 Christians are celebrating Christmas across the world today including for the first time from Arab countries which have no diplomatic ties with Israel, flocking to Bethlehem to celebrate the holiday in the West Bank city where Jesus Christ was born.
Meanwhile, Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik felicitated the nation on the eve of Christmas on Friday.
“Christians have no monopoly on Christ. He belongs to all whether black or white, yellow or brown, young or old, men or women,” he said in his Christmas message
issued.
He said the forces of evil and darkness could not extinguish the light that Christ had lighted in the world through His life and teachings
“Like Jesus, we all can overcome forces of evil and darkness by following His teaching,” he said.
The bishop prayed for peace in the world and prosperity and solidarity of Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari also felicitated the Christian community on this occasion.
In his message he said, “I wish to felicitate the Christians across the globe particularly our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.”
The President said, “Christmas is a time for festivity, celebration and rejoicing as well as a reminder to all of us of the message of Jesus Christ (May Allah be pleased with him) of love, forgiveness and brotherhood among the people.”
“We Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah whose universal message of love for mankind holds great promise of peace and harmony in a world beset with strife, violence and militancy,” he added.
The President said, “The Christians living in Pakistan are a law abiding and loyal community and we are proud of their tremendous contributions to the advancement and development of the country.”
“On this auspicious occasion I also wish to reiterate the commitment of the democratic Pakistan People’s Party to continue to fight along with our Christian brothers and sisters for the rights of all minorities and deprived people in the country for establishing a liberal and pluralistic society in Pakistan,” he added.
The President said, “together we will struggle for establishing in Pakistan a society in which every citizen is allowed to participate freely in the social, political and economic development of the country irrespective of his cast, creed and colour.”
“Let me also reiterate on this occasion our pledge that the PPP will continue to uphold the right of the Christians, indeed of all minorities, to be treated as equal citizens of the state and allowed to partake in its development on an equal footing,” the President said. |
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