Pakistan's Minorities Citizens
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Arsala.nKhan
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Wawo nice celebrations!
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Christmas in Karachi: Who needs reindeer if you have camels?
Preparations for Christmas festivities are at their peak in Karachi, with revelers decorating Christmas trees and churches all over the city for the occasion.
In a lead-up to the upcoming festival, children and adults from the Christian community joined a Christmas rally at Karachi's Shahrah-i-Faisal on Dec 21.
Members of Karachi's Christian community ride camels at a rally held in connection with Christmas. — Online
A camel cart carries children during the rally. — PPI
Women dance on the street during the Christmas rally. — Online
A man wearing a festive mask at the rally. — PPI
Children wave, piled in a pick-up van at the rally. — Online
People wearing Santa hats ride camels during the rally. — PPI
Women in Christmas tree costumes sing carols on the street during the rally.
Preparations for Christmas festivities are at their peak in Karachi, with revelers decorating Christmas trees and churches all over the city for the occasion.
In a lead-up to the upcoming festival, children and adults from the Christian community joined a Christmas rally at Karachi's Shahrah-i-Faisal on Dec 21.
Members of Karachi's Christian community ride camels at a rally held in connection with Christmas. — Online
A camel cart carries children during the rally. — PPI
Women dance on the street during the Christmas rally. — Online
A man wearing a festive mask at the rally. — PPI
Children wave, piled in a pick-up van at the rally. — Online
People wearing Santa hats ride camels during the rally. — PPI
Women in Christmas tree costumes sing carols on the street during the rally.
ghazi52
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In pictures: All aboard the Christmas train!
Minister for Railways Khuwaja Saad Rafique on Thursday inaugurated a special purpose 'Xmas Peace Train' ahead of Christmas festivities in the country.
The minister, while addressing the inauguration ceremony, hailed the role of minority groups, especially Christians, in the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
"The white colour of our national flag denotes minority groups, and it is incomplete without them," he said, adding that this train would serve as a symbol of unity, tranquility and harmony wherever it would go.
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Federal Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael inaugurating Christmas train at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.─APP
People take pictures with reindeer chariot with Santa Claus during inauguration of Christmas train at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.─Online photo by Waseem Khan
Woman seen inside Christmas train after its inauguration at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.
Minister for Railways Khuwaja Saad Rafique on Thursday inaugurated a special purpose 'Xmas Peace Train' ahead of Christmas festivities in the country.
The minister, while addressing the inauguration ceremony, hailed the role of minority groups, especially Christians, in the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
"The white colour of our national flag denotes minority groups, and it is incomplete without them," he said, adding that this train would serve as a symbol of unity, tranquility and harmony wherever it would go.
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
People viewing the first ever special Christmas train decorated with models of Santa Claus and other Christmas objects to mark the Christmas celebrations at railway station.─APP
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Federal Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael inaugurating Christmas train at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.─APP
People take pictures with reindeer chariot with Santa Claus during inauguration of Christmas train at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.─Online photo by Waseem Khan
Woman seen inside Christmas train after its inauguration at Islamabad Railway Station ahead of Xmas.
ghazi52
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Christians celebrate Christmas across Pakistan
Members of the Christian community will attend special services at illuminated churches where prayers will also be offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Residential colonies were decorated with twinkling lights and stars, and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons bedecked trees, streets, houses and churches. Wreaths were hung outside stores buzzing with last-minute shopping on Christmas eve.
Ahead of Christmas this year, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique also inaugurated a special Christmas Train which travelled across the country spreading Christmas cheer. The Xmas Peace Train that left Peshawar on Dec 22 will reach Karachi on Dec 31.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered there to be zero loadshedding today in the country.
President Mamnoon Hussain and PM Nawaz extended their heartiest felicitations on the occasion and wished Christians in Pakistan and all over the world a merry Christmas.
The government is striving to promote interfaith harmony discourage religious discrimination, they said.
Christians attend midnight service at Saint Anthony's church on Christmas eve in Lahore. ─AP
Christians visit a grave of their family member at a graveyard ahead of Christmas in Karachi. ─AP
People pray as they gather for a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi.
People walk past an artificial decoration wreath hanging outside a shop selling various items for Christmas celebrations in Karachi. ─Reuters
A Santa Claus decoration sticker hangs on a stall where women go through various items to buy for Christmas celebrations in Karachi. ─Reuters
Pakistani children decorate a Christmas tree at the St John's Cathedral Church in Peshawar. ─AFP
People pray as they gather for a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi. ─Reuters
A member of church holds a cross as he walks past people pray during a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi
Members of the Christian community will attend special services at illuminated churches where prayers will also be offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Residential colonies were decorated with twinkling lights and stars, and baubles such as bells, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons bedecked trees, streets, houses and churches. Wreaths were hung outside stores buzzing with last-minute shopping on Christmas eve.
Ahead of Christmas this year, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique also inaugurated a special Christmas Train which travelled across the country spreading Christmas cheer. The Xmas Peace Train that left Peshawar on Dec 22 will reach Karachi on Dec 31.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered there to be zero loadshedding today in the country.
President Mamnoon Hussain and PM Nawaz extended their heartiest felicitations on the occasion and wished Christians in Pakistan and all over the world a merry Christmas.
The government is striving to promote interfaith harmony discourage religious discrimination, they said.
Christians attend midnight service at Saint Anthony's church on Christmas eve in Lahore. ─AP
Christians visit a grave of their family member at a graveyard ahead of Christmas in Karachi. ─AP
People pray as they gather for a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi.
People walk past an artificial decoration wreath hanging outside a shop selling various items for Christmas celebrations in Karachi. ─Reuters
A Santa Claus decoration sticker hangs on a stall where women go through various items to buy for Christmas celebrations in Karachi. ─Reuters
Pakistani children decorate a Christmas tree at the St John's Cathedral Church in Peshawar. ─AFP
People pray as they gather for a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi. ─Reuters
A member of church holds a cross as he walks past people pray during a ceremony on Christmas eve at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi
ghazi52
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Very few with Parsi ID. Only one in Afghanistan.
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either assimilated or emmigrated in pak. the lone jew in afghanistan is a bukharan jew, not native to afghanistan. remanants of the muslim/persian empires. neither are the jews in india or pak native (or whatever is left of them). economic or colonial migrants during the time of the british. some indian jews consider themselves to be natives/original tribesmen.
ghazi52
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Are there Jews in Pakistan ?
Very few Pakistanis know about the Jewish community living here, it would be surprising for most of us to know that Jews are also part of Pakistan,s minorities. It is generally believed that mostly Jews had migrated to Israel when Pakistan came into being, also in 1970 they were offered immigration by America, which is when most of them left. At the time of Pakistan,s independence in 1947, there were thriving Jewish communities in Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and Lahore. Most of the Pakistani Jews belonged to India’s Bene Israel community while some had trickled in from Afghanistan.
In 1941, a government census recorded 1,199 Jews nationwide, a local leader Abraham Reuben also became the first Jew to be elected to Karachi’s city council. Karachi is believed to have been where most of the Pakistani Jews were based, some historical buildings have belonged to Jews. There were gardens near the Arts Council building today, that were named after a Jewish lady. In 1988, the Magen Shalom synagogue in Karachi was razed to make way for a shopping mall, at that time it was said that only a handful of Jews were present to object.
In the 80,s decade, there was a Star Gate near the Karachi Airport with a huge six-pointed Jewish star on top, this does indicate some Jewish influence somewhere. There is a Star of David on Mereweather Tower as well, today this symbol also belongs to the Illuminati. The six pointed star can be seen in the ceilings, wall paneling or in the wrought iron of gates of some of Karachi,s best buildings even today.
The Star of David symbol is also found in most window panes and stained glass in buildings built upto 80 yrs ago in Rawalpindi and Peshawar eg Islamia College Peshawar built in 1913.
There is some speculation about the Jews of Peshawar, after the Soviet revolution in 1907 the Jews of Central Asian states migrated to Peshawar and settled in the famous Gorgatry building. Even now some of these families are doing business in Central Asia.
Rachel Joseph, the last custodian of the Jewish graveyard in Mevashah, fiercely protected her privacy and avoided exposure.
This was all she divulged on record about Jews living in Karachi.
“A lot of people used to come in the ‘50s, wearing black suits, hats and with beards. There were quite a few Jews here but after General Ayub many left for London.
A few come here even now but they are in Sindhi-Muslim, Khoja or Memon families. They married Muslims or went undercover as Parsis because they fear for their lives. There are about 10 Jewish families in all, scattered in areas like Ramaswamy, Soldier Bazaar, Ranchore Lines.”
According to some, there may be as many as 70 Jewish families residing in Karachi, In the last general elections in Pakistan, it is said a Jewish community leader fought the Local Bodies Election in 2008 and narrowly lost. Jews might be living here and hiding their religious identity as it may not be possible for them to move to Israel due to absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
I came across this interesting story from a blog named Point of No Return, a comment there posted by a Jewish man leaks how the Jewish wife of the Australian Consul-General posted in Pakistan smuggled out some members of the Jewish community in the 1970s.
She is believed to have hidden them in the trunk of her car every time she crossed the border, at that point in time only diplomats were not checked at the border. It is said that she would travel to the Karachi synagogue in her diplomatic Mercedes-Benz with its licence plates covered and no Australian flag flying.
She had got in touch with Karachi Jews through the then Chief of Police, a Christian, he had also provided her with their addresses. It is unclear why she had to smuggle Jews out as there has never been any restriction on any minorities leaving or returning to Pakistan. Most probably, the real reason was that some rich Jews had been masquerading as Muslims and wanted to escape the life of duplicity.
It is thought that even now several high-profile business people claiming to be Parsis or Muslims are in fact Jews. The blog Point of No Return was contacted by such an individual, saying his family is living in the UAE and masquerades as Parsi.
http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2005/09/surprise-there-are-still-jews-in.html?m=1
The same blog mentions that General Musharraf became the first leader of Pakistan to recognise the Jews of Karachi on his trip to New York City.
Most people dont even know that Jews exist as a minority in Pakistan, yet according to the 2013 electoral list there are Jewish voters here, these are the ones declared, many possibly pretend to be Christians or Parsis.
According to official statistics available with Dawn, there are 2.77 million non-Muslim voters in the country, and 13 districts in Sindh and two in Punjab have significant presence of these voters. Among 2.77m non-Muslim voters, 1.40m are Hindus, 1.23m Christians, 115,966 Ahmadis, 5,934 Sikhs, 3,650 Parsis, 1,452 Buddhists and 809 Jews.
So 809 Jews have their names on the voters list, many other Jews might be camouflaged as Parsis etc, Jewish minorities might be a few thousands not hundreds.
The 2003 census showed none of the government employees declared themselves as Jews, though 10 had done so in a previous census three years earlier. “Whatever happened to the 10 Jewish civil servants?” read the headline in The News Pakistan’s biggest-selling English newspaper.
‘The real news was that there were still many Jews living in Pakistan , given Pakistan’s relations with Israel and Zionism they chose to fade away into the background.
Even a former minister for religious minorities was taken aback that there were Jews in the country.’
Recently, Fishel Benkhald has been in the news as Pakistan’s last self-declared Jew leading a campaign to restore Karachi’s Jewish cemetery.
He is not the last Jewish Pakistani, just one that has chosen to come out of the shadows.
By: Sabena Siddiqi
Very few Pakistanis know about the Jewish community living here, it would be surprising for most of us to know that Jews are also part of Pakistan,s minorities. It is generally believed that mostly Jews had migrated to Israel when Pakistan came into being, also in 1970 they were offered immigration by America, which is when most of them left. At the time of Pakistan,s independence in 1947, there were thriving Jewish communities in Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and Lahore. Most of the Pakistani Jews belonged to India’s Bene Israel community while some had trickled in from Afghanistan.
In 1941, a government census recorded 1,199 Jews nationwide, a local leader Abraham Reuben also became the first Jew to be elected to Karachi’s city council. Karachi is believed to have been where most of the Pakistani Jews were based, some historical buildings have belonged to Jews. There were gardens near the Arts Council building today, that were named after a Jewish lady. In 1988, the Magen Shalom synagogue in Karachi was razed to make way for a shopping mall, at that time it was said that only a handful of Jews were present to object.
In the 80,s decade, there was a Star Gate near the Karachi Airport with a huge six-pointed Jewish star on top, this does indicate some Jewish influence somewhere. There is a Star of David on Mereweather Tower as well, today this symbol also belongs to the Illuminati. The six pointed star can be seen in the ceilings, wall paneling or in the wrought iron of gates of some of Karachi,s best buildings even today.
The Star of David symbol is also found in most window panes and stained glass in buildings built upto 80 yrs ago in Rawalpindi and Peshawar eg Islamia College Peshawar built in 1913.
There is some speculation about the Jews of Peshawar, after the Soviet revolution in 1907 the Jews of Central Asian states migrated to Peshawar and settled in the famous Gorgatry building. Even now some of these families are doing business in Central Asia.
Rachel Joseph, the last custodian of the Jewish graveyard in Mevashah, fiercely protected her privacy and avoided exposure.
This was all she divulged on record about Jews living in Karachi.
“A lot of people used to come in the ‘50s, wearing black suits, hats and with beards. There were quite a few Jews here but after General Ayub many left for London.
A few come here even now but they are in Sindhi-Muslim, Khoja or Memon families. They married Muslims or went undercover as Parsis because they fear for their lives. There are about 10 Jewish families in all, scattered in areas like Ramaswamy, Soldier Bazaar, Ranchore Lines.”
According to some, there may be as many as 70 Jewish families residing in Karachi, In the last general elections in Pakistan, it is said a Jewish community leader fought the Local Bodies Election in 2008 and narrowly lost. Jews might be living here and hiding their religious identity as it may not be possible for them to move to Israel due to absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
I came across this interesting story from a blog named Point of No Return, a comment there posted by a Jewish man leaks how the Jewish wife of the Australian Consul-General posted in Pakistan smuggled out some members of the Jewish community in the 1970s.
She is believed to have hidden them in the trunk of her car every time she crossed the border, at that point in time only diplomats were not checked at the border. It is said that she would travel to the Karachi synagogue in her diplomatic Mercedes-Benz with its licence plates covered and no Australian flag flying.
She had got in touch with Karachi Jews through the then Chief of Police, a Christian, he had also provided her with their addresses. It is unclear why she had to smuggle Jews out as there has never been any restriction on any minorities leaving or returning to Pakistan. Most probably, the real reason was that some rich Jews had been masquerading as Muslims and wanted to escape the life of duplicity.
It is thought that even now several high-profile business people claiming to be Parsis or Muslims are in fact Jews. The blog Point of No Return was contacted by such an individual, saying his family is living in the UAE and masquerades as Parsi.
http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2005/09/surprise-there-are-still-jews-in.html?m=1
The same blog mentions that General Musharraf became the first leader of Pakistan to recognise the Jews of Karachi on his trip to New York City.
Most people dont even know that Jews exist as a minority in Pakistan, yet according to the 2013 electoral list there are Jewish voters here, these are the ones declared, many possibly pretend to be Christians or Parsis.
According to official statistics available with Dawn, there are 2.77 million non-Muslim voters in the country, and 13 districts in Sindh and two in Punjab have significant presence of these voters. Among 2.77m non-Muslim voters, 1.40m are Hindus, 1.23m Christians, 115,966 Ahmadis, 5,934 Sikhs, 3,650 Parsis, 1,452 Buddhists and 809 Jews.
So 809 Jews have their names on the voters list, many other Jews might be camouflaged as Parsis etc, Jewish minorities might be a few thousands not hundreds.
The 2003 census showed none of the government employees declared themselves as Jews, though 10 had done so in a previous census three years earlier. “Whatever happened to the 10 Jewish civil servants?” read the headline in The News Pakistan’s biggest-selling English newspaper.
‘The real news was that there were still many Jews living in Pakistan , given Pakistan’s relations with Israel and Zionism they chose to fade away into the background.
Even a former minister for religious minorities was taken aback that there were Jews in the country.’
Recently, Fishel Benkhald has been in the news as Pakistan’s last self-declared Jew leading a campaign to restore Karachi’s Jewish cemetery.
He is not the last Jewish Pakistani, just one that has chosen to come out of the shadows.
By: Sabena Siddiqi
Arsala.nKhan
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Merry Christmas 
ghazi52
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Christmas celebrated in settled, tribal areas in K-P
PESHAWAR: Christians in the settled and tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa celebrated Christmas on Sunday amid tight security.
In Peshawar, all churches and cathedrals as well as All Saints Church in the Kohati area were decorated and well-illuminated since Saturday and religious services continued till late night.
Hundreds of families visited churches for the morning service on Sunday after which they exchanged greetings and headed home.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police made special security arrangements at all churches. Worshippers were thoroughly searched before being allowed to enter churches.
FC personnel were also deployed for maintaining peace on the occasion. Security personnel were deployed on rooftops of churches.
The annual Christmas fair in Kohati area has remained suspended for several years because of bad security situation, but a small fair was arranged at Edwards’ school this year. Father Patrick Naeem Johnson of the All Saints’ Church, targeted by militants in September 2013, said: “We have certainly not forgotten those who have lost their lives in the attack on All Saints Church,” Johnson said.
The reminder saddened the people who were in attendance of church service.
He said that special prayers were offered by the community.
Special prayers were also offered for the progress, peace and development of the country.
Besides sermons, the devotees also lighted candles and sang hymns.
“We fully cooperated with security officials and are thankful for the services they provided,” said Johnson.
“Christmas is more than just an exchange of gifts and good wishes,” said Vicky Bhatti.
According to him, this was an opportunity for exchanging love, harmony and respect for others.
Bhatti said that Christians of the Peshawar lacked such entertainment facilities.
Shabqadar
Christmas was also observed in FATA. In Ghallanai, the headquarters of the Mohmand Agency, Catholics and Protestants observed their Christmas prayers and prayed for peace in FATA.
APA upper Mohmand Haseebur Rehman Khalil and Lt-Col Muhamad Omair also participated in the Christmas programmes.
The political administration also prepared Christmas meal.
Stressing the need for separate churches for Catholics and Protestants, he said that people in FATA were peace-loving, adding that even during the worst of rights violations across the world, no Christian was ever murdered in FATA, demonstrating the attitude of people in FATA towards Christians and other minority groups.
APA Haseebur Rehman announced granting two-kanal piece of land for a Christian graveyard in the Mohmand Agency.
He said that there was no discrimination towards any minority group in the tribal areas.
Quetta
The Christian community also celebrated Christmas with religious zeal and fervour here.
Special security measures were made by the district administration to protect churches.
Personnel of FC, police and Balochistan Constabulary were deployed at all main churches.
Churches across Balochistan were beautifully decorated and the Christian community prayed for the country’s stability, development and prosperity.
PESHAWAR: Christians in the settled and tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa celebrated Christmas on Sunday amid tight security.
In Peshawar, all churches and cathedrals as well as All Saints Church in the Kohati area were decorated and well-illuminated since Saturday and religious services continued till late night.
Hundreds of families visited churches for the morning service on Sunday after which they exchanged greetings and headed home.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police made special security arrangements at all churches. Worshippers were thoroughly searched before being allowed to enter churches.
FC personnel were also deployed for maintaining peace on the occasion. Security personnel were deployed on rooftops of churches.
The annual Christmas fair in Kohati area has remained suspended for several years because of bad security situation, but a small fair was arranged at Edwards’ school this year. Father Patrick Naeem Johnson of the All Saints’ Church, targeted by militants in September 2013, said: “We have certainly not forgotten those who have lost their lives in the attack on All Saints Church,” Johnson said.
The reminder saddened the people who were in attendance of church service.
He said that special prayers were offered by the community.
Special prayers were also offered for the progress, peace and development of the country.
Besides sermons, the devotees also lighted candles and sang hymns.
“We fully cooperated with security officials and are thankful for the services they provided,” said Johnson.
“Christmas is more than just an exchange of gifts and good wishes,” said Vicky Bhatti.
According to him, this was an opportunity for exchanging love, harmony and respect for others.
Bhatti said that Christians of the Peshawar lacked such entertainment facilities.
Shabqadar
Christmas was also observed in FATA. In Ghallanai, the headquarters of the Mohmand Agency, Catholics and Protestants observed their Christmas prayers and prayed for peace in FATA.
APA upper Mohmand Haseebur Rehman Khalil and Lt-Col Muhamad Omair also participated in the Christmas programmes.
The political administration also prepared Christmas meal.
Stressing the need for separate churches for Catholics and Protestants, he said that people in FATA were peace-loving, adding that even during the worst of rights violations across the world, no Christian was ever murdered in FATA, demonstrating the attitude of people in FATA towards Christians and other minority groups.
APA Haseebur Rehman announced granting two-kanal piece of land for a Christian graveyard in the Mohmand Agency.
He said that there was no discrimination towards any minority group in the tribal areas.
Quetta
The Christian community also celebrated Christmas with religious zeal and fervour here.
Special security measures were made by the district administration to protect churches.
Personnel of FC, police and Balochistan Constabulary were deployed at all main churches.
Churches across Balochistan were beautifully decorated and the Christian community prayed for the country’s stability, development and prosperity.
Arsala.nKhan
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Minorities should get all opportunities to follow their practices as free man in Pakistan
ghazi52
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'Proud to be Pakistani Hindu today': Senate body approves Hindu marriage bill
In what appears to be a New Year's gift for Hindu minorities in Pakistan, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights unanimously approved the much-awaited Hindu Marriages Bill on Monday.
Earlier in September, the National Assembly had passed the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016, thus paving the way for the adoption of a comprehensive and widely-acceptable family law for Hindus living in Pakistan.
The bill will enable the Hindu community to get their marriages registered and to appeal in courts of law in cases of separation.
There are penalties for violating the provisions of the bill, which allows Hindus to finally have a proof of marriage document called the shadiparat, similar to the nikahnama for Muslims.
The bill also allows separated Hindu persons to remarry. Clause 17 of the bill states that a Hindu widow "shall have the right to re-marry of her own will and consent after the death of her husband provided a period of six months has lapsed after the husband’s death".
The Senate committee under the chair of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Nasreen Jalil took up the bill for discussion.
Soon after the bill was approved, the committee room 4 in Parliament House echoed with jubilation as senators and officials of different ministries started thumping their desks.
Minority member in National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani called the move a new year's gift for Hindus living in Pakistan.
"Today, we are proud to be Hindu Pakistanis after the approval of the bill. Hindus will now be able to get registered their marriages and also apply for divorce under family laws," he said.
Top constitutional expert Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said the bill is in accordance with the essence of the Constitution.
Ahsan clarified that the bill was not in contrast with Islamic jurisprudence as Islam emphasises protection of minorities.
A Pakistani Hindu couple performs a Hindu ritual during a mass wedding ceremony in Karachi
I
A Pakistani Hindu couple during a marriage ceremony. -AFP/File
In what appears to be a New Year's gift for Hindu minorities in Pakistan, the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights unanimously approved the much-awaited Hindu Marriages Bill on Monday.
Earlier in September, the National Assembly had passed the Hindu Marriage Bill 2016, thus paving the way for the adoption of a comprehensive and widely-acceptable family law for Hindus living in Pakistan.
The bill will enable the Hindu community to get their marriages registered and to appeal in courts of law in cases of separation.
There are penalties for violating the provisions of the bill, which allows Hindus to finally have a proof of marriage document called the shadiparat, similar to the nikahnama for Muslims.
The bill also allows separated Hindu persons to remarry. Clause 17 of the bill states that a Hindu widow "shall have the right to re-marry of her own will and consent after the death of her husband provided a period of six months has lapsed after the husband’s death".
The Senate committee under the chair of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Senator Nasreen Jalil took up the bill for discussion.
Soon after the bill was approved, the committee room 4 in Parliament House echoed with jubilation as senators and officials of different ministries started thumping their desks.
Minority member in National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani called the move a new year's gift for Hindus living in Pakistan.
"Today, we are proud to be Hindu Pakistanis after the approval of the bill. Hindus will now be able to get registered their marriages and also apply for divorce under family laws," he said.
Top constitutional expert Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said the bill is in accordance with the essence of the Constitution.
Ahsan clarified that the bill was not in contrast with Islamic jurisprudence as Islam emphasises protection of minorities.
A Pakistani Hindu couple performs a Hindu ritual during a mass wedding ceremony in Karachi
I
A Pakistani Hindu couple during a marriage ceremony. -AFP/File
ghazi52
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http://www.amazon.in/Historic-Temple.../dp/938309849X
Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Shivala Mandir... these are among the many ancient temples dating back to over 1,500 years in Pakistan chronicled by Karachi-based journalist and author Reema Abbasi in her book Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience.
Filled with her text together with vivid pictures shot by photographer Madiha Aijaz, the book sets out to 'ignite a discourse and the collective conscience of a nation numbed into silence, fear or false conviction of the supremacy of a singular religion – to institutionalise the fundamental right of will'.
The book chronicles ancient pilgrimage sites in present-day Pakistan with elaborate details accompanying the evocative photographs of ancient Hindu shrines, rituals, festivals and regional populace.
According to Abbasi, her compilation makes a case for keeping ancient emblems of faith alive and for pluralism in a land of irony that has been home to multiple ancient faiths yet stands besieged by unpalatable extremism.
Pakistan still has many important ancient Hindu temples standing but in desperate need of their saviours. Wish more Hindu tourists could visit them, so as to guard them from complete collapse, as that could unfortunately erase any signs of Hindu history of this side of the border.
Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Shivala Mandir... these are among the many ancient temples dating back to over 1,500 years in Pakistan chronicled by Karachi-based journalist and author Reema Abbasi in her book Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience.
Filled with her text together with vivid pictures shot by photographer Madiha Aijaz, the book sets out to 'ignite a discourse and the collective conscience of a nation numbed into silence, fear or false conviction of the supremacy of a singular religion – to institutionalise the fundamental right of will'.
The book chronicles ancient pilgrimage sites in present-day Pakistan with elaborate details accompanying the evocative photographs of ancient Hindu shrines, rituals, festivals and regional populace.
According to Abbasi, her compilation makes a case for keeping ancient emblems of faith alive and for pluralism in a land of irony that has been home to multiple ancient faiths yet stands besieged by unpalatable extremism.
Pakistan still has many important ancient Hindu temples standing but in desperate need of their saviours. Wish more Hindu tourists could visit them, so as to guard them from complete collapse, as that could unfortunately erase any signs of Hindu history of this side of the border.
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