United Religions Initiative’s Pakistan coordinators and staff joined together recently for a national conference in Lahore to discuss the year’s events and share resources.

“There is a big challenge of growing terrorism and radicalism in the country which has made every place insecure,” said URI-Pakistan Regional Coordinator Father James Channan. “Therefore it is very important to spread our peace and interfaith dialogue activities throughout the country to bring healing, reconciliation, and positive change in our wounded society.”

From October 19-21, regional staff including Father James, Sabina Rifat, Yuel Bhatti; as well as global trustees Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed Farooq and Mr. Nasir Mehmood Saleemi, gathered for the conference. Twenty-one coordinators, five representatives, and two resource persons including Ms. Tasneem Saeed and Mr. Atif Jamil Pagan were also in attendance.

The meeting began with URI leaders and participants extending a warm welcome to new URI Executive Director Victor Kazanjian. URI regional staff then presented their annual reports of national activities, and all coordinators presented updates on Cooperation Circle (CC) activities.

“It was great to learn that most of the CCs are very committed in promoting vision of the URI, in spite of the difficult and challenging situation of law and order we are faced with,” said Father James.

Among the many highlights of 2013, several press conferences were organized to express solidarity with the victims of violence and gender discrimination, such as the attack on Malala Yousafzai, and the false accusation of a Christian girl with Down syndrome, Rimsha Masih, of burning pages of the Qur’an. In addition, URI leaders and members participated in several rallies and demonstrations to condemn the attacks on All Saints Church in Peshawar, with several TV stations and newspapers giving prominent coverage to these events.

Contacts with civil society, religious leaders, and the government of Pakistan have greatly increased over the year, according to Father James. At the same time, leaders were quick to point out that non-active CCs need to be reactivated, and that a Youth Trainer is greatly needed, as well as an assistant for Sabina Rifat for her consuming work as URI Women’s Wing Coordinator.

Ms. Tasneem Saeed, along with Mr. Atif Jami Pagan, gave presentations on how to write a project proposal, stressing the imperative things to be mentioned on the project, as well as its aims, objectives and budget writing.

“All participants were extremely happy with the knowledge and presentation of the resource persons. This will be very helpful for the future plans and progress of the URI in our region,” Father James said.

Beyond providing a space to share past programs and events and providing resources for things to come, there was also a great entertainment lineup at the conference. The Global Mission Awareness CC organized a performance by Alexander Ratan Lal, and several URI members presented songs, poems, and jokes.

It was also announced that the upcoming meeting with the Asian Executive Committee is planned for January 10-12, 2014, in Lahore. Asian Coordinators and Asian Global Trustees will be in attendance.