Activities Updates from Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP)

1. Seminar on Restoration of Unity (UnitatisRedintegratio)

To celebrate the week of Inter-Religious relations in the last week of January, MAP organized a session on 26 January 2024 at Theological Institute for Laity (TIL) on the document of Vatican council’ Decree on ecumenism “Unitatis Redintegratio. 

Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress-MAP) shared her views on the topic. Participants actively shared their views on this important topic. Total 55 participants from different nearby places were present.

During the seminar, a book titled “Vatican Council II and Hamsafr” was launched. These books are published by Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP).

2. Apostolic Letter: Promotion of Contextual theology

A one-day seminar was conducted by MAP on 09 February 2024 at Christ the King Seminary, Karachi. The seminar’s topic was “Apostolic Letter: The Promotion of Contextual Theology.” Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Asi served as the resource person.

3. The Face of the Synodal Church

Since 2021, MAP has introduced the 16th Bishop Synod in Pakistan via seminars and publications. In 2024, MAP plans to organize a session to discuss the 16th Bishop Synod’s synthesis report. A seminar on the first chapter of “The Face of the Synodal Church” report was held at Salvation Army Church in Saddar-Karachi on February 13, 2024.

Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar served as the resource person. A total of 30 participants attended the seminar. Participants appreciated MAP’s effectiveness in providing updates on the 16th Bishop Synod.

4. A Synodal Church in Mission

A two-day seminar was organized on 22-23 February 2024, Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) at Theological Institute for Laity (TIL). The theme of the seminar was “A Synodal Church in Mission (Synthesis Report)” of the 16th Synod. During this seminar, the speakers shared the following topics:

• The Face of Synodal Church by Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar
• All Disciples, All Missionaries by Mr. Asad Mushtaq
• Weaving Bonds, Building Communities by Master Pervez Akbar
• XVI Ordinary Bishops’ Synod: Live – in Experience by Ms. Sana Iqbal

During these sessions, participants had discussions through raising questions and appreciating the speakers. Eucharistic mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Asi, Chairperson of MAP. 60 participants from various parts of Pakistan, including the Archdiocese of Karachi, Hyderabad Diocese, Faisalabad Diocese, and Archdiocese of Lahore, attended the seminar.

5. Celebrating Synodality in the Church: 35 Years (1989-2024) Services of MAP

On 24th February 2024, MAP 35 years Jubilee was celebrated under the theme: Celebrating Synodality in the Church: 35 Years (1989-2024) Services of MAP. The chief guest was His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts.

Thanksgiving Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Coutts. Symbolically, Jubilee candle was enlightened by Rev. Fr. The Honourable Emmanuel Asi, Chairperson of MAP, and distinguished guests.

6. Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The MAP Annual General Meeting was held on February 24, 2024, at the Theological Institute for Laity’s head office. Friends, well-wishers, board members, coordinators, and members from various Pakistani cities attended. The Chief Coordinator and the MAP staff received shields of appreciation.

The synthesis report of the 16th Bishop Synod in Urdu was launched. Participation certificates were given to the students of the Online sessions on Contextual Theology for Laity for the year 2023. Videos and written messages from friends in Germany, Portugal, Korea, and Pakistan were shared at the memorial event.

Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar expressed her gratitude to all attendees, especially the chief guests, friends, MAP supporters, donors, office and support staff, and everyone who has supported MAP’s services over the past 35 years (1989-2024).

7. Women’s Day Celebration: Count Her in Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment

Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) and Women Theological Forum (WTF) held a Women’s Day event on March 8, 2024, at the Theological Institute for Laity (TIL). The topic of the program was “Count Her in Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment”. Ms. Sunita Hameed (In charge-Formation and Education-MAP) welcomed all participants and shared the historical background of 113th Women’s Day.

Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar, Director at MAP, shared her opinions on accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment in Pakistan. Participants eagerly shared their viewpoints and poems. A total of 65 participants from various cities were present. At the end, women planted the new plants symbolically as both women and plants are a symbol of life.