[Today’s Prayer] Pakistan issues visas to 2,000 Indians wishing to attend Sikh festival — first since military conflict

Pakistan has granted visas to about 2,000 Indian Sikhs who wish to enter the country to attend a religious festival.

This move draws attention as it is the first such measure in six months since all exchanges between the two countries were effectively halted following armed clashes in May.

According to AFP and other reports on the 1st (local time), the Pakistani High Commission in India announced that it had issued visas to approximately 2,100 Indian Sikhs.

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In Pakistan, a ten-day festival commemorating the birth of Guru Nanak (1469–1539), the founder of Sikhism, will be held starting from the 4th.

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This visit marks the first case of travel resuming between the two nations since it was suspended at that time.

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Founded in northern India in the 15th century, Sikhism pursues liberation through personal discipline.

It is a fusion of Hinduism and Islam, and it is estimated that there are about 30 million adherents worldwide.

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Source: Asia Economy

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:1–2)

God our Father, we have heard the news that Pakistan has issued visas to about 2,000 Indian Sikhs, allowing them to participate in the celebration of Guru Nanak’s birth.

We thank You that, after six months of severed relations following the armed conflict in May, exchanges between the two nations are once again opening.

However, Lord, may the souls of Pakistan and India come to realize that true peace cannot be obtained through religion or human effort. Let them see that reconciliation spoken in the name of false religion is only temporary, and lead them to seek the eternal truth of Jesus Christ so that they may find peace through the gospel of Christ alone.

Even when the world constantly trembles, we believe that those who trust in the Lord are unshaken like Mount Zion. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, may You surround and protect the churches and believers of India and Pakistan from now and forevermore.

As the churches in Pakistan and India continue to pray for one another, may the long-standing strife and division between the two nations end, and may they be united in the name of Jesus Christ to prepare the way for the Lord’s return.

May Pakistan and India rise together as one holy and mighty army, advancing with the gospel to all nations, making disciples of every people, and fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord.