BAHAWALPUR - On the occasion of Christmas, a local NGO Wasaeb with the collaboration of IUB Media Studies Department organised an exclusive ceremony in the honour of local Christian community here the other night.
IUB Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Mukhtar and Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister MNA Muhammad Baleeghur Rehman were the guests of honour on the occasion. Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muzamilur Rasheed Abbasi, Anjuman-e-Tajaran President Hafiz Muhammad Younis, Sadiq Public School Principal Major (R) Munir Ahmed and a number of political leaders and the members of Christian community attended the function.
IUB VC Dr Muhammad Mukhtar in his address said that the promotion of inter-religious harmony was the dire need of the hour and the university was working as a role model in this regard, where the faculty members, students and administrative staff of various faiths and beliefs were expediting academic services without any discrimination.
He further said that a student of IUB, Media Studies Department, Mahrukh Lucas had achieved distinction in an Inter-Varsity Media Production Competition of national level along with her class fellows and teachers by securing first position in three categories out of five and it was only possible due to the interfaith forbearance and harmony.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the Islam teaches us the lesson of peace and friendship and the Christian community of Bahawalpur had extended significant services in the sectors of education, health and other fields of life. The Advisor to the CM, Baleeghur Rehman, said that all minorities were enjoying the equal opportunities of development and this was a unique event that the annual fiscal budget of the province was presented by a minority minister, Kamran Michael.
BCCI President Muzamil ur Rasheed Abbasi, Faculty of Islamic Learning Dean Dr Saleem Tariq Khan and Media Studies faculty member Dr Abdul Wajid Khan extended Christmas greetings to the Christian community on the occasion. The Christians community was represented by Dominican Convent School Principal Anna Bukhshi, Father Nadeem Joseph and Father Samuel Rafael, who expressed their gratitude to the educational, social and political circles of Bahawalpur for organising this event.
Exclusive Christmas choirs and colourful tableau were presented by the children exclusively to celebrate the Christmas. Santa Claus also distributed gifts among the children.