Reconciliation between Christians and Muslims at Punjab Institute of Mental Health in Lahore
Peace and reconciliation are always possible. Blessed are the peacemakers as Jesus Christ has said and we read it in the Gospel of St Matthew chapter 5. During the month of May a grave tension erupted among Christians and Muslims in the Punjab Institute of Mental Health Care in Lahore. The tension started as Christian nurse has shared WhatsApp with her group of Muslim and Christian nurses. This message was sent by a Pakistani living abroad in which he has spoken against the government and armed forces. Muslim took it as offensive message and started campaign against the Christian Nurses and other Christian staff. Christians Nurses were scared to death and this incident was reported in the international press and social media. Fr James Channan OP and Maulana Zubair along with several other Muslim Ulama / religious leaders and Christian leaders intervened and went to the Hospital and has discussion with the hospital authorities to resolve this issue and tension through dialogue. It was successful encounter. We thank God that the tensions between the Christian and Muslim staff of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health Institute was resolved and peace, harmony and mutual respect have been restored. Muslim and Christian nurses, doctors, along with paramedical staff, offered the common prayer of thanksgiving in the auditorium which is used as a Church in this hospital. Fr. James Channan OP and Allama Zubair Abid succeeded in making this reconciliation and thus defused the tension. Government of Pakistan appreciated to effort of Fr. James Channan OP and Allama Zubair Abid for this reconciliation in Punjab Institute of Mental Health between Christian and Muslims. That was a great achievement of Interfaith leaders and wonderful impact in the result of Christian Muslim Dialogue in Pakistan. Fr. James Channan OP and Allama Zubair Abid resolved this conflict through dialogue and positive sharing. This reconciliation is good example to resolve tensions and conflicts between people of different religions. World need love and peace but unfortunately, we are looking wars and conflicts between nations and religions. Through dialogue we can change the World in Love and we can stop the Wars between nations and religions.