Islamabad: Rejecting the narrative that Pakistan is a society divided by faith, Muslim and Christian students at the Health Services Academy came together on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas, using the occasion to make a clear statement that coexistence, tolerance and shared citizenship are lived realities on campuses across the country.
The Christmas celebration, jointly organised by students from both communities at the academy, transformed Keilmen Hall into a festive and inclusive space under the theme “Christmas Around the World”. The programme included carol singing, prayers, a decorated Christmas tree, cake cutting and the entry of Santa Claus, who distributed sweets among students, faculty and staff, drawing smiles and applause from the audience.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said interfaith harmony was not a slogan but a prerequisite for progress, innovation and peace. He reminded students that Islam itself emphasises faith in previous divine books and respect for other belief systems, placing tolerance at the heart of religious and social life.
He said societies could not move forward unless they created space for different ideas, beliefs and perspectives. According to him, creativity and innovation thrive only where acceptance exists, adding that peace grows out of tolerance, which then strengthens interfaith harmony and national development.
Referring to Pakistan’s global image, Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said the country was often unfairly portrayed through the lens of extremism, a narrative that ignored the everyday examples of peaceful coexistence visible in educational institutions and communities. He stressed the need to counter such propaganda by highlighting lived experiences where minorities were respected and included as equal citizens.
The programme opened with prayers and recitation by students, followed by the national anthem, reinforcing a shared national identity beyond religious lines. Students compered the event, while carols were performed by Carol Samson and other participants, with group performances adding to the celebratory mood.
Addressing the gathering, Asher Wilson, a representative of the Christian community and in charge pastor at the Church of Messiah, said events like these carried far more meaning than symbolic statements. He said Christians had lived in Pakistan for generations and regarded it as their homeland, stressing that mutual respect between communities was essential for social stability.
He appreciated the academy for providing a platform where religious diversity was openly celebrated, saying such initiatives helped build trust and understanding, especially among young people.
In his concluding remarks, Deputy Registrar Syed Murtaza Gillani recalled Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a Pakistan where all citizens were free to practise their faith without fear or discrimination. He said student-led initiatives like the Christmas celebration helped translate that vision into everyday practice.
The event concluded with a joint cake cutting ceremony, followed by lunch and group photographs, capturing moments of warmth and shared joy among students from different faith backgrounds.