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Pakistanis of all faiths protect churches with human chains
France 24 ^ | 09/10/2013 | Gaelle Faure

Posted on 10/15/2013 7:14:36 PM PDT by Pan_Yan

For the past two Sundays, hundreds of Pakistanis of all faiths have formed human chains in front of churches during mass – first in Karachi, then in Lahore. This solidarity movement was launched in reaction to the terrorist attack that killed 81 worshippers at a church in Peshawar, making it the deadliest ever perpetrated against the country’s Christian minority.

Militant groups linked to the Pakistani Taliban said they carried out the September 22 bomb attack in response to US-led drone strikes. Christians have been targeted for their faith before, but previous attacks have usually taken the form of mob violence linked to blasphemy cases.

However, suicide bombings are quite frequent in Pakistan. Shia Muslims, who are also a minority, have been repeatedly targeted this year. Terrorist activity on the whole is steadily rising, with watchdog group South Asia Terrorism Portal reporting that more than 2,500 civilians have been killed so far this year, indicating that it is on course to surpass last year’s numbers and become the worst year on record.

Christians represent 1.6 percent of the country’s overwhelmingly Muslim population. It is the second largest minority group after Hindus.

...

We were inspired to do this after seeing Muslims form human chains to protect Coptic Christians in Egypt, when they were being attacked. We wanted to allow our Christian brothers and sisters here in Pakistan to have a moment of peace in church, when they are trying to connect with God and shouldn’t have to be worrying about their security. And of course, we also wanted to send a message to the Taliban and to the Pakistani government. To the Taliban: We disagree with you; to the government: If you don’t take effective measures to protect houses of God, we’ll have to do it ourselves.

(Excerpt) Read more at observers.france24.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: christians; coptic; goodwill; humanchain; minority; muslims; pakistan; solidarity; taliban
They are expanding to the churches in four cities this coming Sunday.
1 posted on 10/15/2013 7:14:36 PM PDT by Pan_Yan
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To: Pan_Yan

May God bless these good people. I don’t know if I’d have the nerve, especially to protect people not of “my own” faith community. I hope I would. Lord help us all.


2 posted on 10/15/2013 7:17:17 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all.)
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To: Pan_Yan
We were inspired to do this after seeing Muslims form human chains to protect Coptic Christians in Egypt, when they were being attacked.

Muslims protecting Christians????? I find this a little hard to believe.

3 posted on 10/15/2013 7:23:15 PM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Veteran, 70-71)
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To: Pan_Yan

Freedom reaches across the fence to your neighbor.

Truth cuts across doctrine at times...We are the Light of The World, should we choose to hold our lamp where the world can see it.


4 posted on 10/15/2013 7:26:57 PM PDT by One Name (Ultimately, the TRUTH is a razor's edge and no man can sit astride it.)
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To: Mark17
Copts Unite With Muslims After Islamist Attacks

The first steps towards gradual reconciliation in Al Quosia have already commenced, according to the Bishop. The day the armed Islamists attacked houses and stores in Bishop Thomas’ village, the Coptic Church started to communicate with moderate Muslims.

“Poor Muslim families brought blankets to the Christians who lost their homes, and together we formed a civil front– not Christians against Muslims– but civil society against extremism,” explained the Bishop.

Among the issues discussed jointly were defense-tactics and how to prevent any new attacks.

Images and video-clips from Muslims and Christians, who hand in hand formed a protective ring circle around churches, were shared on social media across the globe.

5 posted on 10/15/2013 7:29:15 PM PDT by Pan_Yan
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To: Pan_Yan

Men of good will


6 posted on 10/15/2013 7:33:25 PM PDT by Oratam (Thank you St. Jude!)
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To: Pan_Yan
Images and video-clips from Muslims and Christians, who hand in hand formed a protective ring circle around churches, were shared on social media across the globe.

Weil, let's hope it continues

7 posted on 10/15/2013 7:33:47 PM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Veteran, 70-71)
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To: Pan_Yan

Thank you for posting this!

This is one of the most beautiful examples I’ve ever seen of unconditional love.


8 posted on 10/15/2013 7:46:12 PM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the Seals of Extortion 17 - and God Bless America)
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To: Pan_Yan

Brave souls...God bless..


9 posted on 10/15/2013 7:48:16 PM PDT by wyowolf
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

Thanks Pan_Yan.


10 posted on 10/15/2013 7:52:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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To: Pan_Yan

This is excellent. Thank you so much for posting this piece of good news!


11 posted on 10/15/2013 8:19:17 PM PDT by jocon307
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To: Pan_Yan

“If anyone gives (one of my disciples) so much as a cup of cold water they shall not lose their reward”


12 posted on 10/15/2013 8:43:38 PM PDT by tjd1454
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To: One Name

THERE ARE GOOD MUSLIM PEOPLE IT IS ISLAM AND CULTURAL/ISLAM IN SO MANY COUNTRIES DOMINATED BY HATEFUL VIOLENT MEN.


13 posted on 10/17/2013 10:55:22 AM PDT by red irish (Gods Children in the womb are to be loved too!)
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To: red irish

The fact that Jews/Israelis have coexisted this long in the region with various entities is evidence supporting your thesis.

Romans 12:18 “18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”


14 posted on 10/17/2013 6:41:38 PM PDT by One Name (Ultimately, the TRUTH is a razor's edge and no man can sit astride it.)
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