In pictures: On a high this Christmas — with sweets, not drugs

'To be away from loved ones on Christmas can be infinitely more difficult for those battling demons of drug abuse'

KARACHI: It was like most days but there was an air of festive anticipation.

Men of varying ages were scuttling around amidst a flurry of activity, echoes of church bells and whistles of the pressure cooker.

The serene settings, located smack in the middle of Karachi, presented a stark contrast to the bustling sounds of the sprawling metropolis.

A former addict helps with decorations at the rehab.

A depiction of the Nativity scene put together by patients at a drug rehabilitation facility in Karachi.

Christmas decorations spruce up the rehab hallway.

The preparations are disrupted by calls for prayer, with the young men gathering inside the chapel for their daily ritual, part of the faith-based healing offered to addicts at the Ibtida Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

Ibtida, which means ‘beginning’, has been offering rehabilitation services since 1985 based on the fundamentals of abstinence, repentance, fellowship and service.

Patients at the rehab attend evening prayer as part of faith-based healing.

The chapel has been designed to symbolise the 'holy light' penetrating the 'concrete walls of vice' to give hope and aid healing.

Artwork done by patients to illustrate dangers of drug and alcohol abuse displayed at the centre.

Patients waiting for their turn during a counselling session at Ibtida.

 

It also provides a homely and comforting environment for recovering addicts, known as ‘rehab fellows’, all year round but also during a time that is synonymous with family and festivity.

“To be away from your loved ones at a time of joy and celebrating can be challenging for anyone, but it is infinitely more difficult for those battling the demons of substance abuse,” says Reverend Julian Justine, Ibtida’s director.

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A man of the cloth, Rev Julian is liberal in quoting from the Bible and sets great store in the healing at offer— which includes Bible study for those of the Christian faith as well as daily mass at the chapel.

Reverend Julian in his office as Christmas preparations enter the final furlong.

Those admitted to the rehab can also attend mass once a week at the majestic and imposing Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is located on the same piece of church land where the rehab is located.

The imposing and grand Holy Trinity Cathedral, illuminated ahead of Christmas, stands behind the rehabilitation centre.

“Muslims, Hindus and people of other faith have also benefited from the treatment on offer as long as there is a genuine desire to repent and to embrace the bounteous offerings of the Lord,” says the reverend.

It is also reflected in the cross-section of people who volunteer at the rehab, including the John family, who put together a special Christmas meal for those admitted there.

Volunteers put together a special Christmas feast for the patients and staff of the drug rehabilitation centre.

While they cooked, the young men wrapped presents and decorated the Christmas tree, and others tuned the instruments and those part of the choir belted out some choice notes.

There are also undercurrents of concern and the trepidation of returning to the ‘real world’ beyond the bolted door of Ibtida. But that beginning can wait, as one of the employees tells a former addict on the floors of the chapel in an informal counselling session.

A former addict (left) conversing with a rehab official (right) on the stairs of the chapel.

 

First it is time for a special Christmas treat!

 

Patients enjoy the special Christmas feast put together by the John family that is visiting Pakistan from Korea.

As the young men dig in and the laughter flows, it is hard to tell that those gathered are strangers brought together by their desire to overcome their addiction.

The spirit of Christmas permeates every nook and cranny of the centre.