A Sikh-Christian Delegation around 35 people from different backgrounds gathered in Lahore on 23rd November 2019 and paid solidarity visit to commemorate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib, he was (1469) the first guru of the Sikhs. The delegation was lead by Mr. James Rehmat Executive Director ECHD (Ecumenical Commission for Human Development) and Sardar Gurmeet Sing a Tourist Guide from Wadiya Travels. Mr. Faisal Ilyas Executive Secretary Peace Center Lahore joined the group to visit the historic and sacred place of our Sikh community.

The solidarity visit focused the theme ‘Pursuing Peace in a Pluralistic World’. This was the first time that ECHD hosted a Christian-Sikh solidarity visit to sacred place of Sikh religion. In the Old Testament, the Psalmist issues an exhortation: “to seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14). In the gospels we read Jesus saying in his sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”, (Matthew 5:9).

Despite the distinctiveness of and differences between, Christianity and Sikhism, there are significant commonalities. Both are monotheistic faith traditions, which have scriptures at the heart of their spiritual and ritual life. What also bind these traditions is the idea of hospitality, which is reflected in these traditions through the practice of sharing meals – both ritual and real – i.e. through the Christian practice of Eucharist and the Sikh practice of Langar. Therefore, this encounter offers exciting possibilities for future engagement and is considered to be a first step in a long process of walking and working together towards justice and peace.

Everybody learned how to promote the urge of co-existence, respect and acceptance of all faiths that is the dire need of the hour in Pakistan and elsewhere in the whole world. Yes, prosperity begins at home, so start from your own home, then city and so on. Thank you!