Sargodha: The University of Sargodha observed National Minorities Day, emphasizing the rights and contributions of minority communities while underscoring the importance of religious harmony, tolerance, mutual respect, and national unity.

According to University of Sargodha, the event was organized by the Riaz Shad Co-Curricular Forum and featured speeches from Christian religious leader Father Mukhtar Alam, Chairman of the Department of Islamic Studies Prof. Dr. Feroz ud Din Shah, Director of Riaz Shad Co-Curricular Forum Dr. Muhammad Munir, and Assistant Registrar Daim Iqbal. The ceremony saw participation from students, faculty members, and staff.

Father Mukhtar Alam highlighted that all religions advocate peace, love, and humanity. He emphasized that Pakistan is home to all its citizens and noted the steadfastness of minority communities during challenging times. He stressed that tolerance, mutual respect, and religious harmony are vital for national unity.

Prof. Dr. Feroz ud Din Shah remarked that Islam advocates for equality, justice, and the protection of minority rights. He emphasized the shared lineage of all human beings and the essential responsibility of a just society to protect the lives, property, dignity, places of worship, and religious freedom of minorities.

Dr. Muhammad Munir spoke of the invaluable contributions of minority communities to Pakistan’s development. He called for equal opportunities, respect, and participation for members of minority communities in the nation’s progress.

The speakers collectively asserted that the observance of National Minorities Day serves to highlight the rights and contributions of minority communities and promote tolerance and mutual respect. They called for advancing the principles of equality, religious freedom, and tolerance as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, emphasizing that Pakistan’s progress and stability rest on the collective efforts of all its citizens.