ONLINE SESSIONS: CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY FOR LAITY- MARCH TO MAY 2025
Contextual Theology for Laity – Online Sessions is a three-year program (2024–2026) aimed at providing theological formation to laypeople. From March to May 2025, the sessions were conducted online twice a month on Saturday evenings.
In 2025, a total of 65 participants registered for the sessions. They came from various cities across Pakistan as well as from overseas locations, including Australia, Dubai, California (USA), and Kuwait. A total of 248 individual attendances were recorded across all sessions.
The following topics were presented by the invited speakers: Mary of the Third World by Ms. Naureen Akhtar, Rastbazi ka Rasta by Ms. Anila Simon, Shadows in the Darkness by Mr. Khurram Paul, Pershan Khandan by Ms. Maria Goretti, Patterns of Church Leadership by Mr. Mushtaq Asad, and Church and Mary by Sr. Rebecca James, FSP.
This initiative continues to serve as an inclusive and relevant platform for theological engagement among laypeople, both locally and internationally.
THEOLOGICAL SEMINAR
MAP provides opportunities for the laity to learn theological topics. MAP’s vision and mission is to empower the laity in the church and society through education and formation.
A seminar on 10 April, 2025 at Theological Institute for Laity (TIL), G. T. Road Sadhoke conducted by MAP. The topic of the seminar was “Participation in Resurrection”. A book entitled “Participation in Resurrection” launched during the seminar. Dr. Farhana Anthony Nazir gave her input on the topic of “Participation in the Resurrection”. The speaker of the seminar threw light on this topic and said that it is a living experience. It embodying the new life in Jesus Christ. This involves the acts of service, hope, compassion and sharing the message of new life with other. A group workshop conducted by the speaker. Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress-MAP) paid concluding remarks. Ms. Sunita Hameed paid vote of thanks. A total number of 57 participants attended this seminar.
CHURCH AND MARY-INTERNATIONAL MOTHER’S DAY
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) – Women Theological Forum (WTF) conducted a seminar to Celebrate the International Mother’s Day on 13 May 2025 at Theological Institute for Laity (TIL), G. T. Road Sadhoke, Distt Gujranwala. The topic of the seminar was “Church and Mary”. A book entitled “Church and Mary” was launched. Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress-MAP) was the resource person. She told that Mother is the tomb of hope and a way to come closer to Her son. She helps us grow in our faith and increases our spirituality in our practical lives. Ms. Sunita Hameed (Incharge formation and education-MAP) was the facilitator. Total 45 participants attended this seminar.
EQUALITY AND PARTICIPATION (FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE)
Maktaba Anaveem Pakistan (MAP), through the Women Theological Forum (WTF), organized a four-day training program titled “Equality, Participation, and Feminist Perspective” from March 13–16, 2025, at the TIL office in Sadhoke. A total of 48 female participants from various cities in Pakistan—including Karachi, Hyderabad, Kotri, Nawabshah, and others—attended the event. The program began with a welcome address by Mrs. Alishbah Javed, Directress of MAP, highlighting the historical context and the vision of creating safe, inclusive spaces for women’s theological reflection. Mrs. Sajida Pervaiz, Chief Coordinator of WTF, introduced the forum and emphasized its commitment to helping women recognize their voices and the feminist face of God. The main resource book Equality, Participation, and Feminist Perspective was launched and served as the foundation for the program’s discussions.
Key sessions included presentations by Ms. Sana Iqbal on male-dominated religious language, Mrs. Alishbah Javed on Feminism and Vatican Council II, and Ms. Naureen Akhtar on the five paradigms of feminism, based on D’mello’s work. Ms. Irum Waqas also delivered a significant session on Contextual Feminist Theology in Pakistan, advocating for faith interpretations that support gender justice. Participants engaged in creative workshops and group discussions, rewriting prayers with inclusive language and envisioning a participatory Church. The final day included a recommendation-sharing session, followed by a closing address by Mrs. Javed and a Eucharistic Mass led by Rev. Fr. Nasir Gulfam. The event successfully empowered participants to critically engage with feminist theology and laid the groundwork for future WTF initiatives.
WOMEN’S GOSPEL
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP)-Women Theological Forum (WTF) Kotri group conducted a seminar on Women’s Day Celebration on 8 March 2025 at Immaculate Conception Church, Kotri. The topic of the seminar was “Women’s Gospel”. Mrs. Neelam Adeel and Mrs. Abia Amir shared views during the seminar. During the seminar a book entitled “Women’s Gospel” launched. Mrs. Farzana Samson presented book review. This seminar was very thought provoking. The speaker shared that feminist reading of the gospel is very necessary in our context. They should reflect and read the biblical text in feminist perspective. The feminist reading of the bible is a way to grow in faith as a woman. Participants actively sharing their views. Mrs. Sajida Pervez (Chief Coordinator-Women Theological Forum-WTF) paid vote of thanks. All together 45 participants attended this seminar.*
