KARACHI: Marking the commencement of Hindu calendar, Diwali (festival of lights) is celebrated on 15th day of Kartika (in memory of Ram Chand who spent 14 years in tranquility)and lasts for five days.
Diwali is a vital religious festival with racines in India. It is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains. It was Akbar who laid the tradition of celebrating Diwali in Agra with fireworks outside the palace.
He was the liberal Emperor who attempted to merge different religions to create Deen-e-Ilahi). Later other Mughal emperors also continued observing the festival in their forts.
This year the festivities began on Thursday (4th of November). The propaganda that Hindu communities are migrating to India (due to incidents like forced conversions and marriages etc) should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Prime Minister Imran Khan took to the Twitter to wish Hindu community a happy Diwali:
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: “Was a great pleasure joining our Hindu community in their #Diwali celebrations today in Larkano.”
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari holding that PPP had always supported minorities to observe their religious rites and celebrate festivals with freedom, maintained: “We need to understand the message of Diwali, which teaches us that no matter how powerful evil is, its defeat at the hands of unwavering determination and constant struggle is inevitable.”
President of PML-N Shehbaz Sharif, while wishing the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world a very happy Diwali held: “May the festival of lights be the source of peace, love and joy around the world!”
As a gesture of goodwill the personnel of the Indian and Pakistan armies held a flag meeting and exchanged sweets at the Line of Control. In the port city of the Metropolis Muslims, Christians, Sikhs joined the Hindu community’s Diwali festivities in the Swami Narayan Temple situated at M.A.Jinnah Road.
Bishop of Pakistan Sadiq Daniel, General Secretary, Pakistan Sikh Council Sardar Amar Singh, celebrated religious scholar Allama Abdul Khaliq addressed the ladies and gentlemen of who had converged at the temple. Pandit Maharaj prayed for the security and prosperity of the Pakistan.
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