Muslim Family's 100 Years Service Of A Church Reflects Strong Bond Of Interfaith Harmony In Pakistan

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2019 ) :Apparently looking like a religious fundamentalist due to sporting of a long grayish beard and hair covering black cap on head, Waheed Murad, a middle aged man in his late 40's, is in fact third generation of his family serving as custodian of a Church in mountainous Nathiagali hilly resort of Abbottabad district.

Historic Saint Mathews Church in Nathiagali region is being looked after and served by Waheed Murad and his family for the last around 97 years.

The service of a Muslim family to a Church from three generations portrays a strong bond of interfaith harmony, tolerance and respect for other religions among the dwellers of the country having multiplicity of faiths.

The colonial era Church is a big source of attraction for tourists visiting Nathiagali hilly resort because of its majestic architectural design, artistic wooden work and credit for preservation of its eye catching grandeur even in the harsh weathers of alpine region goes to its custodians, Waheed Murad and his ancestors.

"In 1914 St. Matthew Church was constructed and after few years of its establishment my late grandfather, Muhammad Hussain extended his service for taking care of the worship place," recalls Waheed Murad.

My grandfather also had the option of doing same service for a guest house, but he opted for the Church because of its sanctity and reverence in his mind, Murad told APP.

My late grandfather served the Church for 35 consecutive years and after his death the services were continued by my father, Shakro Khan, he explained.

The service duration of my father, Shakro Khan spanned over a period of 45 years and after his death, I decided to continue the same.

Now I am serving Saint Mathews Church for the last 17 years and the whole service of my family till now counts for around 97 years, Waheed told APP.

"I have also advised my children to continue the same service after my death because it is a matter of pride for me and my elders," Murad continued with conviction.

He never felt any guilt or shame over serving a Church because to him worship place of any religion is as sacred as mosque.

Talking to APP, Waheed Murad said his home is around six kilometers away from the Church at village Milaach but he walks over the hilly terrain by foot even during heavy snowfall in winter.

The service of Murad for Church includes cleansing, dusting, laying down flowers, removing snow during winter and even ringing of the Church bell.

There is no local Christian in Nathiagali but I regularly visit the Church to keep it open for worshipers and visitors.

Majority of the visitors to the Church are tourists, both Christian and Muslims.

"Its very appreciative to see a Muslim providing service at a Church and gives a message that people in our country are tolerant and believe in mutual coexistence," remarked Pervez Bhatti, a Christian tourist who visited the Church for worship.

Whenever I visit Nathiagali I come to Church and become happy to see Murad keeping our worship place clean and tidy, Bhatti told APP.

As a matter of acknowledgment of service of our worship place, few Christian visitors to the Church not only appreciate Murad but also give him gifts, Pervez informed APP.

"This is a real picture of our society where people of different faiths are living with mutual co-existence and tolerance," observed Prof Dr. Abdul Ghafoor, known religious scholar of Peshawar and Core Member of Pakistan Councils of World Religions.

Apart from Waheed Murad, a number of Muslims are working in Churches in different cities, Prof Ghafoor added.

Mutual coexistence among people of different faiths is hallmark of our society which still exists and will continue in future, remarked Prof Ghafoor.

He said the structure of All Saints Church in Kohati Gate area of Peshawar where around 80 worshipers were killed due to twin suicide attacks in 2013 was designed in a manner that it resembled mosque and this decision was taken by our ancestors to show unity and amity among Muslims and Christians.

The services of Waheed Murad family for a Church has reflected that people in our country believes in humanity and are above from discard and enmity on basis of religion and belief.