Christian and Muslim leaders gathered at the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 8 during the overlapping seasons of Lent and Ramadan to pray for peace and share an iftar, the traditional meal that breaks the Muslim fast.
The interfaith gathering aimed to strengthen unity and harmony between the two communities and renew their commitment to peace in Pakistan and beyond.
The event was led by Fr. James Channan, a well known Pakistani Dominican priest, at the invitation of Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, the grand Imam of the Badshahi Mosque.
“We pray for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East and in Pakistan,” Fr. Channan said. “We pray that conflicts such as those between Israel and Iran, and between Pakistan and Afghanistan, may end soon so that people of all faiths may live together in respect and brotherhood.”
Fr. Channan also expressed solidarity with global peace appeals led by Pope Leo XIV, noting that religious leaders must work together to promote dialogue and reconciliation.
Addressing the gathering, Maulana Azad emphasized Pakistan’s tradition of coexistence among different religions.
“Pakistan is a country where people of different faiths live together with love and respect,” he said. “Our mission is to strengthen peace and interfaith harmony through dialogue and brotherhood.”
He highlighted the significance of both Ramadan and Lent as seasons of prayer, reflection, and compassion, saying the gathering was meant to set an example of unity and solidarity.
Among the Christian delegation were Fr. Pascal Paulus, Vice Provincial of the Dominican Order in Pakistan, Fr. Asif Sardar, Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lahore, Fr. Naqash Azam Director of Interfaith Relations in Lahore, Fr. Adil Ashraf OP, Fr. Yann Vagneux, and Fr. Basharat Anthony, Principal of St. Anthony’s College, Lahore.
Representatives from Protestant and Pentecostal communities also joined, including Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar, Vicar General of the Church of Pakistan, Bishop Sylvester Tahir Bhatti, Samuel Nazir, Azhar Alfred, Zubair Khan, Azmat Emmanuel, Sosheel Emanuel Khokhar, Saleem Asim, and Imran Ghauri.
Fr. Pascal Paulus said the gathering was “a powerful sign of unity, mutual respect, and brotherhood,” while Bishop Bhatti described it as proof that people of different faiths can work together for peace and the progress of Pakistan.
Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar prayed that the seasons of Ramadan and Lent would bring peace and security to the nation, while Rev. Samuel Nazir stressed that humanity is “one family united in spirit.”
Participants concluded the gathering with prayers for peace in Pakistan and around the world.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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