Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) Update Activity from July to September 2025
Online Sessions: Contextual Theology for Laity
Contextual Theology for Laity-Online Sessions is a three-year project (2024-2026). Two evening sessions are conducted on Saturdays twice a month. The total registered members for the Online Sessions in 2025 are 65 from different cities of Pakistan and from Overseas Australia, Dubai, California, USA, Kuwait. A total of 6 online sessions are conducted.
The following topics were presented by the speakers: Puran Bhagath by Rev. Rana Youab, Role and Ministry of Women by Ms. Erum Pervez, Universal Churches and Local Churches by Ms. Sana Iqbal, Blessed among the women-Vol-II by Ms. Anita Kiran, Gawahi by Mr. Shamoon Gill, and Women’s Gospels’ by Ms. Neelam Adeel. All together 259 participants attended these sessions.
Theological Capacity Building Program (TCBP): Theology of Liberation
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) successfully conducted its annual four-day Theological Capacity Building Program (TCBP) from June 24 to 27, 2025, at the Franciscan Friary in Karachi.
The central theme was “Theology of Liberation.” The program hosted 51 participants from across Pakistan, aiming to deepen their understanding of liberation theology. The event featured opening remarks by Ms. Sunita Hameed, an introduction to MAP by Ms. Siama Shoukat, and a talk on aims by Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress-MAP).
The core sessions and workshops covered key topics such as: Introduction of Liberation Theology (Ms. Naureen Akhtar), Option for the Poor (Mr. Hamid Henry), Salvation and Liberation (Ms. Sana Iqbal), Church and Liberation (Mr. Shamoon Gill), and Spirituality of Liberation (Ms. Afshan Erum).
The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to all 51 attendees by Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar and other MAP officials.
Seminar: Faith and Freedom
In celebration of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, the Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP), organized a seminar on August 14, 2025. The event took place at the Theological Institute for Laity (TIL), Sadhoke, under the compelling theme, “Faith and Freedom.” The event started with a flag-hoisting ceremony to honor the nation’s freedom.
Mr. Yousaf Masih opened the seminar with a prayer, and a candle was lit to symbolize unity, peace, and hope. The participants launched a book titled “Salvation and Liberation” and presented a tableau about faith and freedom. The main speaker, Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress-MAP), spoke on “Freedom, Faith, and Peace.” She stressed that true freedom is both political freedom and the spiritual freedom found through faith in God. She said that freedom and peace are gifts that must be nurtured through justice, love, and respect, using quotes from the Bible. Master Joseph Nayear, Mr. Ayub Jacob, and Pastor Saleem Masih shared their final thoughts, urging everyone to live peacefully and unitedly. 89 participants attended this seminar.
Celebration of 1700 Years of the Nicaea Council
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) held a three-day seminar from July 17 to 19, 2025, at the Theological Institute for Laity (TIL), Sadhoke, to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD).
The seminar focused on the significance of the Council and the Nicene Creed, affirming the divinity of Christ and promoting Christian unity. The program began with a Eucharistic prayer led by Rev. Fr. Inayat Barnard, Rev. Emmanuel Asi, and Rev. Fr. Salman Manzoor.
Speakers presented various theological and historical topics, including: Occidental and Oriental Background of Nicaea (Fr. Shahzad Aquinas, OP), Historical and Political Context (Fr. Raphael Mehnga, OP), The Council: Then and Now of 1700 Years (Fr. Emmanuel Asi), The Ecumenical Dialogue of the Nicene Creed (Ms. Sana Iqbal), Christology of Nicaea (Mr. Shahbaz Francis), and The Creed and Christian Worship (Mr. Mushtaq Asad).
A total of 50 participants engaged actively in discussions. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Directress – MAP), followed by a group photo.
Seminars: Celebration of Years of the Nicaea Council
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) concluded a series of four regional seminars in the Archdiocese of Karachi and Hyderabad Diocese in September 2025, commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD).
The seminars aimed to promote reflection on the Council’s enduring significance for faith and unity today, drawing inspiration from the early Church’s vision for truth and justice.
A total of 422 participants attended the four sessions held at: September 12: Dominican House, Karachi (75 participants), September 16: St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Latifabad (80 participants), September 17: Joti Educational-Cultural Center, Mirpurkhas (140 participants) and September 18: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Kotri (127 participants).
Speakers at each location reflected on the Council’s pastoral, historical, and theological aspects, urging attendees to apply its message to their contemporary situation. Participants actively engaged in discussions and personal introspection.
Doctrines Revisited: A Feminist Interpretation
The Women Theological Forum (WTF) of Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) held a seminar on “Doctrines Revisited: A Feminist Interpretation” on September 11, 2025, at Dominican House, Karachi.
The session, facilitated by Ms. Shahla Paul, opened with a prayer and a Bible reading. Ms. Sonia Rizwan introduced the WTF’s goal of empowering women through theological reflection.
The main speaker, Ms. Anita Kiran, encouraged the 65 participants to engage with theological concepts critically and contextually. Fr. Emmanuel Asi (Chairperson – MAP) also contributed theological observations to the discussion. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar (Director – MAP).
Women and God
Maktaba-e-Anaveem Pakistan (MAP) held a three-day seminar, “Women and God,” under its Women Theological Forum (WTF) platform from September 19 to 21, 2025, at the Theological Institute for Laity (TIL), Sadhoke.
The seminar hosted 51 participants from across Pakistan. It began with a prayer, a symbolic candle-lighting ceremony, and the launch of the book “Women and God.”
Ms. Attia Saleem introduced the WTF, and Ms. Sunita Hameed presented the seminar’s objectives.
Key speakers covered critical topics: Ms. Sana Iqbal: “Biblical Perspective on Women”, Ms. Naureen Akhtar: “Our World, the World of the Bible: A Re-Interpretation” (including a workshop), Dr. Farhana Anthony Nazir: “Women’s Perspective on the Bible” and Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar: “Women and Patriarchy in the Church”.
The program featured active group discussions, a Eucharistic Prayer led by Rev. Fr. Amir Yousaf, and concluded with the awarding of certificates to all attendees. Mrs. Alishbah Javed Akhtar, Directress of MAP, delivered the final vote of thanks.*
