US churches hold special services for Pak church victims

DALLAS: Local churches in Dallas-Fort Worth held special services for the 81 dead and 147 injured in the suicide attack on a Christian church last Sunday in Peshawar.

Pastor Giyan Deen of All Nation Lutheran Church of Plano and Presbyterian Church pastor George Maseeh and South Asian Presbyterian Church of Garland's pastor Oliver Jamshed held special prayers for the victims of the deadly attack.

Addressing the church gatherings they said that Christian communities around the world are very much concerned on the pain and suffering Pakistani Christians have gone through from the heartless act of violence. They said that a handful of people are trying to achieve their nefarious designs through targeting minority communities in Pakistan.

Local Pakistani Christian leaders Arif Bhatti and Pervez Shahzad also condemned the Peshawar bombing of Christian church and killing of innocent and peaceful members of Christian community. They said that Christians are peaceful community and this kind of cowardly acts will not end stop us in spreading the message of peace and love of Christianity.

They said that we always believed that a good Muslim protects the lives and livelihood of minorities but a small group of bandits are enemies of not only Christianity but also of Islam.

Moreover, Pakistan American Association of Texas (PAAT) in a special emergency joint board and executive committee meeting condemned the dastardly act of violence against the house of worship of Christian community of Pakistan on 21st September.

Loss of 81 innocent lives and injuries to more than 200 Pakistanis of Christian faith is devastating not only to Christians but the whole Pakistani nation.

PAAT President Dr. Amer Suleman expressing the sorrow over the shameful act of few extremists said that "Every drop of Pakistani blood is precious for Pakistan regardless of race, creed, ethnicity and religion. People of Pakistan should unite against the existential threat Pakistan is facing from extremism and fanaticism".

He further said that government of Pakistan should guarantee the safety of all its citizen and especially religious minorities. Pakistani Christian community has great contribution in Pakistan's development and is integral part of Pakistani nationalism. Their contributions are not limited to arts and culture but are part of Pakistani traditions in law, science and in Pakistan's defense forces.

Christian community's contributions in the field of education are a hallmark of Pakistani scholarship. Pakistani society should join hands to protect the state from barbaric and shameful acts of few extremists.

PAAT in a unanimously passed resolution demanded all state institutions to work together above all political considerations in protection of Pakistani citizens irrespective of race, creed, gender and religion. Special arrangements should be made to protect religious institutions of all faiths and sects and places of worships.