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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab to celebrates Minority week from August 7
Listen to article The first-ever Minority Week is expected to commence from August 7 to 11 in Punjab. The five-day celebration aims to honour the contributions of religious minorities to Pakistan's social and national fabric while promoting interfaith harmony and national unity. The events are also designed to highlight the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, a campaign promoting peace and stability. According to the Punjab Department of Minority Affairs, Minority Week represents a concrete effort to promote religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and national cohesion by fostering meaningful engagement between followers of different faiths. The inaugural ceremony will be held on August 7 at the historic Cathedral Church of Pakistan at Regal Chowk, Lahore. A colourful procession aboard double-decker buses will travel through key religious and cultural landmarks, including Krishna Mandir, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Badshahi Mosque, and the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, culminating at Minar-e-Pakistan. A tree plantation campaign will also be launched during the opening event. A diverse range of participants, including foreign diplomats, civil society members, representatives of welfare organisations, students, teachers, religious leaders, and members of various minority communities, are expected to take part in the festivities. According to the official schedule, August 8 will feature an academic session at a leading university focusing on minority rights and their social contributions. On August 9, a seminar on interfaith harmony will be held at Alhamra Hall, Lahore, featuring notable religious scholars, civil society representatives, students, and researchers. The Sports Board Punjab will host a Sports Day on August 10, bringing together youth from minority communities for various traditional and competitive games. The celebrations will conclude on August 11 with a closing ceremony at Aiwan-e-Iqbal in connection with National Minorities Day. The final event will be attended by Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, foreign dignitaries, senior government officials, religious leaders, and students and faculty from prominent educational institutions.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minority Week to begin tomorrow
Celebrations of the Minority Week will begin in Punjab on Thursday with a double-decker bus convoy starting from the Cathedral Church of Pakistan at Regal Chowk. Provincial Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said while chairing a meeting that the week would be celebrated across Punjab from August 7 to 11. The opening ceremony will also feature a plantation campaign aimed at promoting environmental awareness. The convoy will visit religious and cultural landmarks, including Krishna Mandir, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Badshahi Mosque and Iqbal's Mausoleum, before culminating at Minar-e-Pakistan, where a grand interfaith celebration will be organised.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Over 200 gurdwaras in UK form alliance to provide collective voice to reset relations with govt
Representative image TOI Correspondent from London: A govt minister from Pakistan travelled to London for the launch of the first ever UK Gurdwara Alliance, set up to improve relations between gurdwaras and the UK govt. The Alliance, a UK-wide gurdwara body providing a collective voice for over 200 UK gurdwaras, was launched in a UK Parliament committee room this week at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs. Ramesh Singh Arora, Pakistan Punjab minister for minority affairs, who travelled to London for the event, described the alliance as an 'excellent initiative.' 'Having a collective voice is extremely powerful and will be helpful for not only UK govt engagement but will improve links between gurdwara bodies across the globe,' Arora said. The alliance will liaise with the Akal Takht and institutions like the SGPC in Amritsar and PSGPC in Pakistan. It will issue statements, call meetings and support Sikh community campaigns. Twenty-five leading gurdwaras across 12 regions will be responsible for consulting with and coordinating all gurdwaras in their region. They will focus on issues that impact the running of gurdwaras and also engage with the UK govt on matters concerning gurdwaras, the Sangat and faith-related issues. One of the alliance's first actions after its launch was to call on the Charity Commission to 'understand and work differently with gurdwaras.' Gurdwaras in Britain have to register with the Charity Commission if their income exceeds £5,000 (Rs 5 lakh) per year. Kuldeep Singh Deol, former president of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick, said: 'The Charity Commission's current approach to gurdwaras is outdated and out of step with the growing challenges these institutions face. It continues to rely on advice from individuals who lack the necessary understanding and experience of how gurdwaras operate.' He said gurdwaras up and down the country at the local level are recognised by the authorities as key Sikh institutions with a massive reach to the community. 'The UK Gurdwara Alliance has been established at the national level to address a disconnect that exists between central govt and gurdwaras,' he said. 'The UK govt must make a step change in the way it engages with the Sikh community,' said Gurpreet Singh Anand, president at Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) London.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Hum Sab Pakistan': LCCI holds interfaith moot to express unity
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday organised 'Hum Sab Pakistan' Interfaith Conference to express national unity and interfaith solidarity. Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, former LCCI president Muhammad Ali Mian, former vice president Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, senior political figures including Liaqat Baloch, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Chairman of LCCI Standing Committee on Interfaith Harmony Sardar Bishan Singh Bedi and religious scholars spoke on the occasion. Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora said that holding such interfaith events is a need of the hour. He said that Pakistan is a country for all its citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity. The efforts of the Lahore Chamber in advancing the cause of interfaith dialogue and harmony are truly commendable. It is time for all segments of society to unite and play a proactive role in building an atmosphere of respect, equality and peace. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to promote interfaith harmony and will continue to lead initiatives that bring different communities together under the banner of peace and patriotism. He said that we salute the armed forces of Pakistan for their unmatched sacrifices in protecting our beloved homeland. At the same time, we also recognise and deeply value the contributions of religious minorities in the nation's development. Their role in the country's progress, democracy and social fabric is nothing short of remarkable. He said that a strong economy cannot be built in isolation from a strong and cohesive society and that both are essential for long-term national stability. LCCI Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman stressed the need for unity. He said that we may belong to different faiths but we are united by one identity, Pakistan. Our purpose must be collective progress, national strength and peace for all. He said that mutual understanding and respect are the building blocks of a just and prosperous society. Former LCCI president Muhammad Ali Mian urged all segments of society to come together to build a stronger and more peaceful Pakistan. He said religious harmony is a necessity for national development. We must all work together to ensure that our future generations inherit a tolerant and united country. Chairman of the Standing Committee on Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Bishan Singh Bedi, praised LCCI's leadership for taking tangible steps to bring people of different faiths together. He highlighted how economic growth, communal peace and religious coexistence are interlinked and should be pursued together. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Church hosts interfaith Eid Milan party
An interfaith Eid Milan Party was hosted at the Naulakha Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, aiming to promote harmony, mutual respect and understanding among religious communities. The event was hosted by Reverend Dr Majid Abel, with Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora as the chief guest. The gathering brought together religious scholars and leaders from various communities, social organisations, and government representatives. Reverend Abel emphasised that the Naulakha Presbyterian Church has always stood for love, tolerance and mutual respect among all religions. He urged the society to collectively work towards a future free from discrimination based on colour, race or religion. In his address, Minister Ramesh Singh Arora reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to interfaith peace and harmony. "We are committed to ensuring that people of all faiths feel safe, respected and valued," he added. The speakers highlighted the importance of unity, religious tolerance and mutual respect. They also paid tribute to the Pakistan Army's successful execution of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, recognising its role in securing peace and national integrity.
