Inclusive Spirit of Interfaith Music Celebrated in Lahore

“Sur Sajday Ke Roop Hazar,” a cultural and peace-building event held in Lahore under the theme Music for Peace, was organized by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) to promote interfaith harmony through creative expression and musical engagement.Music for Peace is a cultural initiative designed to deepen understanding among different faith traditions through creative engagement with music. It brought together young participants from diverse backgrounds to collaborate through musical expression rooted in shared spiritual and cultural themes to strengthen understanding, encourage collaboration, and promote narratives of inclusion in society.The event strengthened public understanding of peace-building by highlighting music as a shared spiritual and cultural expression among diverse religious traditions. It also encouraged collaboration among participants from different faith backgrounds through artistic engagement.In addition, renowned vocalist Arieb Azhar participated in the programme and contributed to the discussions on the role of music in promoting peace and interfaith harmony. Arieb Azhar also shared insights from his published article series on Music for Peace, which explores the confluence of different forms of religious music in Pakistan and highlights the shared spiritual and cultural threads connecting diverse faith traditions through musical expression.The programme featured live interfaith music performances, including original songs and compositions developed by participants through a prior creative process. The performances conveyed messages of peace, coexistence, and respect for religious diversity through musical expression.The event brought together government officials from the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and relevant departments of the Government of Punjab, youth and young adults from diverse religious backgrounds, artists, musicians, peace activists, journalists, and civil society representatives.While Dr. Rubina Feroze Bhatti and Dr. Yaqoob Bangash shared their reflections on the event. The Chief Guest and renowned poet Nazir Qaisar urged more vibrant cultural response to challenges of intolerance and exploitation. He said that music was the mother tongue of all human beings therefore need to be given due regard in education and life perspectives.In his closing remarks, Peter Jacob, Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), stated that the event underscores the organization’s continued commitment to advancing interfaith harmony through inclusive and creative initiatives. He noted that music was a universal language that transcended religious and cultural divides and fostering the shared longing for peace, coexistence, and respect for religious diversity.He further emphasized that engaging young artists from diverse faith backgrounds is essential for strengthening social cohesion and promoting mutual understanding within society. He acknowledged that artists maintained immense creative potential that need a space for expression.He added that “Music for Peace” is part of CSJ’s broader efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and inclusive narratives in Pakistan through cultural and community-based interventions.