The Christian community across the world, including Pakistan, celebrated Easter on Sunday with religious fervour and devotion.
Special prayers and ceremonies were arranged in different Churches of the country. Security arrangements were also made around Churches to prevent any untoward incident. The day started with special religious rituals, prayers and exchange of greetings with messages of goodwill and prosperity.
The Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The community attended the service and prayed for progress and prosperity of the country.
The cavernous Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem was packed with worshippers on Sunday. The site is where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in their separate messages greeted the Christians on this sacred occasion.
“The Christians as well as all minorities of Pakistan are equal citizens of the state and entitled to equal rights,” the president said.
He reiterated the commitment of democratic government of Pakistan to continue its struggle along with the Christian brethren for the rights of all minorities and deprived people and “to establish a liberal and pluralistic society in the country where all minorities are equal citizens of the state and allowed to partake in its development on an equal footing.”
The president also lauded the constructive role played by the Christian community in the development and progress of the country.” They are a law-abiding and loyal community and we are proud of their tremendous contributions to the advancement and development of the country,” he added.
The president said that the true message of Easter was one of love, joy and happiness.” Easter is a time for festivity, celebration and rejoicing. It is also a reminder to all of us of the teachings of Jesus Christ and his message of love, forgiveness and brotherhood,” he added.
He said: “We, as Muslims, deeply respect and give honour to Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah. In today’s strife and conflict ridden world, the universal message of love of Jesus Christ can bring harmony and peace in our lives.” he added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a separate message said his government was committed to safeguard the fundamental rights, safety, honour, life and property of all minority communities.
Conveying his sincere good wishes to the Christian brethren on the festivities of Easter, he said the Father of the Nation unequivocally declared the policy of equality, freedom and security for all communities in Pakistan, irrespective of their religion and ethnicity.
“This assurance is adequately enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan that grants equal rights and complete protection to all communities of Pakistan,” he added. The prime minister felicitated the Christians the world over and particularly the Christian community of Pakistan for celebrating the sacred occasion of Easter.
He said being the harbinger of joyous tidings, the Easter signifies the spirit of regaining all that is good and virtuous in human life. “This year Easter falls at a time when the need for achieving interfaith harmony in Pakistan is eagerly felt,” he said, adding: “The forces of discord are trying to create disharmony in the fabric of Pakistani society with the avowed aim to cause serious harm to it.”