A ‘tiny’ Christian community in Azad Jammu Kashmir celebrated Palm Sunday in Muzaffarabad City, as this annual ritual holds significance, symbolizing beginning of the ‘holy week’ leading up to Good Friday and Easter that marks resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a statement, Priest Faizan Riasat called Palm Sunday a time for reflection, prayer, and celebration within the Christian community, as they remember events leading to crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “We believe that observance of Palm Sunday underscores our deep-rooted faith and commitment to our religious traditions,” he said.
Marking the last Sunday of Lent and first day of a ‘holy week,’ Palm Sunday commemorates the day when Jesus Christ made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as per the Christian belief. Following Palm Sunday, Christians will observe Good Friday before celebrating Easter. Observance of Palm Sunday in Muzaffarabad City serves as a testament to the vibrant diversity, acceptance, and religious tolerance within societal fabric.
Following Palm Sunday, Christians will observe Good Friday before celebrating Easter
Leading a prayer procession near the riverside in Muzaffarabad City, Elder Riasat Masih informed gathering that Palm Sunday was also known as the Passion Sunday in honor of sufferings of Jesus Christ before his resurrection. During the mass, special prayers offered for the followers of Christianity besides prayers for the national progress, safety and prosperity of the state.
Palm Sunday is always a movable feast, as it falls on the Sunday before Easter. It is celebrated in all major churches, including Roman Catholic and Protestant. As per the Julian calendar, Palm Sunday falls on April 20 this year – 2025. In some churches, the palms are saved and burned into ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday of the next year. Some Christians fold the palm fronds into crosses and keep them in their homes.
Father Daniel Masih led prayers in Azad Kashmir’s only Catholic Church in Muzaffarabad
“We believe that residents of Jerusalem laid down their cloaks and branches of trees – palm and olive – in front of Jesus Christ to accord him a warm welcome,” said Asif Masih, caretaker of the only Catholic Church in Muzaffarabad City. “We want nothing but peace for everyone,” he said, adding that they have a message of love and peace, respect for all communities in the city and forgiveness.
Father Daniel Masih from Abbottabad led prayers in the Catholic Church, built in Muzaffarabad’s BandiSama area in 2018. The service involved a procession with palm branches, readings from the Holy Bible, and hymns, focusing on the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The father led prayers of thanksgiving, confession, and intercession, reflecting on the events of the week leading up to the crucifixion.
“All our holiest days invite us to reflect on values Jesus Christ lived by and died for, to reaffirm these ideals in our lives,” Saadia Masih, the church member in Muzaffarabad, told Risala Today. “We can give back to our communities with kindness and selflessness,” she said. Members of the local Muslim community extended greetings to Christians celebrating the holy week, acknowledging their contributions to the national development.
“O God, as we enter this holy week, renew our minds and spirits. We pray for peace in our hearts, homes, and our lovely society. May the palms we wave symbolize our commitment to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to live lives of service and compassion. Strengthen our faith and keep us faithful to you,” Mariam Masih, one of the educated Christians from Azad Kashmir, shared this widely-spread message with her fellows before and after the church service.
Azad Jammu Kashmir has a ‘tiny’ population of Christians – both Protestant and Catholic – and unofficial data estimated three to four thousand residents. Concentrated in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh and Bhimber districts, Christians are mostly considered as ‘settlers’ as few families have state subjects, as per the initial information. In 2020, then president Masood Khan had announced opening the doors of the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Muzaffarabad for Christians, and other minorities.
The president assured the delegation that the government would remove all hurdles in obtaining state subject certificates. He had said that demands regarding worship places, education and jobs for Christians in Azad Jammu Kashmir were valid and the state government would gradually address all their issues on ‘priority’ basis. It is pertinent to mention here that the state’s interim constitution guarantees freedom of religion, as well as every religious denomination and every sect has the right to establish, maintain and manage its places of worship.
