A colourful event was arranged at the Peshawar Services Club on Saturday in connection with the celebration of Christmas to join the Christian community on this happiest occasion and also provide them an opportunity of recreation and enjoyment.
The Tourism and Culture Department in collaboration with the All Christian Volunteers had arranged the event which attracted a large number of people including children, youth, men and women alike. It may be mentioned that Christmas had not been celebrated for two consecutive years due to attacks on a church in 2013 and Army Public School in 2014 in Peshawar in which many innocent lives were lost. This time the Culture Department arranged the event to celebrate the happiest X-mass occasion in a befitting manner.
A large number of people belonging to Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities and their religious leaders attended the function to send a message of solidarity and brotherhood to the nation and the outer world. A cake was cut at the Christmas exhibition and the guests were served with delicious traditional foods and beverages. Kids play area and stalls of delicious foods and goods with unique embroidery were set up to enjoy the event.
Talking to reporters, Additional Secretary Sports, Tourism, Culture, Archaeology, Museums and Youth Affairs Department, Muhammad Tariq said that the government believed in the rights of minorities and their protection that was why different religious festivals were being organised. That included Hindu religious festival Diwali, Sikh religious festival of Baba Guru Nanak birth anniversary and now the X-mass for the Christians, he added. PTI Senator Brigadier (R) John Williams thanked the provincial government particularly the Culture Department for its endeavours to promote interfaith and religious harmony among followers of various religions. He hailed the organisers for arranging such events in the city. Later, collective prayers were offered for the progress of the country and prosperity of the nation.