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 countrys 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 years numbers and become the worst year on record.
Christians represent 1.6 percent of the countrys overwhelmingly Muslim population. It is the second largest minority group after Hindus.
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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 shouldnt 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 dont take effective measures to protect houses of God, well have to do it ourselves.
(Excerpt) Read more at observers.france24.com ...
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.
Muslims protecting Christians????? I find this a little hard to believe.
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.
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.
Men of good will
Weil, let's hope it continues
Thank you for posting this!
This is one of the most beautiful examples I’ve ever seen of unconditional love.
Brave souls...God bless..
Thanks Pan_Yan.
This is excellent. Thank you so much for posting this piece of good news!
“If anyone gives (one of my disciples) so much as a cup of cold water they shall not lose their reward”
THERE ARE GOOD MUSLIM PEOPLE IT IS ISLAM AND CULTURAL/ISLAM IN SO MANY COUNTRIES DOMINATED BY HATEFUL VIOLENT MEN.
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.”
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