Niswani Muharkati Theology (NMT), an emerging framework that places the lived realities of Pakistani women and marginalized communities at the center of Christian reflection, was introduced by the Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah at the Fifth National Theological Workshop of the Ecumenical Forum for Theologically Trained Women in Pakistan. The gathering took place at the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi from 23 to 25 October 2026 under the theme “From Silence to Solidarity: Women Leading Transformative Action for Justice and Child Protection.” Close to one hundred theologians, church leaders, and ecumenical partners took part.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”Proverbs 31:8–9 · Theme verse of the workshop

For the first time in the Forum’s workshop history, men were invited and took part as full participants. Organizers described the change as a significant step toward shared leadership, mutual learning, and transformative solidarity between women and men.

Reimagining Faith: What NMT Offers

Rooted in the lived realities of Pakistani women and marginalized communities, NMT offers an emerging contextual, liberatory, and transformative theological framework that connects faith, critical reflection, and action. It calls women and men to become Muharkeen, catalysts of justice, reconciliation, and transformation.

“Faith without works is dead.”James 2

Justice: Challenging Structures of Injustice

The keynote address was given by Prof. Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, an internationally renowned Asian feminist and postcolonial theologian. Her reflections challenged participants to engage critically with structures of injustice and to embrace faith-inspired, transformative action. Ms. Naureen Akhtarar provided an Urdu translation of the address, which was followed by a lively question-and-answer session.

Women’s Leadership in Scripture

Two Bible studies anchored the gathering. Ms. Nargis Azhar reflected on Exodus 1–2, highlighting the courage and solidarity of the women who resisted oppression to protect the infant Moses. Ms. Ruby Naeem reflected on Luke 10:25–37, exploring how the Good Samaritan calls believers to cross social and religious boundaries and to turn compassion into courageous action.

Child Protection: From Awareness to Action

A panel examined child protection and exploitation from social, legal, and theological perspectives. It featured:

• Ms. Humna Kamran
• Ms. Nabila Feroze Bhatti
• Ms. Jennifer Jag-Jiwan
• Facilitator: Ms. Saleema Munir

The presentations and group discussions that followed pressed participants to move beyond concern toward collective advocacy, practical action, and greater accountability in protecting vulnerable children.

United at the Lord’s Table

The workshop culminated in an ecumenical service of Holy Communion, celebrated jointly by the Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah and Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah, Director of the Christian Study Centre. His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Chairman of the Christian Study Centre, delivered the homily, challenging those present to live out Christ’s message of love, justice, and compassionate service. Women and men worshipping together at the close expressed the workshop’s spirit of Christian unity, shared discipleship, and solidarity in God’s mission.

Our Faith, Our Calling, Our Commitment

The workshop closed with a renewed collective commitment to protect vulnerable children, empower women, challenge injustice, and strengthen ecumenical and interfaith solidarity. The gathering reaffirmed that faith cannot remain confined to words or theological reflection. It must become a living witness through courageous leadership, compassionate service, and transformative action.

About the author

Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah

A pioneering religious leader and social activist, known as the first Pakistani woman to study theology and the first Pakistani woman ordained as a priest. She introduced Niswani Muharkati Theology at the Fifth National Theological Workshop.