Sohail Ahmad Raza, Director of Interfaith Relations of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, held a meeting with the leaders of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in Nankana sahib on the beginning of the 550th year of Sikh religion’s Shahi calendar and congratulated the Sikh community on the historic passage of Punjab Anand Karaj Bill 2017 by the Punjab Assembly. The Sikh leaders present on the occasion included Sardar Tara Singh Bhardan, Sardar Gopal Singh Chawla, Sardar Bishan Singh, Sardar Ramesh Singh MPA and Sardar Janam Singh.

Sohail Ahmad Raza felicitated the Sikh community on the passage of Sikh Marriage Act on behalf of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri. He said that it is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the rights of the members of the Sikh religion have been recognized as a separate religion. He said that Hindu marriage act applies to the Sikhs across the whole of India even today. He said that Pakistan is the only country where the Sikh religion has been given a distinct and individualistic religious identity which is in line with the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said that minorities in Pakistan are equal citizens and enjoy all perks and privileges under the Constitution.

Sohail Ahmad Raza said that the Sikh-Muslim friendship is a guarantor of peace in the region from geographical point of view. He said that the teachings of the Muslim Sufis impart us the lesson of brotherhood, love and peace, a shared message which is present in the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion. He said that it is by acting upon these shared teachings that we can make this region a hub of peace and stability.