Radio Pakistan: The world needs the pope's message of hope
Syed Khalid Waqar praised Pope Francis, reiterating the need to "spread positivity". Terrorism reporting in the media brings profit but destroys social values. On World Communications Day, Catholics took part in various events. For Radio Veritas Asia, many Muslims in Pakistan follow the pope's message of hope.
Lahore (AsiaNews) – Everyone should follow Pope Francis’ message of hope and trust, said Syed Khalid Waqar, a Muslim who is station director at Radio Pakistan.
“We should all act upon this message,” he told AsiaNews. “The spiritual icon has shown us the light. His worldly wisdom can fill the gaps in today's communication and spread positivity among the public. Both Islam and the pope say the same things; both condemn killings.”
Unfortunately, “in our society, news on terrorism has priority. Not much coverage is given to progress and good things,” Waqar added.
“The private sector sees everything from a business point of view and has made a lot of profit covering recent bombings in the country. This yellow journalism has destroyed our social values; negativity has affected the psychology of our people."
Waqar spoke on 25 May on the sidelines of the World Communications Day gathering in Lahore. More than 100 nuns and seminarians attended the event organised by the National Catholic Commission for Social Communications.
Novices of the Daughters of St Paul staged a performance based on faith, hope and love. A group workshop was also held on media usage and the opportunities it represents for the Church mission in a Muslim majority country.
Capuchin friar Fr Qaiser Feroz, director of the communication centre as well as Radio Veritas Asia Urdu service, presented the Urdu translation of the pope's message for the 51st World Communications Day.
"Pope Francis is the champion of hope,” Fr Feroz said. “While world leaders look helpless in the battle against terrorism, he keeps encouraging and inspiring people of all faiths. More than half of our listeners are Muslims who welcome and admire the papal messages in our programmes."
Since 1987, Radio Veritas Asia has been broadcasting morning and evening in Urdu, with feedback from Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India and Bangladesh. The theme chosen by the radio this year is "Unity: Resources/means of Peace".
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10/04/2022 13:11
