Lahore: January 8, 2015. (By Pervez Yousaf) Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Pakistan organized Interfaith Christmas Celebration in a local hotel at Lahore. Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap was the chief organizer of this programme that was attended by a large number of believers of different religions. His Grace Sebastian Francis Shaw Archbishop of Lahore, chairman of Sahara Foundation and renowned singer of Pakistan Ibrar-ul-Haq were the chief guests on this occasion. Pir Shafaat Rasool, Mufti Syed Asihq Hussain, Allama Farooq Ahmed Saeedi, Fr. William Basharat OFM Cap, Fr. Inayat Bernard, Fr. Samson Dilawar, Fr. Henry Paul OFM Cap. Malik Tariq Javed, Anwaar-ul-Haq Khan, Dr. Robinson, Edward Qaisar, Sister Mary Nilanthi, Rev. Amjad Niamat, Pervez Yousaf, Ameer Ali, Sardar Jassi Singh, Pandit Bhagat Lal, Pervaiz Shan were among the other notable figures in this gathering. “Today’s evening is the different from the others because all of you have gathered here to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is Prince of Peace for the entire humanity.” Archbishop of Lahore Sebastian Francis Shaw said while expressing his views during this interfaith Christmas celebration. He further said that Christmas is an occasion to exchange gifts with one another and for all of us the most precious gifts is to come closer to one another.” Talking about the brutal murder of young Christian couple Shahzad & Shama along with their unborn child in Kot Radha Kishan (Distt. Kasur), merciless and inhuman killing of innocent children during a terrorists attack in Pehsawar he said “we should not forget the deceased and pray for their families that may Almighty God give them courage to bear these irreparable losses. He also expressed grief about the death of children in drought stricken area of Thar in Sindh province and urged all to help the residents of Thar and the IDPs in Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw so that they may get relief from their sufferings.” Sharing his views Ibrar-ul-Haq said “This is the platform of humanity where people belonging to different creeds are present to celebrate the joy of Christmas. This is a great demonstration of interfaith harmony that should continue.” Chairman of CFID Pir Shafaat Rasool, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, Allama Farooq Ahmed Saeedi, Pandit Bhagat Lal, Sardar Jassi Singh and Dr. Robinson also expressed their views and extended their greetings to all the Christian brethren. Earlier, Fr. Inayat Bernard in his introductory words and welcoming all the guests said, “This interfaith Christmas celebration is a part of the programmes for the promotion of interfaith and national harmony that CFID organizes from time to time. In the first part of the programme Choirs of St. Mary’s Church Gulberg headed by Noukhez Yousaf and St. Mary’s Church Model Colony headed by Sajjad Inayat sang Christmas carols while solo Christmas carols were sung by Pervaiz Shan and Sweety Pervaiz. Children of St. Anthony’s Highs School Lahore Cantt., presented beautiful Christmas tableaus under the directives of Sister Mary Nilanthi AC. In the second part renowned singers including Ameer Ali, Sardar Jassi Singh and the Chief Guest Ibrar-ul-Haq pleased all the participants by singing songs of the public choice. During the celebration all religious leaders cut the Christmas cake. Muhammad Riaz Khan, Fr. Smson Dilawar, Ms. Shbnam and Pervez Yousaf were the anchor persons of this programme of interfaith harmony and promotion of peace.