Lahore Interfaith Leaders Call for Peace and Minority Protection at St. Francis Commemoration

More than 50 religious leaders and representatives of Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, and Baha’i communities gathered in Lahore, eastern Pakistan, on October 24 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi and call for peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue, and the protection of religious minorities.

Archbishop Khalid Rehmat of Lahore presided over the gathering at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where participants emphasized the need to turn interreligious dialogue into practical efforts to build trust and social harmony.

Archbishop Rehmat highlighted the legacy of St. Francis, the 13th-century Catholic saint known for his commitment to peace and service, as a model for people of different religious traditions.

He said dialogue and mutual respect among religious communities remain essential to strengthening trust and social stability in Pakistan, a South Asian country where religious minorities include Christians, Hindus, and other faith communities.

The event was organized and hosted by Maulana Muhammad Asim Makhdoom, chairman of the Kul Masalik Ulema Board, and moderated by Fr. Naqash Azam, director of the Interfaith Commission.

Fr. Azam said St. Francis continues to serve as a symbol of peace for humanity, adding that the participation of leaders from different religious traditions reflected a shared commitment to community peacebuilding.

Maulana Makhdoom described religious tolerance as a collective responsibility across faith communities. He said cooperation among religious leaders could help reduce prejudice, strengthen national unity, and support social and economic stability.

Mufti Ashiq Hussain, head of the Baith Ul Quran Islamic seminary in Lahore, said building relationships across religious communities was both a religious and social necessity.

He called for concrete measures to counter extremism, protect minorities, and uphold the dignity of every citizen.

Pandit Bhagat Lal Khokhar, representing the Hindu community, said different faith traditions share values of love, justice, and service to humanity. He added that joint initiatives among religious groups could strengthen social harmony.

Dr. Vaheeh Mufidi, representing the Baha’i community, emphasized that respecting human dignity and shared moral values was essential to national progress.

The gathering concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to interfaith dialogue, joint peacebuilding initiatives, and the protection of religious freedom in Pakistan. A joint cake-cutting ceremony marked the commemoration.

The gathering used the legacy of St. Francis to encourage cooperation among religious communities and renew calls for a society in which people of different faiths can live together with dignity and mutual respect