Ashrafi inaugurates 50th-anniversary celebrations of St. John’s Church
Islam believes in love and affection, not in oppression, the rights of minorities in Pakistan are being protected at every individual level, says Ashrafi.
Special Aide to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and the Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi inaugurated the 50th-anniversary celebrations of St. John’s Church in Lahore.
On occasion, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, also Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman, said this inauguration was a great example of religious tolerance and harmony in Pakistan.
Religious tolerance and interfaith harmony do not mean changing one’s beliefs and ideologies. Ashrafi said that people of different religious beliefs and sects live in Pakistan, and the non-imposition of one’s religious religions and denominations on others was named religious tolerance.
Islam believed in love and affection, not in oppression, and the rights of minorities in Pakistan were being protected at every individual level, said Ashrafi.
He also stated that the world should take action on atrocities against minorities in India instead of Pakistan.
Ashrafi, Pastor Emanuel Khokhar, Sohail Raza, Pastor Saleem, Maulana Aslam Siddiqui, Maulana Abdul Qayyum Farooqi and others, said that Pakistan came into being through the joint struggle of people of all religions and religious sects.
The purpose and primary objective of the establishment of Pakistan was to protect the rights of the minorities, said Ashrafi adding that commandments and instructions that Islam has given to protect the rights of minorities were clear and enlightening.
Ashrafi said that if someone conveys greetings on the birth of Hazrat Eesa (A.S), it does not make an end to his belief.
The beliefs of the Muslims and Christians regarding Hazrat Eesa (A.S) were apparent. The motives of those who wanted to incite prejudice and hatred would not be fulfilled, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.
