Embassy Demonstrates Pakistan’s Commitment to Interfaith Harmony & Cultural Diversity on Christmas Eve
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington, DC: As millions around the world celebrated Christmas Eve, the Embassy of Pakistan continued its annual holiday tradition with a special ceremony to celebrate Christmas, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and cultural diversity.
The celebratory event included the cutting of a Christmas cake and presentation of gifts to the Christian staff members in appreciation of their dedicated service throughout the year.
Addressing the gathering, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, highlighted the importance of religious tolerance and coexistence. “Pakistan is a multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic society. It is a place whose sociocultural, religious and other traditions have been nurtured and matured over millennia,” he said.
He went on to note the lessons learned throughout history that building identities and interactions on commonalities rather than differences sustain harmony and interfaith coexistence in the present as well as the future. “Respect for all religions and sharing in one another’s joy strengthens the bonds of humanity,” the ambassador stated.
“Christmas is not just a happy occasion for the followers of Christianity, it is a joyous occasion for people all around the world,” he continued. Muslims believe that Christ was a prophet among the chosen messengers of God, one who merited the grace and respect of a revealed scripture.
The ambassador pointed out that the UN resolutions on interfaith harmony was a global consensus and one discouraging incitement to hatred within the universally accepted human rights framework. “We wish our Christian brethren a joyous and festive celebration,” he said.
“I wish the New Year 2026 brings peace, progress and prosperity to the entire world and that the spirit of Christmas is cherished by mankind not only in 2026 but throughout the months and years ahead,” Ambassador Sheikh concluded. “Merry Christmas.”
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
