Fearing attack, Christians avoid the outdoors on Easter

Last year, over 70 people were killed in a suicide blast in Lahore on Easter

KARACHI: We did not plan any outings due to security reasons, especially considering last year's blast in Lahore on Easter.

Twenty-eight-year-old Cynthia Edward, a Roman Catholic, said this on Easter Sunday while talking to The Express Tribune. The Christian community observed Easter across the city on Sunday, confining their celebrations to church premises and homes. Over 70 people were killed as a suicide bomber blew himself up on Easter Sunday last year trend has changed." She added that Easter is now more about family gatherings and dinners.



Special prayers, ceremonies and rituals were carried out in all the big and small churches across the city to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Catholic community's spokesperson in Karachi, Father Saleh Diego, told The Express Tribune that Easter prayers and Mass take place every year at midnight.

"Shab-e-Bedari prayers are conducted in all the small churches earlier while the main services take place in all the big churches after 3am," he said, adding that the services last for up to three hours.



This day is celebrated as Christ rose from the dead on this day, Father Diego said, explaining the celebrations. "He [Christ] gave his life for humanity and for sinners, which is why we celebrate his resurrection," he added.

If Christ would not have resurrected, Christianity would not have been what it is today, said Father Diego. "The roots of our faith are in Easter," he said.

"In our religion, it is believed that our Lord suffered, upheld his passion, died for the wrongdoings of the world and sacrificed his life for us," he explained, referring to certain verses of the Bible. "Christ was buried but rose on the third day of his crucifixion in order to give us eternal life."



Families go to church, meet relatives and enjoy with their families on Easter Sunday.

"There is no specific practice other than the prayers. Everyone can enjoy the way they want," shared a student, Simon Shahid.

The celebrations stretch over almost a week from Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday to Easter Sunday, Shahid said. "We also make small bunnies and colourful eggs for children just to make them happy," he shared.