Lahore: February 12, 2019. (PCP) A Peace Rally “Together for Peace” was organized by National Commission for Inter-faith Dialogue and Ecumenism under the leadership of His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw from Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral Lahore to Ganda Singh Border, Kasur to promote peace and harmony in the world, especially between Pakistan and India. The Peace Rally is the continuance of the significant encounter of St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt 800 years ago and the recent meeting of Pope Francis and the Prince of Abu Dhabi. The efforts of these dignitaries serve a landmark for the promotion of peace.

To demonstrate and spread the message of peace practically, a prayer service was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral Lahore.  An Olive tree was also planted as a symbol of peace.  The Peace Rally “Together for Peace” set out with outlooks of peace and harmony. Both the Christians and Muslims inhabitants of Youhanabad and Kana Kacha welcomed the Peace Rally.

The Rally passed through the different places and reached at Ganda Singh Border, Kasur where a solemn prayer ceremony took place. An Olive tree was planted in Ksaur while candles were lighted with the special prayer for peace between Pakistan and India. The participants of the Peace Rally had carried out placards of the the encounter of St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt and the meeting of Pope Francis and the Prince of Abu Dhabi as an icon of the ambassadors of peace to endorse peace and harmony among the different religions of the world.

The participants of the Peace Rally recollected the Pope Francis’ message of peace and emphasized the need of peace in the world. They pledged to continue the mission of peace, harmony and solidarity in order to make the world a better place to live for all. His Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw expressed his good wishes and blessed the Peace Rally while sharing views he said that the peace may prevail on earth and this Peace Rally may become a reason for peace between Pakistan and India. He further stated that we must promote the culture of acceptance and tolerance in order to continue the mission of peace and harmony.

The participants of the Peace Rally included prominent social and religious leaders namely Rev. Fr. Francis Nadeem (General Secretary NCIDE) Rev. Inayat Bernard, Rev. James Channan, Maulana Muhammad Asim Makhdoom, Maulana Shahbaz Ahemd Farooqi, Maulana Mufti Ashiq Hussain, Dr. Badar Munir, Qari Ahmed Shakeel Siddiqui, Allama Asghar Arif Chishti, Hafiz Mian Liaqat, Mustafa Chohan, Pir S.A Jafari, Chaudhry, Maulana Younas Rahman, Maulana Muhammad Arif, Fr. John Joseph, Fr. Atif Alphonse, Fr. Waqas, Fr. Qaiser Boota, Fr. Shahzad Khokhar, Fr. Rafhan Fiaz,  Fr. Aqeel Ashiq, Fr. Naqash Azam, Fr. Faisal Francis, Fr. Lazar Aslam, Fr. Sunil Irfan Sabir,  Dr. Tufial Ajiz, Imran Ghauri,  Asif Randhawa and Raja Sarwar Asgher.