Pakistanis, it’s time to declare daringly that inhuman attacks such as these against any religion are ‘intolerable’.
KARACHI: On behalf of the entire Christian community in Pakistan, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the sympathies expressed by our Muslim brethren, religious scholars of Pakistan and humanity around the world for those affected by the barbaric attack on the church in Peshawar, on September 22. Throughout the day, the news media and talk-show anchors played a vital role in helping to draw attention and send a clear message that this is not acceptable and that Muslims and non-Muslims in Pakistan will remain united. We are deeply indebted and salute the armed forces that, on behalf of the citizens of Pakistan, have taken the task of engaging these terrorists and have also lost many souls.
Pakistanis, it’s time to declare daringly that inhuman attacks such as these against any religion are ‘intolerable’. No religion teaches one human to hate another and no human has the authority to end another human’s life.
To those who are responsible for the anarchy, whether the Taliban or terrorists, you have lost ground. Your uncivilised ways to achieve your motives are defaming Islam and its followers. In fact, your religion teaches you to influence others through your actions and good deeds. If only you were literate enough to understand that.
To the democratic leadership, we are disappointed in you. You don’t seem to know the direction you want to take. Your authority has been openly challenged even after you have offered negotiations and released several prisoners as a goodwill gesture. You still fail to realise that these are not Pakistanis, they are not even sane, and their ill intentions need to be crushed before they spread more terror. Is this not sufficient evidence, why are you still unable to make a decision?
Christians in Peshawar, you are a brave group to live among the animals that attacked you. We pray that God grants the survivors the courage to bear the loss of their loved ones and to forgive the culprits, as our religion teaches us to forgive and not take revenge.
Michael Desouza
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.
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