Catholics in Pakistan
Archdiocese of Lahore

Accept the positive values of every religion rather being negative, Archbishop Shaw

Lahore: August 12, 2017: National Commission for Inter religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Catholic Bishops’ Conference Pakistan) organized an Interfaith Youth Conference in connection with Independence Day 2017 in Lahore. The theme of this event of national integrity was “The Role of Christians in making of Pakistan”




His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM (Chairman NCIDE) was the president of the Ceremony whereas Dr. Saad S. Khan (joint Secretary National school of public policy) was the chief gust of this ceremony. The ceremony was organized under the directives of Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, Executive Secretary, NCIDE. Fr. Prof. Inayat Bernard was the main speaker of the day. Among the guests of honour on this occasion were Fr. Patrick Samuel, Fr. Jahanzeb, Fr. Adnan Kashif, Hafiz Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, , Pandit Bhagat Lal, were prominent among the guests. The program was attended by a good number of Students from different Universities of Lahore; Punjab University, The Education University, National College for Business Administration, Minhaj ul Quran University and Sheikh Zaid Islamic center. The youth groups from Capuchin Youth from Kot Lakhpat, Lahore Cantt and Gulberg were also present.

Program began with National Anthem of Pakistan. Fr. Adnan Kashif presented an introduction of the program and gave a brief idea of the objectives of NCIDE. Fr. Prof. Inayat Bernard talked about the role of Christians in building and progress of the country. During the ceremony the Children and youth presented national songs including Ehsan Ashraf, Lahore Cantt, and Gulberg youth.

In his message Hid Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw congratulated all the participants on this special day. He encouraged the young people to be proactive and accept the positive values of every religion rather being negative. Inspite of indifferences, we must go on the way of harmony and solidarity.

The students from the universities also expressed their happiness and cited the contribution of the Christian Institutions in the progress of Pakistan. They promised to be vigilant against the social evils and work hard for the betterment of our beloved homeland.

Thanking all the guests and the Youth, Fr. Francis Nadeem said, “We are all celebrating Independence Day of our country with national spirit and zeal. He quoted the sayings of father of our nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah “every citizen of this country has right to follow his/her religion without any fear”. We should live with peace and let others live with peace as well to let the vision of Quaid-e-Azam be fulfilled in its true meanings.
He encouraged the young students from the different universities that they are going to be the future leaders of the nation, they must be peace loving and peace builder so they generations to come will live in peace and harmony under the shadow of the trees sown by them.

At the end of the ceremony all the participants rose and sang along the national song while holding the flags of Pakistan in their hands.

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