Pakistan: Rawalpindi-Islamabad Diocese holds Iftar party to promote fellowship

Bishop Joseph Arshad of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Diocese in Pakistan held an Iftar party for Muslim brethren, along with other religious leaders, on March 25 in Rawalpindi.

An iftar party in Islam is a celebratory meal that Muslims eat after sunset during the holy month of Ramadan to break their daily fast. It is a time for family, friends, and community to gather and share food and fellowship. It is also a time for spiritual reflection and gratitude.

In his talk, Bishop Arshad stressed the importance of promoting peace and harmony in the Muslim-majority country.

“We all have a responsibility and duty to promote the common good and welfare of each other in society,” he said.

Kheal Das Khostani, State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony; Senator Tahir Khalil Sandhu; and Atta Ur Rehman, secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry, attended it.

In his speech, Khostani said that the government is making all efforts to work for religious harmony with everyone's cooperation.

Other religious leaders representing Sikhism and Hinduism and other distinguished individuals also took part in it. They also urged everyone to foster solidarity and fraternity among all people.

Additionally, some key political and social leaders and media representatives participated in the event.

Church leaders in Pakistan have been making strenuous efforts to promote Pakistan, where there are reports of religious persecution against religious minorities, particularly against Christians. 

Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, with a significant majority of the population (96.35%) adhering to it, followed by Hinduism (2.17%) and Christianity (1.37%).