PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Culture and Tourism Authority on Sunday organized the Christmas Sports Gala for the Christian community with lots of recreational activities, including games, music and fun, to entertain the attendees, officials and participants said.
Members of the Christian community from Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan districts of KP, as well as people from different walks of life gathered for the event at the Saint John Vianney High School in the provincial capital.
They played games like table tennis and throw ball, participated in musical chair and mehndi (henna) competitions, listened to a musical band and witnessed skits and dance performances.
Saad Bin Awais, a Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the KP Culture and Tourism Authority, told Arab News the aim of organizing this gala was to honor victims of the 2013 attack on Peshawar’s All Saints Church.
Two suicide bombers had attacked the church in the Kohati Gate area and killed more than 80 people. Another 130 had received injuries.
“We are holding this gala on the request of the Christian community,” Awais said. “The department holds such events everywhere and for every community.”
Children act in a play at the Christmas Sports Gala held at St. John Vianney High School in Peshawar, Pakistan on December 26, 2021. (AN Photo)
Zalmon Nadeem, who hailed from the Khyber district, told Arab News this was the first such event she had attended since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Today is the second day of Christmas and we especially came to participate in recreational activities at the Saint John Vianney High School,” she said.
“We are thankful to Wilson Wazir, member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) on a reserved seat, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for arranging such a great event for our community.”
Children participate in a competition at the Christmas Sports Gala held at St John Vianney High School in Peshawar, Pakistan on December 26, 2021. (AN Photo)
Nadeem said schoolchildren performed tableaus that conveyed messages like unity and interfaith harmony at the gala.
“I believe holding such events is very important as they encourage interfaith harmony and project a positive image of the Pakistani society,” MPA Wazir, who was the chief guest at the gala, told Arab News.
“Organizing such activities also creates an atmosphere of love and brotherhood,” Wazir said, urging such events should be held every month.
He concluded the gala by cutting a Christmas cake and awarded participants for their performances.
Special prayers at the Christmas Sports Gala held at St John Vianney High School in Peshawar, Pakistan on December 26, 2021. (AN Photo)
