Christian Study Centre

Introduction of Christian Study Centre The Christian Study Centre is an interdenominational organization and working since 1967 in Pakistan. Aims:  To assist the Churches in Pakistan in their attempt to gain a better understanding of the relationship between Islam and Christianity and the particular nature of their calling as churches in a Muslim state  To undertake and encourage academic research.  To encourage dialogue, foster mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence and promote cooperation in various spheres of nation-building.  To change the negative attitude

Activities of Christian Study Centre  Theological Department 1. Arrange weekly class under the Institute of Theology and Christian Formation(ITCF) 2. Developing Contextual theology in Pakistani context through seminars, workshops and publications 3. Ecumenical programs to develop intrafaith harmony 4. Make research on Islam and Christianity to build good relationship among them.

 Interfaith Harmony and Peacebuilding programs 1. Culture of Peace (Composite heritage) 2. Interfaith Dialogue 3. Developing Peaceful Co-existence in Pakistan(Religious Leaders) 4. Interfaith Harmony Initiatives, awareness and protection of Minority Rights (The program, Interfaith Harmony Initiatives, awareness and protection of Minority Rights in partnership with Joint Future, Sweden)

Culture of Peace International ExposureTheater Performance

Interfaith Dialogue Interfaith Dialogue Session Islamic Scholar on Interfaith Dialogue Session

Developing Peaceful Co-existence Training with Religious LeadersGroup discussion by Participants

Interfaith Harmony initiatives, awareness and protection of Minority Rights Peace Committee MeetingCluster Meeting

RBA approach in Religious Tension and CSC’s work  Discuss about the Human Rights specially Freedom of Religion and Freedom of expression through meetings and Dialogues with Religious Leaders of both the communities and request them to guide the people on the right directions  Conduct Seminars and workshops in grassroots level and middle level with the help of religious leader of local areas.  Mediation with the both parties in the situation of conflict.  Formation of Peace Committees to resolve the religion driven conflict at local level (which include different members of areas, e.g. police officers from local police station, local religious leaders, political leaders, women leaders, youth leaders and NGOs representatives)  Get the assistance of partner organizations of the local areas.

RBA in Civil and Political Rights  Arrange awareness programs to aware the people to caste their votes, to elect the right person from their area, to participate in the election process  Lobbying in collaboration with networks to engage policy makers to develop non – discriminating policies and laws

Methods and Strategies  Selection of local partner organizations  With the assistance of partner organizations, approach to grassroots level, middle level and top level.  Establish clusters to expand the circle of networking  Focused group discussions, seminars and workshops on different topics according to need of time by partner organizations  Joint sessions with opinion makers (Religious leaders, Lawyers, Journalists, Teachers, women leaders etc.) for effective advocacy on human rights.  Mobilization through the mobilizers in the areas

Positive Results  Built up trust and relations  Removed the confusions about other faiths  Commitment of religious leaders and inclusion of peacebuilding component in their religious sermons  Capacity building and awareness  Attitudinal change  Developed Networking  Decreased Religious tension  Increased women participation  Involvement of youth in the intervention

Contextual Challenges and How to handle  Unawareness of rights  Women participation is not much encouraged  Arrange meetings, seminars and workshops to make them aware of their rights, right to education, right to freedom of expression, right to participate etc.  Frequent visit of mobilizer to the area with help of women leaders, separate meeting with male members of the family to get their assistance for female participation in the activities Contextual ChallengesHow to handle

 Being a Christian organization, they associate with the west  Conversion of religion  Global influence  Awareness on national identity  In programs, we invite Muslim scholars to clear the concept by discussing the commonalities among the faiths. Human Rights are given by religions  Stand for the rights (blasphemous movie, Rimsha case) Contextual Challenges How to handle