Condemning terror: Scholars appeal for special prayers for attack victims

“It was a crime against humanity and it is against all civilised norms," says a statement.

LAHORE:

Several religious scholars appealed on Thursday for special prayers for victims of the Peshawar school attack.

“It was a crime against humanity and it is against all civilised norms. We should arrange prayers for all victims in mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and other worship places besides formal educational institutions including all madrassas,” said a statement issued on Thursday after a meeting of the Peace and Harmony Network Pakistan (PHNP), an assembly of representatives from various faiths. “Children should be safe in places where they live and learn,” the scholars said, adding that the schools should not be battlegrounds. PHNP member William said violence against children left a lasting impact on survivors, causing several problems that prevented them from leading productive lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2014.