UN chief Antonio Guterres at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. (AFP)
Lahore:
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor was a practical example of Pakistan's desire for peace and interfaith harmony when he visited revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
The officials of the Pakistani Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhik Committee and the Evacuee Trust Property Board received the UN Secretary General in Kartarpur Sahib, about 125 km from Lahore. A Sikh boy handed him a bouquet of flowers. Langar was also served to him.
Speaking to reporters, Guterres said the Kartarpur corridor is a practical example of Pakistan's desire for peace and interfaith harmony. He said opening the corridor was a good step and would promote tolerance and interfaith harmony.
"This is a very emotional moment … and I cannot be here without a very strong feeling. It is wonderful to see inter-religious dialogue. It is wonderful to be in the same shrine today as Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, maybe Hindus to see – all pray in harmony and in peace ".
He went on to say that this is the best symbol that "we can exist for a world in peace and for a world where there is mutual respect and acceptance of what is different – to recognize that diversity is a blessing, Wealth, not a threat.
"When we see so many parts of the world fighting in the name of religion, we have to say that religions unite us for peace and the best symbol of this shrine is," he said.
