It was on the 27th of March, 2016 that the Christian community in Pakistan was celebrating the great feast of Easter. There was a great sense of jubilation and spiritual feelings were very high. All churches were packed with the faithful in several churches many Christians were sitting outside the churches to celebrate Easter Vigil and Easter Masses and prayer services. Myself, as a priest, also helped in a Dominican parish of St Luke in Lahore and offered 3 Masses on Easter Sunday. I was overwhelmed by the large number of Catholics gathered in the churches where I celebrated Masses. There was a great sense of joy, peace and spiritual satisfaction and renewal. When I returned to my Dominican House I shared with other friar that how nice it was that all ceremonies and programs at Holy Week and Easter celebrations have taken place peacefully all over Pakistan and no incident or attack on Christians is reported. And we were grateful to God for that.
It was after an hour at 6.45PM that a breaking news started coming on the news channels that there has been massive bomb blast in Lahore as one militant has exploded himself in a public park of Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Lahore. And that several people both Christians and Muslims are injured. I was shocked that such a violent attack has taken place right in the heart of the city of Lahore and in a public park where people go with their families and especially children for entertainment. Children love to go to this park for there are many items for entertainment for them to have a lot of fun by running around and have ice cream and so on. This park is very popular and it is spread to 76 acres.
Since it was Easter Sunday, Christian families; men, women and children had flocked to this site for having fun and enjoyment. It is very common in Lahore that on festivals such a Christmas and Easter Christians go there with their families. The Muslims also take their families on various festivals, holidays on Sundays. So this was the day 27th of March that Gulshan-e-Iqbal was packed with families.
This suicide attack carried out by one militant Islamic organization called Jamaat-ul-Aharar a splinter group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility of this attack and they have also declared that their main target were Christians as they were celebrating Easter.
This tragic incident has left the entire Pakistani nation in a great state of shock and unbelief. This attack was the worst one in the history of Lahore which has resulted in the death of 76 persons, including; men, women and children and over 350 injured. There are 32 Christians who lost their lives and dozens of them are injured. Most of the victims are Muslims. Apparently the main target of the militants were Christians.
The Christians in Pakistan belong to the poorest classes and they are the most vulnerable. They are the soft and easy target of the extremists. It is spiritually inspiring to observe that in spite several deadly attacks on Christians, the Christian community remains very firm in her faith. In spite of persecutions and constant suffering and discrimination the number of Church goer in Pakistan is growing and has increased tremendously. Their faith is like a rock which cannot be shaken. We believe that Jesus in our Lord. He suffered, died and rose again on the 3rd day. Christ is Risen from the dead. He is not going to die anymore. We are not afraid of sufferings and persecutions. Christ is an example, par excellence for us, he suffered, died and rose again on the 3rd day. We are followers of a living Lord Jesus Christ. He lives forever and ever! These suffering do not falter or weaken our faith. We profess with great commitment that Jesus is Lord!
Many Muslims in Pakistan have consoled us. The Muslim religious and other leaders have condemned this heinous attack in the strongest words possible. They have joined us for candle light vigils, prayer services and have issued press releases. Most of the Pakistan Muslims are peace loving Muslim and condemn all sort of harm, discrimination and attacks against Christians. It is only a small number of misguided radical groups who attack us and Muslim as well.
I have organized a Interfaith Memorial Service at our Peace Center in Lahore on 2nd of April in which Muslims, Christians and Hindu religious leaders, human rights activists and promoter of interfaith dialogue, peace and harmony will participate. This memorial service is organized by the URI Pakistan and Peace Center, Lahore. We strongly condemn this act of terrorism and demand from the government of Pakistan to take measure to stop killing in the name of religion. And to arrest culprits and bring them to justice. Christians in general are living in a grave state of fear and uncertainty. They feel helpless such horrific circumstances.
The present depressing situation in Pakistan urges to play more active and positive role in promoting Christian-Muslim dialogue, to organize seminars and public forums for the purpose peaceful co-existence and respect for all. And also to have strong faith formation of our poor and vulnerable and persecuted Christian community. We, as the promoters of interfaith and Christian-Muslim dialogue, have committed ourselves to do more in this field. So that we become instruments of healing, reconciliation, respect for all and peaceful co-existence. And also play our integral in changing the mindset of the radicals. Which seems difficult but not impossible. It is one of the great challenges for us.
To meet these challenges we need your prayers, spiritual and moral support. With your support we shall overcome – someday!
May Peace Prevail On Earth!
Fr James Channan OP
Director
Peace Center, Lahore Pakistan
URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan
