An interreligious meeting in Lahore brings Christians and Muslims together during their seasons of Lent and Ramadan to pray for an end to the border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan and renew their shared commitment to peace.
By Kielce Gussie
As ongoing conflict and violence mark daily life at the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an interreligious gathering at the “Peace Center” in Lahore, Pakistan, brought together representatives of Christian and Muslim communities at the Badshahi Mosque—the royal mosque of the city—to pray for peace.
Fr. Asif Sardar, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lahore, explained that the meeting “is intended to be a sign of peace and unity, especially amid the war between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
A shared commitment to peace
According to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, the Vicar General described the event as a “dream” as he was able to “witness interreligious harmony and peace between the two communities.” The gathering brought these Muslim and Christian leaders during the Lenten and Ramadan seasons and included an iftar, which is the meal to break the fast.
Fr. Sardar explained the event was dedicated to reaffirming the two communities’ spiritual communion and “shared commitment to peace in this difficult time marked by the war that directly affects us.” Placing a focus on fasting, prayer, and charity, he noted, means sharing bread with those who have none, promoting justice, peace, and reconciliation.
People receive free rations distributed by Crescent Relief Australia, during the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan in Khairpur District, Pakistan (ANSA)
During the meeting, Fr. James Channan, a Dominican and head of the Peace Center in Lahore, shared with the imam of the mosque, Abdul Khabir Azad, this commitment to “deepen the roots of relations between Christians and Muslims in Pakistan,” “live the shared values of fasting, reflection, and sacrifice present in both Ramadan and Lent,” and “pray for peace, raising our prayers together to God for the stability of Pakistan and the end of global conflicts.”
The Dominican priest reiterated that this interreligious meeting was a concrete example of mutual respect. “We have sent a clear message: faith can be a bridge of unity and not a wall of division”, he continued.
A clear appeal
This was not the only moment of prayer and reflection taking place recently in Pakistan. The Catholic community also led a candlelight procession and prayer vigil dedicated to peace at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Religious, parishioners of the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and other members of the community prayed the Stations of the Cross.
The Catholic community in Lahore celebrated a prayer vigil for peace (AFP or licensors)
Fr. Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap., Executive Secretary of the Social Communications Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, and Sister Azmat, Superior of the Carmelite Apostolic Sisters, led the ceremony.
Fr. Feroz stressed that the message was clear: they condemn the violence between the two countries and continue to advocate for a ceasefire through dialogue. “The extremist violence of the Taliban is a destructive ideology,” he argued, “A joint commitment from believers is needed to stop and transform it.”
Furthermore, he reminded the international community of its responsibility to help end the conflict and bring peace. He petitioned that “peace be the common goal and interest of all humanity.”
