Through religious festivals we can promote Respect, Unity, Love, Interfaith Harmony and Peace, among the people of different religions in Pakistan.
Peace Center, Lahore organized an Interfaith Iftar Dinner with the partnership of Christian Care Foundation, Seventh-Day Adventist Church Pakistan and the Ministry of Human Right Pakistan on 3rd March,2025 at Lahore. The host of the program was Fr. James Channan OP Director Peace Center and Mr. Tanveer Yaqoob Chairman Christian Care Foundation. In this program 130 Interfaith religious leaders, representatives of civil society and media, doctors, advocates, teachers and peace activists were present from different religions as Muslims, Christians, Hindus and with joy they participated like brothers and sisters in this interfaith gathering. As Guest of Honor Mr. Kim, Sun Hwan Director Adventist Mission North Asia Pacific Division South Korea and in honourable guests Mr. Myun Ju Lee President Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Asher Ilyas Syed Kashif Hussain representative the Ministry of Human Right Pakistan, Gary and Cheryl Koeven, Mr. James Zamran the member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mufti Ashiq Hussain, Pandit Baghat Lal Khokhar, Mr. Javed William, Allama Badar Munir, Allama Asim Makhdoom, Allama Mehmood Ghaznavi, Fr. John Joseph, Allama Qasim Ali Qasim, Syed Nau-Bhar Shah, Amarnath Randhawa, Allama Abdu-Mustafa Chishti, Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM, Dr. Saleem, Dr. Abdul Ghawar Randhawa, Pastor Asif Khokhar, Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry, Zaheer Shah, Pastor Amjad Nimat, Mr. Naukhez Khokhar, Advocate Saima Rafique, Asif Joseph, Samuel Nazir, Khalid Anjum, Iqbal Sani, Advocate Ch Zubair Farooq Ahmad, Pervaiz Khokhar participated in this Interfaith Iftar Dinner at Peace Center. Mr. Asher Nazir ExecuƟve Secretary Peace Center, Lahore began the program with Interfaith Prayers and he invited Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM for ChrisƟan prayer, Pandit Baghat Lal Khokhar for Hindu prayer and Muhammad Zaheer Hussain for Muslim prayer. Mr. Asher Nazir introduced all honourable guests and the staff of Peace Center presented beauƟful bouquets of roses to Kim, Sun Hwan, Myun Ju Lee, Mr. Gary Koeven, Syed Kashif and Fr. James Channan OP. He invited Fr. James Channan OP to share the objecƟve of the program and welcome note. Fr. James Channan OP welcomed to all honourable guests and participants and he shared that today, we come together as people of different faiths, backgrounds, and traditions to celebrate Interfaith Iftar Dinner at Peace Center, Lahore.
Let us join in extinguishing the fires of hatred and violence and instead light the gentle candle of peace and love that are present in our rich human and religious traditions.
As people of different religions, we are witnesses of Hope”. Hope can be symbolized by a candle, whose light radiates security and joy.
May you’re fasting and other pious practices during Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Eid-ul Fitr that concludes it, bring you abundant fruits of peace, hope and joy.
Our Lenten season will begin on 5th March,2025 and the teachings of Jesus Christ emphasize compassion, forgiveness, and peace—values that resonate in all religions. His life was dedicated to serving others, uplifting the poor, healing the broken, and spreading love without discrimination. We must hold on to these values to build a more peaceful and united Pakistan.
Mr. Kim Sun Hwan Director Adventist Mission North Asia Pacific Division South Korea shared that I want Peace for all and the Lord wants their children to experience its love and satisfaction. From my heart I am thankful to the Lord because today this be possible by the Lord that we are all present in the Peace Center to make the bridges of love and peace. With it I am thankful to Fr. James Channan OP because I wasn't expecting that I will meet him in the Peace Center. He shared with me the history and working of the Peace Center and he said from 2010 Peace Center is working to promote peace and Interfaith harmony. It means that the Peace Center has completed fifteen years. Remember when you look negative things in other then you will find negative things but when you try to look positive and common things to other then you will find good things and you can become good friends. He said that no matter our beliefs, we are all part of the same human family. Our shared values—kindness, justice, and respect for one another—can help us foster a society where all people can live with dignity and harmony. As the Holy Quran (49:13) reminds us:
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another."
Mr. Myun Ju Lee President Seventh-Day Adventist Church shared that today is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet religious leaders who belong from different religions as Muslim, Christian and Hindu. I am very much impressed to listen to their thoughts about peace, love, respect and acceptance to the people of other religions. But when I was coming to participate in this Interfaith Iftar Dinner I was worried because that was my thinking that many religious leaders are coming from different religions and they have different thinking and thoughts. But when I entered the Peace Center, everyone met me and they welcomed me with joy, love and respect and all interfaith leaders gave honour to me and for this honour and love I am thankful to all of you. I know one thing is common in every religion and this is Peace. Everyone wants peace. The month of Ramadan is a time of prayer, fasting and charity. I am Christian and I want to pray for Muslims brothers and sisters in this special month of Ramadan. He talked on 5 pillars of Islam that there are five key practices that all Muslims are obligated to fulfil throughout their lifetime. These practices are referred to as pillars because they form the foundation of Muslim life. I saw two things in every religion: first is prayer and second helps others. When we care and help others then peace will come in our society. “We need to grant each other the dignity of difference, we also need to find those things that build bridges between our differences — and helping and loving power to other does that,”“‘Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you,’” I mean, it’s just everywhere in every religion
Mr. Gary Koeven said that I am happy to attend this event and as member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are working for humanitarian and we believe that if you love the needy people, you love the God. We should care
and love to other without of any difference because we are the beautiful creation of Lord.
Allam Badar Munir shared that Pakistan is a beautiful country and this is the beauty of Pakistan that different religions, different cultures, different languages and different seasons in Pakistan. Love is stronger than hate, unity is stronger than division, and hope is stronger than fear. May this day inspire us to work together for peace, interfaith harmony, and the progress of our beloved Pakistan.
Allama Asim Makhdoom shared that we are a peace family and together we are working for peace and interfaith harmony and today this program is a good example and model of love and peace that how together we can create unity, love,
tolerance and peace among the people of different religions through these religious festivals. According to my religion, this goodness is for all, not for one person or group. God has planted a light in us, in some more, others less, but in all.”
Mufti Ashiq Hussain shared that Ramadan is a time for spiritual renewal, self-improvement, and generosity. It reminds Muslims to be grateful, kind, and conscious of God in every action. Through fasting, they purify their hearts, strengthen their faith, and contribute to a better, more compassionate world. Ramadan is known as the month of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation
Muslims seek Allah’s forgiveness and also forgive others, promoting peace and reconciliation. By experiencing hunger, Muslims develop empathy for the less fortunate. Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah) is emphasized during Ramadan to help those in need. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best of men are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Hadith - Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat). He said that Pope Francis is our benefactor and in all the World only Pope Francis spoke against Israel and three times he has announced that in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war,” he said. Mufti Ashiq Hussain said that I appeal to all Muslims that in the month of Ramadan every Muslim pray for the good health of Pope Francis.
Professor Mehmood Ghaznavi shared that the Holy Quran, says in Surah 5 verse 32 “if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.” The Holy Bible says that behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! With these words I want to thank all of you and specially I want to say thank you to Fr. James Channan OP and the staff team of Peace Center to organize this beautiful Interfaith Iftar Dinner.
Mr. Tanveer Yaqoob Chairman Christian Care Foundation and Mr. Asher Ilyas shared that we are grateful and thankful to all religious leaders in this Interfaith Iftar Dinner by Seventh-Day Adventist Church. We are thankful to Fr. James Channan OP Director Peace Center and we hope that together we will work for the promotion of peace and interfaith harmony for the people of different religions and Seventh-DAY Adventist Church will be with you and we have schools, colleges and hospital in the different cities of Pakistan and our support always with you. We appreciate to Fr. James Channan OP for his services to promote peace and interfaith harmony among the people of different religions in Pakistan. Seventh-Day Adventist Church will give appreciation award to Fr. James Channan OP for his wonderful services very soon. In the closing remarks of Fr. James Channan OP thanked all honourable guests, religious leaders and participants for participation in this wonderful Interfaith Iftar Dinner at Peace Center Lahore.
Mr. Asher Nazir invited Pastor Amjad Nimat for closing and food prayer.
All parƟcipants enjoyed with delicious Interfaith Dinner at Peace Center Lahore, Pakistan
