On Easter Sunday, a terrorist bombing attack struck an amusement park in Lahore, Pakistan, where many families and children congregated. The attack targeted the Christian minority and killed at least 70 people, including 29 children. Over the same weekend, terrorists also bombed a mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria, killing at least 22 worshippers, and a suicide bomber targeted a soccer game in Iskandariya, Iraq, killing at least 30 people and wounding at least 100.
The URI community gathers in the face of these global tragedies to send prayers, love, sympathy, and support to our brothers and sisters in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Iraq, and to condemn acts of violence worldwide.
Today I heard back from Fr. James Channan and Sabina Rifat that they are OK, but that the bombing in Lahore is devastating. We send our love and prayers to all those impacted by this violence. The purpose of these kinds of attacks is to divide the world and convince us that peace among people of different traditions is not possible.
URI's purpose is to tell the world that not only is such peace possible, but that it is a reality in communities around the world. Each Cooperation Circle is a radical affirmation of peace, and no matter how extreme the extremists become, we will not alter our mission to bring peace, justice and healing to the Earth and all living beings. Fr. James, Sabina and the URI Pakistan team are powerful examples of this kind of steadfast commitment to peace.
In peace...
The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian Jr.
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative
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Yes Victor and our prayers and our hearts are with Father James and all our URI family members in Pakistan.
Love and blessings,
Dra. Enoé Texier
Regional Coordinator for URI Latin America and the Caribbean
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We strongly condemn the terrorism in Gulshan e Iqbal Lahore. 70 people are killed and around 310 are injured in this terrorist attack. There is blood everywhere. We request the peoples of the world to please pray for peace in Pakistan.
Asad Yameen
Lahore Pakistan
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Greetings from Helsinki.
It is so sad to hear such sad news again. Now from Lahore and the park of families and children.
We continue to be here in prayers.
The peacework URI does is most needed.
Nahla and I were at the Good Morning Finland TV show to tell about the digital storytelling project to stop discrimination. The first videoclips under this campaign Kohtaan sinut are about islamophobia. We shared some thoughts about this matter and the importance of interfaith dialogue with the foreign minister of Finland Timo Soini, whom we met between our and his interview. Our interview has received positive attention.
With Easter greetings,
Heidi Rautionmaa
Former URI Global Council Trustee and European Executive Committee member
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Dear URI Family,
Our hearts go out to the dead and the wounded from the savage bombing at the Gulshan e Iqbal park in Lahore, Pakistan. The numbers of dead wounded vary widely from 44 to 70 dead and from 91 to 310 wounded, many critically. Whatever the numbers, we all know that even one dead is too many and one wounded is too many from such terrorism.
It seems that many of the dead and wounded were Christian families visiting the park with their children on Easter Sunday. The bomb went off near children's rides. We have also heard that the park was guarded by police guards and private security guards. Someone just slipped through and authorities think at this moment that it was a suicide bombing.
May the souls of the dead be lifted to the highest heights, may the wounded receive the best care possible and have all possible healing and may all the families, the communities and the people of Pakistan be comforted in their mourning for this tragedy.
With blessings of peace for all everywhere,
Rabbi Pamela Frydman
Supporting Yezidis and Assyrians facing genocide
On behalf of
Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
Marin Interfaith Council
Silicon Valley Interreligious Council
Interfaith Center at the Presidio
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Amen and Amen to all that you say here Pam.
George from New Zealand
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Pakistan Easter Bombing Update: I spoke with Patras Dewan and Zubaida Dewan (Zubbi) this morning. They were at the bombing when it happened yesterday. Both are safe and preparing for visits and assistance to victims in the hospitals tomorrow.
Patras confirmed that sadly, several Pakistan Global Healing members’ friends and children were killed in the incident.
Patras, Zubbi, Gulfam, and other leaders in Pakistan Global Healing are true heroes in their work to bring human rights, peace, justice, and sustainability to Pakistan.
Update: Members of our Global Healing CC have friends and family killed in yesterday's Easter bombing.
David Randle, URI Multiregion
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We just learned that on Friday, March 25th, a suicide bomber struck at a soccer game sponsored by Asaib Ahl al-Haq in Iskandariya in the Republic of Iraq. Over 30 people were killed and over 100 wounded. The mayor of Iskandariya was among the dead.
In the midst of so much tragedy in Iraq, this breaks the heart afresh. Please hold the dead and wounded, their families and the city of Iskandariya in your prayers.
Rabbi Pamela Frydman
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My heart goes out to all families and others who were devastated by death and wounded.
How can any one or group of people be so cruel as to hurt or kill anyone else, no one knows!
War is unfair to all who cause it.
With concern, and sympathy,
Margaret Jones
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Dear All,
Yes it is a brutal action. God save us from this kind of evil.
Miss Naseem George T.I
Coordinator
Seeds of Peace CC
Sargodha - Pakistan.
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Thoughts and Prayers for Nigeria
Yesterday on the same day that Pope Francis washed the feet of an interfaith group of refugees including three Muslims, in a sign of deepest love and respect for sisters and brothers of all religions during one of Christianity's most sacred ceremonies, terrorists bombed a Mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria killing at least 22 worshippers. Love and hate, side by side. We weep for our sisters and brothers in Nigeria who are suffering daily from extreme violence and send our thoughts and prayers as we commit ourselves to continue to work tirelessly for peace in region together with our extraordinary URI West Africa team led by URI peace-builders Honorable Elisha Buba Yero and Emmanuel Ivorgba.
In peace...
The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian Jr.
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative
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We know that the gestures of love are more than those of violence but they aren't as widely known. Let us keep up working for peace and loving dearly and make this contagious and known!
Maria Eugenia Crespo de Mafia
Director of Cooperation Circle Support, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Thank you so much for your deep prayers for us in Nigeria.
We truly appreciate. We hope to see good light soon, God willing.
Best Regards,
CEED Nigeria Cooperation Circle
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Greetings and thanks sincerely.
The good news for our world is that those who are on the side of peace are in a clear majority. One step at a time, "Lion and Lamb" will dwell together again.
Sincerely,
Emmanuel Ivorgba, Regional Coordinator, URI West Africa
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
With deep sorrow we, Egyptian Council of Arakhna (elders) and Wise - a URI CC in Egypt, mourn the victims of Maiduguri's mosque terror attack, pray for their relatives and express total solidarity with URI West Africa in its noble mission. Meanwhile, please, let us also remember all the victims of other terror attacks in Nigeria, and I quote from a paper of mine entitled "Youth and Religious Radicalism: A Threat to Respect of Religious Plurality in Africa" presented at the All Africa Conference of Churches congress in 2015 held in Nairobi, Kenya: "A man laughing while talking about his crimes of abduction and slavery of little children is such an example for a very disturbed radicalist and I have no doubt that many of us may even have thought that such a human being doesn’t exist until we’ve watched a video for the leader of “BokoHaram” Abubakar Shekau talking about the poor school girls whom he abducted; of course we can’t offer Shekau a medical treatment unless he’s first in prison and in all cases such treatment won’t excuse him or his followers from the death penalty they deserve especially after the horrible massacre in the diocese of Maiduguri that harvested the souls of more than 2500 Christian Nigerians." At the end of the paper, I've suggested some short term as well as some long term measures to stop such horrible violence from keeping recurring again and again.
In peace,
Mina T. Kelleni, Ph.D., M.D.
Assistant Professor (Lecturer) of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt. Coptic orthodox and inter-faith researcher. Chairman of the Egyptian Council of Arakhna and Wise (ECAW), a URI CC promoting equal opportunities, peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians, early conflict resolution and transformation defending the helpless regardless of any discrimination.
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May Peace Prevail On Earth and people may have respect for co-existence and universe itself. God bless the victims.
Jahangir Piara
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May Peace Prevail in Nigeria and May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Yuel Bhatti, Executive Secretary, United Religions Initiative Pakistan
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Your consoling words to Nigerians and the world are indeed the manifestation of URI love to humanity, the pride of our heritage. The words will surely inspire all peace lovers to put their best until good overcome evil.
Thank you and blessed Easter.
Honorable Elisha Buba Yero
URI Global Council Trustee, Jos, Nigeria
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So sad to hear about the attacks in Brussels, Lahore and other really
heart-breaking violence around the world. Greetings of solidarity and
friendship. May peace prevail.
Many warm greetings from
Karimah Stauch, URI Europe Coordinator
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Thank you very much dear Rev. Victor for your solidarity message.
"A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more" (Mat 2 : 18)
With broken hearts and very grieved souls we mourn the new victims of hatred, terror and ignorance in Pakistan but we also strongly believe that they're now celebrating Easter sitting down "with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Mat 8 : 11). We pray that "God, who comforts the downcast" (2Co 7 : 6) will comfort the souls of their relatives through his Holy Spirit totally believing in the One "who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2Co 1 : 4). Amen.
Sincerely,
Mina T. Kelleni, Ph.D., M.D.
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We have had so much trauma and terror in the world in the past week, but also so many celebrations of life in different spiritual traditions. I am eternally grateful for organisations like URI who will respond to the terror by redoubling efforts in peacebuilding and interfaith harmony. Love conquers all.
In peace always,
Berry Gargan
Southern Africa Cooperation Circle Liaison
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Update, April 2, 2016:
I am sure all of you have heard by now, about the horrific suicide bomb blast which took place in a public entertainment park "Gulshan-e-Iqbal", Lahore in Pakistan on 27th of March at 6.45pm.
It was one of the most devastating suicide bombing which took place in Pakistan. It was Easter Sunday and many Christians had gone to this park with their family members, especially children to have a fun time. Many Muslims families had also flocked there for it was a Sunday holiday. But they never thought that recreation trip will turn into a tragedy and some of their family member will be separated from them and gone ever!!!! May their souls rest in peace!
This bombing was an act of terrorism against humanity. It was a barbaric attack. No one with a human heart can be so merciless and violent to attack innocent, men, women and children. It is devastating attack till now 76 people have have been killed, men, women and children, over 350 are injured some seriously and some will remain paralyzed throughout their lives. What a tragedy. We condemn this act in the strongest words possible.
With the grace of God, the staff of URI at its Regional Office in Lahore and all other URI members of safe in Lahore. However, we are witness a lot of cries, helplessness and lamentation of both Christian and Muslims around us in various houses. The tragedy and cannot be explained enough in words and we cannot express enough words how to comfort and console those who have lost their dear ones; mother, father, son, daughter, wife and other relatives in this brutal attack.
In such circumstances, your prayers, moral and spiritual support is very much needed.
The URI Regional Office in Pakistan and Peace Center have organized Interfaith Prayer Service on 2nd of April, 2016, Saturday at Peace Center in Lahore. There will Muslims, Christians and Hindu religious leaders and promoters of peace and interfaith harmony will participate and will share their comments, pray and we will also light candles for the victims of this carnage.
In such circumstance I believe we as members of URI have great role to play to bring comfort, consolation healing and raise our voice for justice.
Here is one contact.
Some of you have sent your words of consolation, and expressed deep concern for us, especially; Victor Kazanjian, Maria, Kiran Bali, Sally, Ari, Bart, Marianne Horling, Monica Willard, Gaia and Heidi etc. I am very grateful to you for your sympathies with us in this very crucial and hard time.
May Peace Prevail On Earth!
May Peace Prevail in Pakistan!
fr James Channan OP
URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan.
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Dear Father James,
So sad to hear the news of terrorist attacks again and again from Pakistan, which is most painful. Is there no end for this? These are the times when we become helpless. We can bring down even nuclear weapons, but to contain those violent and silent killers is a Herculean task.
We join you in spirit as you organise these prayers.
Warm regards,
Abraham Karickam
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Dear Father James,
Thank you for sharing such a heart felt letter regarding the senseless tragedy in Lahore on March 27th. Today, April 2nd , in southern Alabama, we are gathering with various faith leaders and community members to discuss and to pray for Peace and grassroots efforts that can make a difference in transforming our communities into safe havens for our children. We will take a few moments at the beginning to send our prayers to the people of Lahore as you come together today to pray for Peace.
May Peace Prevail on Earth,
Audri Scott Williams
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Dear James,
I join your prayer and memorial events with meditation.
May peace prevail on Pakistan and around world!
Dr. Jinwol Lee, URI Asia's Regional Coordinator for Korea
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Dear Fr. James,
I admire your compassion, courage, and creativity to hold healing events to strengthen and comfort people after such atrocities through interfaith unity. Unfortunately I know personally the devasting effects of suicide bombers in Jerusalem targeting civilians -- women and children - to create terror and suffering. Our antidote is to strengthen the truth of our religions with compassion for everyone. We have been sending prayers from Jerusalem to Lahore to comfort the bereaved and strengthen the families of the wounded who all should have a speedy and complete recovery.
Blessings and love,
Elana Rozenman
Executive Director
TRUST - Emun
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Dear Father James, thank you for your update. Our love and prayers are with you and with all of our sisters and brothers in Pakistan.
This is indeed a very difficult time and we stand with you in solidarity.
Thank you to all of the URI Pakistan team for their leadership to promote hope, peace, justice and healing at such challenging times.
The interfaith memorial service will be a powerful moment of renewed unity to challenge violence and hatred.
May Peace prevail in Pakistan,
May Peace prevail on Earth,
In prayer with you all,
Kiran Bali MBE JP, URI Global Chairperson
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Dear Father James, dear friends!
This is a great tragedy not only for the people of Pakistan but for the whole humanity; We all are addressing with prayers to God to take care of those souls whose bodies were destroyed and of those family members who are crying today. This is like a plague of old times. But in the past people could somehow manage with plague. Step number one was cleansing the territory to get rid of dirt. At that time the dirt was just physical dirt, today the dirt is in human minds.
Let us try to look deeper into the reason of this plague of our days. There are political reasons, social as well as spiritual. My spiritual Teacher Baba Virsa Singh was born in the area, which is called Pakistan today. He once (in 1980s) helped to stop rebel of the young people who behaved actually like terrorists in Misoram. (India) He went unarmed to speak to them in their camp. Whom he saw? The youngsters who had to hide all the time, living in tents or just sleeping on the ground, who left their families and missed them. But at home they had no jobs, no means for living. In anger they started their rebel. After that There was a serious talk with local authorities and the situation was calmed down with creating new jobs, helping the young people to learn some profession etc.
Of course the situation has changed since than, but there is always a glimpse of Light at the end of tunnel. We, people can't live a normal life under the eternal pressure of the thought, "who is the next?" and to "pour ashes on the heads". I am sure we (not only URI people who already work with the youngsters) but all should pay more attention to the youth, to their needs. Let us try to speak to them wherever we can, to find out motifs and reasons of why this or that boy\girl decided to join abnormal way of life. As we know not only young Muslims join terroristic org-s today. Why not to let them speak through mass media, in TV programs (the faces can be covered) asking them what pushed them to join terrorism. What don't they like in the way of life today?
And maybe their answers will give a chance for dialogue at any rate.
I am sorry if you consider my thoughts to be so naive, but please, suggest something else to stop this Plague. Only step by step we can make a difference. Jesus said: love your enemies" He didn't mean that we should love them with our usual earthly love. It should be the love of understanding and even we should be able to feel sorry for those who have chosen this way. We should pray for them as well. They are misled by those whose have their own motifs.
Galina Ermolina
Euro-Asia CC
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Dear Galina Ermolina,
Your words are not at all “naive” and are very valuable for me at least and many others I have no doubt. Thank you for taking the trouble and time to offer your thoughts, rich with experience, to us. Such exchange of thoughts and opinions and perceptions are extremely valuable.
What your spiritual teacher reported from his own experience is very true of many alienated young people today in New Zealand. And our country is a comparatively wealthy just and peaceful place. One of our wise spiritual teachers has said that there is “no salvation without the poor”. So we all have to deepen and increase our thoughts and actions. URI is doing well when it has people like yourself sharing of yourself so sensitively and wisely.
George Armstrong from New Zealand
