Use religion for Peace: connectivity through Religious
Tourism
`We want that both India and Pakistan teams should
play cricket frequently with each other. And there should be no hindrance from
anyone,` Mr Kumar
Received
warmly by senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board@ Lhore
The Punjab has a rich experience of Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh as well as Muslim phenomenons yet since colonial times there is a history of misusing religions
and sub-religions as a powerful tool to get benefits and during the freedom
struggle both colonial and anti-colonial groups used religion as well as sub-religions
(Sects) extensively which proved fatal for our societies. But in 21st century we can use
religions for peace by making it part of culture. A good effort by ETPB and now it is up to
media especially Urdu Press and electronic channels to give this news an ample
space. We knew very well that ruling
elite throughout the world use religions, ideologies as well as literature as
par their interests but it does not mean that we reject the phenomenon due to
that misuse. Misuse of ideologies was
part of cold war and we all witnessed selective use of Socialism and Democracy
by powerful States. Does it means that we should reject socialism or democracy
as an phenomenon? We have to change our old narrative ..just think about it for
once. Read the news item Published in Dawn
LAHORE:
As many as 102 Hindu pilgrims on Saturday arrived in Lahore through Wagah
border to participate in Shivratri festival being held from March 7 at Katas
Raj temple in Chakwal district.
Received warmly by senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board headed by its chairman Siddiqul Farooq, the pilgrims were looking very enthusiastic and happy.
They said they wanted good relations between India and Pakistan.
`It`s very pleasant feeling.
We all have brought a message of peace, love and harmony,` pilgrims` leader Satesh Kumar said while talking to the media at Wagah border.
While entering Pakistan through Wagah border on foot, the pilgrims raised slogans supporting Pakistan-India friendship and sports contests.
`We want that both India and Pakistan teams should play cricket frequently with each other. And there should be no hindrance from anyone,` Mr Kumar said. He thanked the Pakistan authorities for giving them a warm welcome.
Speaking on the occasion, ETPB Chairman Siddiqu1 Farooq said the Pakistan government wanted to promote religious tourism.
`That is why we have entered into an agreement with the Walled City of Lahore Authority under which it (WCLA) will facilitate the Hindu and Sikh pilgrims in visiting dozens of historical places inside the Walled City,` he said, adding the ETPB would also take the pilgrims to various parts of the Walled City.
He assured the pilgrims of easing visa regime by taking up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Later, the ETPB brought all the pilgrims to the Dera Sahib,nearLahore Fort.
According to officials, the pilgrims will have a night stay in Lahore. `After a night stay, they will proceed for Katas Raj on Sunday (today) afternoon. On Monday (tomorrow), they will participate in the main ceremony of Shivratri festival,` ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi told Dawn. He said on March 8 the pilgrims would return to Lahore. Here, they would visit Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road, besides visiting a number of places in the Walled City. They might also visit some major markets of Lahore for shopping purposes, the spokesman added.
Received warmly by senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board headed by its chairman Siddiqul Farooq, the pilgrims were looking very enthusiastic and happy.
They said they wanted good relations between India and Pakistan.
`It`s very pleasant feeling.
We all have brought a message of peace, love and harmony,` pilgrims` leader Satesh Kumar said while talking to the media at Wagah border.
While entering Pakistan through Wagah border on foot, the pilgrims raised slogans supporting Pakistan-India friendship and sports contests.
`We want that both India and Pakistan teams should play cricket frequently with each other. And there should be no hindrance from anyone,` Mr Kumar said. He thanked the Pakistan authorities for giving them a warm welcome.
Speaking on the occasion, ETPB Chairman Siddiqu1 Farooq said the Pakistan government wanted to promote religious tourism.
`That is why we have entered into an agreement with the Walled City of Lahore Authority under which it (WCLA) will facilitate the Hindu and Sikh pilgrims in visiting dozens of historical places inside the Walled City,` he said, adding the ETPB would also take the pilgrims to various parts of the Walled City.
He assured the pilgrims of easing visa regime by taking up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Later, the ETPB brought all the pilgrims to the Dera Sahib,nearLahore Fort.
According to officials, the pilgrims will have a night stay in Lahore. `After a night stay, they will proceed for Katas Raj on Sunday (today) afternoon. On Monday (tomorrow), they will participate in the main ceremony of Shivratri festival,` ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi told Dawn. He said on March 8 the pilgrims would return to Lahore. Here, they would visit Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road, besides visiting a number of places in the Walled City. They might also visit some major markets of Lahore for shopping purposes, the spokesman added.
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