KARACHI: The sweetest of dates, sherbets and sugarcane juice, with which the folks broke their fasts, could not match the sweetness of interfaith harmony that brought Christians and Muslims together at the Iftar party organised by the Rector, Principal and staff of the St Patrick’s High School here on Thursday.

The wait before Maghreb was covered with the reading of ayaat, prayers and naat. One could feel the good vibes, the friendly atmosphere, appreciation for each other as the aroma of fried samosa, rolls, pakora, chaat, haleem, sandwiches, salads and so many other snacks along with steaming Qahwa (green tea) filled the air. And to follow up, there was a scrumptious meal of pulao, qorma, barbeque, taftan bread, tandoor fresh naan and plenty of desserts including warm gulab jamun and very cold kulfi.

His eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts was there enjoying his dahi baray, His Grace Archbishop Benny Mario Travas was so full that he could only sit back and admire that plate of gulab jamun before him. Meanwhile, the Rector and Administrator of St Patrick’s High School Reverend Father Mario Rodrigues, the main host, was running around making sure everyone was comfortable and well taken care of.

While speaking on the occasion, the Archbishop of Karachi, Benny Mario Travas, said that it is a great coincidence that two years in a row both Christians and Muslims are fasting together. “It is a great time to fast together, to pray together and above all to love God by loving one another. That is possible by taking care of the poor and needy so let us spread this great news of love fellowship and above all caring for one another,” he said.

Christians, Muslims break fasts together in the holy months of both faiths

Joseph Cardinal Coutts said that coming together in the holy months of both faiths is a beautiful example of showing respect for each other, the great regard that Christians and Muslims have for each other and the belief that they can together celebrate such occasions. “This coming together on such occasions shows common faith in our one God. The God who sustains us, the God who guides us on the right paths and through the prophets teaches us how we should live and how we should help others,” he said.

Rafia Javed, additional director registration from the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions, Sindh, thanked the Christian community and the Catholic Board of Education for inviting her to such a great Iftar party. “It’s a moment of great pleasure that Christians and Muslims are presenting here the best example of interfaith harmony. For years, students of different faiths have studied in convent schools in Pakistan and they will continue to study here in the future as well without any conflict. These institutions are playing a pivotal role in promoting peace and harmony between different societies and faiths in Pakistan,” she said.

Reverend Father Mario Rodrigues said that it would have been so easy for everyone to sit back and break their fasts with their family and friends but they came to break bread together. “Today, we have proven one thing that we have all been called to live a life of fellowship, peace and harmony in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” he said.

“Our schools for over 160 years have imparted quality education without any discrimination, caste, colour or creed. Is parchum ke saye tale hum aik hain [We all stand united under the flag of Pakistan]. It was a dream of the Quaid-i-Azam that we live together as one family and one nation,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2023