Cardinal, Archbishop, Imam, diplomats, Pakistani officials and Muslims at interfaith Iftar in Karachi.
ICPH and IRF Pakistan leadership is attached to promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, religious pluralism, religious freedoms acceptance, interfaith dialogue and protect the minority rights.
KARACHI : A beautiful example of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence was witnessed at the third edition of Iftar and dinner hosted by Consul General of Italy in Karachi, DaniloGiurdanella at a local hotel Karachi. The Iftar provided a chance to share values of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance between strong friendships.
The Iftar and dinner which focused on friendships between two nations love interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence, large number of diplomats, professionals, people from different walks of life, civil society figures and representatives of the different religious communities including Islam, Parsi, Baha’i, Ismaili, DawoodiBohra, Christian, Buddhist and Sikh, at the local hotel to break the fast together. The scrumptious Iftar followed by a delicious dinner was attended and enjoyed by members of the multiple faiths.
Dignitaries present were Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, FaryalTalpur, His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Chairman (ICPH) and Co-Chair IRF Pakistan Ambassador Imam Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui, Vice Moderator Church Of Pakistan Bishop Kaleem John, Minister for Health DrAzraPechuho, Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Irrigation and Food Jam Khan Shoro, MD Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asad Iqbal Butt, Archbishop of Karachi Benny Mario Travas, St Egidio Community from Rome Irene Di Claudio, Daruloom Karachi Mufti MuhammadAshrafiUsmani, St. Joseph’s College For Women Karachi St. Joseph’s College For Women Principal Sister Dr. Elizabeth Niamat, Vice Principal SadiaRazi, Parsi Community jimmy Engineer, Guru Pundit Ram Nath, Transgender Community guru BindiyaRana, Baha’i community Dr. Farhad Al Mashraqi, Imam Qari Muhammad Irfan, ICPH and IRF Pakistan women UmmaHabiba and UmmayAtiya, Pakistan Hindu Council Chief, Krishna Lal, Pastor Mmjad Farooq, JamiaBinooria Mufti Muhammad, Pakistan Sikh Council SardarMaganSingh, former caretaker information minister Sindh Ahmed Shah and others large number of diplomats, professionals and people from different walks of life participated
The Italian Consul General welcomed the guests DaniloGiurdanella stated that the underlying idea of hosting the Iftar is to together with one another, setting aside differences that exist among individuals and to be able to find the shared humanistic values that are universal to mankind. Food is an element that brings us all together in times of joy, in times of sorrow, it provides us with an opportunity to share a meal with others on the same table irrespective of their caste, religion or culture. He said that we are more similar to one another than we think. It is only a matter of perspective, how we view this world or one another. I have said this before and I reiterate once again, only through dialogue, the Italy CG underlined the paramount importance the Italy leadership is attaching to promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, religious pluralism, acceptance and interfaith dialogue.
He said that I believe that the misconceptions about religions can be better understood in the world. We are deeply committed to the promotion of tolerance and peaceful, interfaith coexistence, in Italy, in Sindh, Baluchistan and Pakistan, and throughout the world. The Iftar and dinner demonstrated the success of solidarity, which is derived from the intrinsic value of tolerance in the Italian community and by building on mutual understanding, coexistence and respect for human dignity.
Cardinal Joseph Coutts said that by building on mutual understanding, coexistence and respect for human dignity, we can achieve many miracles, he said I look at people from different religions as flowers in a beautiful bouquet, where each flower is unique and has its own value and beauty. We are pleased to let everyone know the precious message of peace marking the holy month of Ramadan. He also said that he prayed for Pakistan for all , prosperity and peace in his country and humanity and the world.
During the Iftar dinner in his talked with media, Ambassador at Large for Global Peace & Human Rights Imam AllamaAhsan Siddiqui, Chairman of the Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony ({ICPH} and Co-Chair, International Religious Freedom Roundtable for Pakistan {IRF Pakistan} said that Ramadan is a month of togetherness, compassion and harmony. All religions preach love harmony, peace and Pakistani faith leaders are promoting dialogue through their umbrella organization: Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony and International Religious Freedom Roundtable Pakistan.
Ambassador Imam Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui said that Italy, through its many actions, is enabling the search for a brotherhood between believers of different religions that is solidly rooted in the spiritual, ethical and humanistic values which Italy represents. The Italian Consul General hosted Ramadan Iftar to promote peace and unity, he said religious leaders from the wide range of Pakistani faith groups play a crucial role in promoting peace, unity, and harmony. The Iftar provided a chance to share values of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance between people and leaders in Pakistan and Italy, as well as celebrating the two nations’ strong friendship.
The chairman ICPH said that the opportunity to highlight the extraordinary coincidence that Holi, Novroz, Easter, Ramadan, and Passover fell at the same time again this year. As Italy remains committed to promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual respect. He said that the holy festivities provide a rare and wonderful opportunity for people of Abrahamic faiths to come together and celebrate our shared values and Italy’s efforts to boost levels of mutual understanding between people of different cultural and religious backgrounds. He thanked and appreshed the Italy Consul General DaniloGiurdanella for great efforts between two nations,religious diplomacy, religious freedom,interfaith dialogue,tolerance and interfaith harmony. He also appreciated services to the Italia Karachi consulate. He said the iftar gathering is reflective of the fundamental role played by Italy’s in fostering channels of communication between various cultures. I hope the tradition will continue in Karachi for years to come,
Consul General of Italy DaniloGiurdanella highlighting the Italy’s are honored to host this Iftar and share in the values of compassion, generosity, and community. By bringing together leaders from different faiths and backgrounds, we can build bridges of understanding and create a more inclusive and peaceful society. The event is testament to Italy’s commitment to fostering greater understanding between different faith communities. The Consul General of Italy in Karachi,DaniloGiurdanella thanked the participants for taking out time during the holy month of Ramadan.
On the iftar dinner Ambassador Imam Allama Imam Ahsan Siddiqui met with the Irene Di Claudio, from the Community of Sant’Egidio, Rome -a lay Catholic association dedicated to social service – He said that the significant role played by the Sant’Egidio in strengthening human fraternity among all religions and cultures across the world. He applauded Sant’Egidio services for creating love connections, bridge builder, love, social harmony, religious harmony, tolerance, interfaith harmony, great efforts for humanity and all nations. The Sant’Egidio every time stands citing humanity. He said that the Sant’Egidio hosted a large number of nationalities, followers of various religions and world cultures as a testament to its successful efforts in this regard.
