gathering.  He said that the entire humanity is under the attack of this killing virus.  It is not the affliction of a specific community, followers of a specific religion or the people of a specific color, caste or creed.  Likewise, the NCIDE is standing with the entire humanity and sharing its efforts without any discrimination.  He said that wearing a mask is a dire need of the hour in order to remain safe from the spread of this virus.  He said that we are concerned with all the humankind and these masks which the commission is handing over to Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh leaders are meant to be further distributed in Madrissas (Muslims seminaries), Mosques, Churches, Mandirs and Gurudwaras.

The present religious leaders cherished the emotions of the Archbishop and the gesture of solidarity of NCIDE with the ailing humanity.

Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, executive secretary of NCIDE; Fr. Mushtaq Pyara, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Khateeb and Imam of Badshahi Masjid; Sahibzada Muhammad Asim Makhdoom, chairman of the board of Kul Masalik Ulema, Mufti Maulana Syed Ashiq Hussain, principal Madrissa Bait-ul-Quran, Dr. Badar Munir, Allama Asghar Arif Chishti, Pir S.A. Jafri, Amarnath Randhawa (Hindu leader) and Sardar Bishon Singh (Sikh leader) were the distinguished leaders present on this occasion.

Source, The Pakistan Christian Post: https://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/head-line-news-details/7360?fbclid=IwAR2_gGXAAML3NMdTyPmUQ_unCGHUNfEfAJdTEM_aaaB2USZfzFwrl53f5pI#