Islamabad



Our first 'port of call', on arrival in Islamabad, was the Pakistan Monument and Heritage Museum. There were a number of people visiting but these two gentlemen, brothers, were very pleased to have their photos taken.  Their son struck up a conversation with us.  He told me he'd very much like to study engineering in New Zealand but didn't have enough funds.  As soon as our driver heard this he stopped the conversation.  He knew the direction it was going in ...

The monument itself  (photo below) is shaped as a blooming flower comprising four petals, built of granite representing the unity of the Pakistan people.  The inner walls of the petals are decorated with murals pertaining to Pakistan's history.
The museum includes a wax museum also depicting important events in the country's history.
   

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 



This is Sister Mariam, an American Jesus and Mary Sister who has been working in Pakistan for fifty years.
She has worked in setting up centres and schools for the poor.
At present she is in charge of the community of four sisters in Islamabad and also runs the school there.
Khatoon-e-Fatima School is the name of the school ... khatoon, in urdu, meaning 'lady'.
The school teaches girls and boys from age 4 - 16.  Lessons are in urdu, children also learn english and the school is open to
Muslims as well as Christians.
The children come from the slums of Islamabad and are brought to school by the school bus.
A uniform is compulsory to be admitted into the classroom which mean there is absolutely no discrimination made between the pupils.  They all turn up clean and tidy.
The school has a number of sponsors who help with providing uniforms.
Adolescent girls aged 12 - 15 are often removed from school in order to work, help at home or get married so the sisters try to give them every opportunity to realise the dreams they have for a brighter future.



 

You'll recognise the national flag of Pakistan            This is the uniform cabinet on the wall of the on ot the walkways

with the white star and crescent on a

                                                                                    in the school.  As I visited on Sunday last I didn't see the school in

green rectangle with a vertcal white strip                   

at the hoist.                                                                  action.  You can see though that all CJM schools have the same

The green represents Islam and the majority

Muslims.  The white, one fourth,                                uniform apart from the crest.

represents the minority.

                                                                                                        

These Christian women, working at the Monument, came forward
 to introduce themselves to the Sisters.  They then spoke to the man       
in th ticket office and we were given free entry.  Bless them!

 

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