Happy Diwali to forgotten Pakistanis

We opened our eyes in a Muslim country because 97 percent of its population is Muslim. Somehow, while celebrating our religious festivals we have always forgotten the existence of minority living with us. Being Muslims we know what our religious festivals mean to us and how it is ought to be respected globally. But, we never give our minorities the same right to celebrate their festivals. They are usually ignored. Undauntedly, Pakistan was established on the fundamental point of two nation theories but in the very first address to its constituency assembly Quaid-e-Azam said “Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State”.

In that regard it’s obligatory for us to wish our Hindu brothers and sisters a very Happy Diwali.

Diwali or Dipawali is a Sanskrit word that means series of lights. The festival is spiritually celebrated as a symbol of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.  The celebrations and rituals of Diwali continue for five days. The Diwali night is celebrated between mid of October and mid of November.During those five days Hindus conduct different rituals and main festival night coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu month Kartika. It is the happiest holiday for Hindus, people buy the best dresses to wear on the day, and they decorate their houses.

Government Sindh has been celebrating the festival for years now. They have always arranged functions for the small hindu community of the region. Chief Minister Sindh has announced an official celebration tomorrow on this account. CM also announced official holiday for Hindu community. However, Diwaali was also celebrated by the participants of the sit-in protests at D-Chowk on Interfaith harmony Day.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s member of Sindh assembly Sharmeela Farooqi has tweeted that chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also celebrate Diwali with Hindu community tomorrow.

Sindh Govt to officially celebrate Diwali this year. Happy Diwali

— Sharmila faruqi (@sharmilafaruqi) October 22, 2014

PTI celebrated Minorities Day on 19Oct & @ImranKhanPTI cut Diwali cake. Good deeds spread. Sindh Govt celebrtng Diwali this yr 1st time ever

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 22, 2014