http://www.christiansinpakistan.

com/christian-muslimget-togethers-widely-welcomed/
According to details, the Pontifical Council Bishop supports and
appreciates the Christian-Muslim get together in Lahore. Fr.
Inayat Bernard said, Such events help us to come close to
each other. Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM; Apostolic
Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lahore and the member of
the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue and
Ecumenism met a delegation of around 60 Muslim and
Christian guests. This get together was organized by the
Council for Inter faith Dialogue (CIFD) at Ambassador Hall
Lahore. At this occasion, Bishop Sebastian Shaw said that,
Interfaith dialogue is an opportunity to know and appreciate
one another. We are like a bouquet with different flowers
having their own identity and fragrance.
Fr. Pascal Paulus; OP the vice provincial of the Dominicans in
Pakistan said, It is a good sign that the Christian
denominations are present here to be in solidarity with the
Muslim brothers and sisters. We wish Muslims peace and
tranquillity and pray for internal peace to promote humanity.
Fr. James Chaman OP said that, Such programmes help the
Muslim brothers to come close to each other in prayer. It is our
ardent wish that God Almighty may shower His grace through
the regular prayer and fasting. Pope Francis I sent his message
to the whole Muslim world. He has stressed the mutual respect
among religions especially Muslims and Christians.
Shabnam Nagi, a Muslim Advocate said that, The gathering of
today is the proof of oneness between the Christians and
Muslims. The recent floods have made thousands of people
homeless and they are in a disturbed situation and we do not
forget them in this season. We are planning to set up tents and
facilitate in the rehabilitation work.
Maulana Javed Akbar Saqi said that, As the Christians have

extended their hand of brotherhood we shall also continue to

show our respect on their religious occasions like Christmas
and Easter.
Core Commander of Pakistan Army Akbar Naqvi stationed at
Lahore Cantt said,I am grateful that I am invited for such a
gathering. The founder of Pakistan has given equality to all
religions in the country. The supporters and promoters of
terrorism in the country cannot be Muslims. These negative
activities cannot stop our peace process and living together in
a harmonious way.
Sohail Raza- youth coordinator of Minhaj-ul-Quran said,To
organize programmes are need of the time to promote
tolerance and respect among religions. The Christians are
number one in population and Muslims are on 2nd number.
Faithful of both religions can work together for promotion of
unity and understanding among themselves which is essential
for world peace.
Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap the central Coordinator of Council
for Interfaith Dialogue showed appreciation and expressed
gratitude to the guests and guaranteed the continuation of,
efforts to bring both the religions close to each other will go
on. He said, The council makes use of occasions to show
respect for other religions especially Muslims. In future the
Muslim and Christian members of the council will continue to
make efforts in their own capacity for mutual understanding
among themselves.
http://www.minhaj.org/english/tid/237/Muslim-ChristianDialogue-Forum-MCDF.html
MCDF was established on Monday, November, 9, 1998 to
promote religious tolerance between Muslims and Christians so
that they could work for the promotion of peace, human rights,
and democracy.
The forum was set up at a round-table conference, in which

Muslims and Christian religious leaders were invited by the

Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad
Tahir-ul-Qadri.
The conference, attended by noted Bishops, fathers and
Christians and Muslim religious leaders, through a unanimous
resolution demanded Joint electorate system as provided in the
constitution, prior to the 8th amendment. Saying the
Constitution already provided the supremacy of Quran and
Sunnah, the participants of the conference rejected the 15th
Amendment Bill.
The participants demanded immediate removal of sense of
insecurity among the minorities, elimination of discrimination,
provision of fundamental rights and an improvement in the
status of human rights, provided to all communities of
Pakistan.
The said positive role of Christians, in establishment of Pakistan
and its development, must be acknowledged as the sacrifices
offered by them were not less than that of Muslims. For the first
time in the countrys history a dialogue was offered from the
platform of a majority party, said Samuel Azariah, adding it was
a historic day for Pakistan and all its communities. He appealed
to all Pakistanis to eliminate discrimination in religious affairs
for the prosperity of the country. He said Christians were
Pakistanis as Muslims, and deserved equal rights as
guaranteed in the Constitution. The conference was chaired by
Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and participated by Bishop Bona
Vaneer, chairperson Bishop Conference, Hyderabad, Bishop
Samuel Robert Azariah, Moderator Bishop Church and Bishop
of Raiwind, Arthur James, Group Capt Retd Cecil Chaudhry,
Kanwal Feroze, Joseph Francis, general secretary, Pakistan
Christian Party, Shahaz Bhatti, president Christian Liberation
Front, Yunis Rahi Peter Jacob, Father James Channan of
Rawalpindi, John Samuel of Diocese Church Faisalabad, Dr.
George William, Administrator UCH, Edgar B Ram, Ms Mona
Lisa, Rozina Warne, Samson Joseph, and Rega Francis.

An exiting and exhilarating Merry Christmas ceremony was

held at Central Secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran International
Lahore today on 27 Dec,2006. The Principal Officer American
Consulate Mr. Bryan. D. Hunt graced the occasion as the
special guest while Bishop of Multan, Dr Andrew Francis and
Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts were the Chief Guests.
Sahibzada Hussain Mohy ud Din Qadri member Supreme
Council MQI presided over the ceremony. Fathers, Pastors and
a large number of Christian brothers also attended the
ceremony. The ceremony was organized by the Muslim
Christian Dialogue Forum of the MQI.
Secretary General Pakistan Awami Tehreek Anwaar Akhtar
Advocate extended warm welcome to the guests and
conducted the ceremony as a compare.
The happy Christmas ceremony commenced with the
recitation from the Holy Quran and Bible followed by Na'at-eRasul (on him be peace) and Christmas song. The honorable
guests cut the Christmas Cake and lit the peace candles.
In its continued efforts to bring unity among followers of
different faiths, Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) has an
annual interfaith program at the time of Christmas at its central
headquarters in Lahore. This year again the local Christian
community was invited to celebrate Christmas at the MQI
secretariat with their Muslim friends. Another great aim of this
annual event is to show to the Christian minority of Pakistan
and the wider Christian community, the true moderate face of
Islam and to wash away misconceptions propped up by
extremists who claim to represent the true Islam.
This event took place on the 27th of December 2007. The chief
guest was Mr. Brain De Hunt, Principal officer American
Consulate Lahore. Other guests included priests Marqas Fida
and Chaman Sardar together with many other representatives

from the Christian community.

The program began by recitations from the Holy Quran and
Holy Bible. Brig. (r) Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Deputy Ameer Minhajul-Quran International, made the introductory remarks.

PPC

Description
Penalty
Uttering of any word or making any sound or
making any gesture or placing of any object 1 years
298 in the sight with the deliberate intention of imprisonment, or
wounding the religious feelings of any
fine, or both
person.
3 years
Use of derogatory remarks etc., in respect of
imprisonment, or
298A holy personages. 1980
fine, or both
(Ahmadi blasphemy law) Misuse of epithets,
3 years
descriptions and titles etc., reserved for
imprisonment and
298B certain holy personages or places, by
fine
Ahmadis. 26 April 1984
(Ahmadi blasphemy law) Aka Ordinance XX:
An Ahmadi, calling himself a Muslim, or
3 years
preaching or propagating his faith, or "in any
imprisonment and
298C manner whatsoever" outraging the religious
fine
feelings of Muslims, or posing himself as a
Muslim. 26 April 1984
Up to 2 years
Injuring or defiling places of worship, with
295
imprisonment or
intent to insult the religion of any class
fine, or both
Deliberate and malicious acts intended to
Up to 10 years

outrage religious feelings of any class by

imprisonment, or
295A
insulting its religion or religious beliefs. 1927 fine, or both
Defiling, etc., of Quran. 1982
Imprisonment for life

295B
Mandatory Death
and fine (Feb. 1990)
Use of derogatory remarks, spoken, written,

Trial must take place

directly or indirectly, etc. defiles the name of
295C
in a Court of Session
Muhammad. 1986
with a Muslim judge
presiding.