Annual FCCU Christmas Celebration
On December 12, 2024, the Advancement and Alumni Office arranged The Christmas Celebration. It was a heartwarming and joyous occasion, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff and special guests to celebrate the spirit of the season.
The event began with a thoughtful reading from the Holy Bible, setting a reverent tone for the evening. The Advent Candles were lit, inviting blessings for the festive season and the year ahead, during which Dr. Robert Wetmore explained the significance of all of them.
The performers graced the occasion with beautiful carols, filling the room with festive cheer. Their soulful renditions set the stage for the Christmas message and blessings from the Chief Guest, Rt. Revd. Irfan Jamil.
The Rector, Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, also addressed the gathering, offering his warm remarks and encouraging everyone to embrace the spirit of giving, kindness, and unity that defines Christmas.
A highlight of the event was the cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the shared joy of the occasion. The alumni once again delighted the attendees with more carols, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Christmas Quiz engaged everyone, testing their knowledge of the holiday’s traditions and history, followed by remarks from Mrs. Badia Raza, CM&OO, who shared her thoughts on the importance of community and celebration during the festive season.
The Marketing and Outreach team delivered a stunning choral performance, leaving the guests with a sense of wonder and delight. The event concluded with dinner and networking, where attendees shared stories, laughter, and good cheer, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds within the Forman community.
It was truly an evening of warmth, unity, and celebration – reflecting the true essence of Christmas.
Christianity and Christians in Pakistan Conference
The International Conference “Christianity and Christians in Pakistan” commenced on December 10, 2024, at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) in Lahore. This prestigious event, collaboratively organized by the Department of Religious Studies, Forman Christian College, Kellogg College, the University of Oxford, the Asian Studies Centre, Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest, and Information Technology University (ITU), brought together a distinguished group of scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Convened by Mr. Abraham Murad (Kellogg College, University of Oxford), Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash (ITU), and Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman (Forman Christian College) who moderated the first day of the conference as well, the conference set a vibrant tone on its first day, offering a mix of compelling speeches, thought-provoking panels, and rich academic presentations.
The day began with a warm welcome from Dr. H. A. Ghani, Head of the Department of Religious Studies at Forman Christian College. Mr. Abraham Murad from Kellogg College, University of Oxford, then introduced the overarching themes and objectives of the conference.
The keynote address was delivered by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi. Cardinal Coutts reflected on the notions of unity and Pakistani identity, including how these relate to the experience of Christians in the country from its beginnings until the present day.
Dr. Jonathan Addleton, Rector of Forman Christian College, followed with an inspiring account of the university’s history and its enduring contributions to society and academia in Pakistan and beyond. His remarks celebrated the institution’s pivotal role in shaping generations of scholars and leaders.
A dynamic panel discussion on “Christians and Education in Pakistan” was chaired by Dr. Keneth Pervaiz of Forman Christian College. The panel featured distinguished experts: Dr. Farhana Nazir (Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi), Dr. Saleem Younas (Gujranwala Theological Seminary), Dr. ShanthiKumar Hettiarachchi (Minhaj University), Mr. Asher Javed (National Catholic Education Commission Pakistan), and Dr. Asher Johnson Khokhar (Forman Christian College). Together, they delved into the current state of education for Christians and Christian institutions, offering valuable insights and forward-looking strategies.
After lunch, the Honourable Mr. Justice (Retired) Jawwad S. Khawaja, Pakistan’s 23rd Chief Justice, engaged in an illuminating conversation with Dr. Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at ITU. This session, titled “Pakistan’s Christian Chief Justice A. R. Cornelius: The Life and Legacy of a ‘Constitutional Muslim,'” celebrated the legacy of Chief Justice Cornelius, highlighting his contributions to constitutional law and his unique role in Pakistan’s history. The conversation included both personal and professional insights, emphasizing the enduring relevance of the Chief Justice’s character and life’s work.
The afternoon continued with remarks by Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Humanities at Forman Christian College. He synthesized the insights shared throughout the day, paving the way for two captivating academic presentations on Christians in everyday life.
The third session was moderated by Dr. Daniel Lanz of Forman Christian College in which Dr. Paul Rollier (CNRS-EHESS, France) presented a paper titled “A Life among Muslims: Christian Identity and Religious Difference in Lahore.” He focused on the life of a Christian who works as a sweeper in a mosque and lives among Muslim factory workers. Rollier’s portrayal and incisive analysis questioned common assumptions about Christian identity and the Christian community. Dr. Dominic Esler (LUMS) followed with “Christianity, Caste, and the Work of Purification in Pakistan.” This paper offered a rereading on caste research in South Asia, addressing the relation of caste to religion, ethnicity, and purity, and highlighting areas for further research.
The day concluded with reflections from Dr. Robert Wetmore (Forman Christian College), who emphasized the broader societal implications of the discussions and expressed gratitude to the participants for their invaluable contributions.
As the first day drew to a close, conveners, moderators, and presenters were commended for their vision, attention to detail, and ability to ensure a dynamic flow of ideas. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation of the rich history, challenges, and possibilities faced by Christians in Pakistan. The conversations and insights set the stage for further exploration over the next two days, promising a meaningful continuation of this vital dialogue. Both Faculties Islamic Studies as well as Christian Studies participated in it enthusiastically.