Dear Friends,
Greetings of love and peace.
We have just received the tragic news that Irfan Ali, URI Youth Trainer in Pakistan, has been martyred in Quetta.
We do not have many details, but according to his friend and roommate Fazian Hassan, Irfan was killed as he was helping people who had been injured in an earlier explosion.
Irfan brought such deep vision, energy, commitment and courage to realizing URI's purpose in his deeply troubled homeland. It is impossible to express the depth of grief we feel at the tragic loss of this bright life.
I pray that Irfan, his family and friends, the URI community in Pakistan and all the people of Pakistan be enfolded in God's gracious, healing light. I ask you to hold them all in your prayers and meditations.
We will share more information as we receive it.
Love,
Charles
The Rev Canon Charles P. Gibbs
Executive Director, United Religions Initiative