Is that Santa at the door? No, its the Shia community of Multan

Is that Santa at the door? No, its the Shia community of Multan
http://tribune.com.pk/story/649581/is-that-santa-at-the-door-no-its-the-shia-community-of-multan/
By Ovais Jafri
Published: December 23, 2013

Christian families given gifts the day before the Chehlum of Imam Hussain. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS

MULTAN: Christmas for 700 Christian families in Multan was made extra special this year, as the Shia community showered them with gifts the day before the Chehlum of Imam Hussain.

The goodwill step was taken by Chairman Markazi Azdari Imam Hussain Council (MAIHC) Hasan Mashadi in collaboration with religious leaders from other religious sects. The gifts were sponsored by Multan’s civil society.

Hundreds of Christian families from Gulshanabad Colony, Raza Abad Colony, Grass Mandi Colony, Chungi No One Colony and Double Phaatak Colony received the Christmas gifts with open arms and much excitement.

MAIHC was assisted in gift distribution by over 200 male and female volunteers of the Shia community in Multan, who went door-to-door in the form of small delegations.

When Mariyam Masih from Double Phatak Colony was given a gift for her three-year-old daughter by the Shia delegation, she began to weep. She said the gift reaffirmed her belief in the ideology of Pakistan.

One of the volunteers, 17-year-old Jawad Haider said that the time has come to show in practice the ideology of Imam Hussain (RA).

MAIHC’s Mashadi also revealed they began this initiative in Multan because it is known as the ‘city of saints.’

“I believed tolerance will one day find a place in our society where right now religious is used as a tool to dictate and suppress minorities,” Mashadi added.