Peshawar: Christian revered festival Pentecost was organised fort the community by the Department of Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was attended by a large number of minority communities including women and children. The Chief Guest of the function was Mr. Wazirzada, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Minority Affairs, Minority MPAs Ravi Kumar, Wilson Wazir and Ranjit Singh also attended the function. The highlight of the event was the special participation of Muslim scholars and the Chief Khatib of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi.
The ceremony began with a recitation after which the national anthem was sung and in respect of which all the participants stood. Various Bishops and Pastors from the Christian community spoke at the event, highlighting the historical significance of Eid Pentecost and thanking the provincial government. A variety of Christian prayer sessions were held on the occasion of Pentecost Eid. National songs and school children performed beautiful Tablo’s during the ceremony.
Addressing the participants of the function, Chief Khatib said that holding such events was essential for inter-religious harmony so that extremism could be reduced by bridging the gaps between different religions and meaningful dialogue could be initiated between the religions. During their speeches, various MPAs from the participants of the event welcomed the organisation of such events by the provincial government and expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the provincial government for the minorities. At the end of the function, the Chief Guest, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, Wazirzada, while addressing the participants, elaborated on the steps taken by the provincial government for the minorities and expressed the commitment of the government to give all the legitimate rights to the minorities.
The way provincial government has increased the quota for minorities has released various dues for them, and special funds have been released for the minorities residing in the newly amalgamated districts to alleviate the feeling of deprivation of minorities for decades. By bringing them into the national mainstream, the dream of real development in the country can be fulfilled. Shields were distributed among the participants at the end of the ceremony.
