The gathering outside the Lahore church. PHOTO: MALIK SHAFIQ
Hand in hand as many as 200-300 people formed a human chain outside the St Anthony’s Church adjacent to the District Police Lines at the Empress Road, in a show of solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar church attack two weeks back, which resulted in over a 100 deaths. The twin suicide attack on All Saints church occurred after Sunday mass ended and is believed to be the country’s deadliest attack on Christians.
Standing in the small courtyard of St Anthony’s Church, as Mufti Mohammad Farooq delivered a sermon quoting a few verses of the Holy Quran that preached tolerance and respect for other beliefs, Father Nasir Gulfam stepped right next to him after having conducted a two hour long Sunday service inside the church. The two men stood should to shoulder, hand in hand as part of the human chain that was formed outside the church not just as a show of solidarity but also to send out a message, ‘One Nation, One Blood’.
As part of an attempt to sensitize the public at large, the human chain was the second such event after a similar had been organized in Karachi last week outside the St Patrick’s Cathedral by an organization called Pakistan For All – a collective of citizens concerned about the growing attacks on minorities.
"Well the terrorists showed us what they do on Sundays. Here we are showing them what we do on Sundays. We unite," said Mohammad Jibran Nasir, the organizer who made the calls for the event on social media.
Flying in from Karachi for the human chain, Nasir and his group are out to advocate the need for interfaith harmony. "I see no reason why our politicians and our leaders should not come out of their houses, leave the luxury of their secure homes and stand in solidarity with the common man", he said.
As the service concluded inside the church, the courtyard echoed with slogans of ‘Dehshut gardee murdabaad’ and ‘Muslim Maseehi ittehad zindabaad’ as members of the Sunday service emerged.
Led by Taimur Rahman, activist and member of the music band Laal, the congregation in the courtyard proceeded with sermons and chanting as the crowd increased in number.
Later, the congregation moved onto the street where they chanted slogans and formed the human chain, as police cordoned off the roads leading to the church to allow for the congregation to move.
Mariam Tariq who was attending the service along with her daughter also joined the chain. "We have lost so many of our loved ones over the past few years" said Tariq as she broke into tears.
PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
PHOTOS: MALIK SHAFIQ
COMMENTS (167)
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This is so silly. The real question is how peaceful would the world be if everybody woke up tomorrow and stopped believing in pretend gods?
All religion is fake. And people should stop killing each other because of it.
if I Christian what should I do
should I give up oir find any place to live or hide
as I am under asylum protection
adeel m sindhu 03214772686 03227966592.
@Raj - USA: We are muslim 's and have Christian cooks and friends .. Maybe the Indian Muslims are different since they lived with Hindus so long that they started to follow the cast system instead of Muslim teachings .
@ Raj - USA: We don't have any friction between Muslims and Christians in Pakistan. We have Christian colleges, restaurants, businesses, churches, and YMCAs which are attended by people of any religion. Many of the Christians in Pakistan live in Punjab province, and many of them came with Muslims to escape Partition violence due to the Sikh/Hindu belief that Christians were supporters and allies of Muslims. The fact is that Christians and Jews have always been protected under Muslim rule throughout the centuries.
Why aren't there any Christians left in Indian Punjab? Ask yourself this simple question.
Just b/c someone's feeling, you are not animals..you don't go off & cut a person's head off. They are our brothers & sisters too...with wife, son, friends & contribute to society. We are all one creation of God & He loves our all. Love conquers all, love your neighbor just as yourself. Do unto others just as Christ loved all. You have to discern the truth for yourself, even if you don't agree..we are to live in peace & harmony w/ all. 'One Blood, One Race'
No sensible person support death. Death of Muslim or Christian. Who brought America to attack Taliban? Pakistani military. Who provided America bases to attack Afghanistan? Pakistani military. Who are allowing drone attacks? Pakistani military and government. Unless these things are stopped immediately, then only Taliban could be kicked out, otherwise, these hallow shallow actions will not yield anything. Be honest. I condem the attacks on Christians, Muslims and those innocent people who are attacked and killed by drones.
@Tariq: Its part of the christian faith that Jesus is the Son of God. Why they must understand something else ? If they dont believe this then they arent Christians. It hurts a Christian as well when he hears that Jesus is not the Son of God. So Muslims should also not hurt the christian feelings. Do you know the 10 commandments ? Is there anything wrong in it ?
Ok, it's a start. 200 rational Muslims, only a few hundred million more hard line nut-balls to convince.
Awesome, for once i'm proud of the handful of people in my country, who are actually brave enough to stand up for minorities. It is possible for us to co-exist, if only our laws weren't so barbaric (thanks to Zia-ul-haq for leaving us with this legacy).
@antanu: 1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 King James Version (KJV) 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
@Tariq: this is Satan plan! one religion one gouverment one world in his hands true God will not allow this God is Christ the Mesia Sabbath is the day that God meets with us sunday is the mark of the beast
please dig more for the truth ther is no compromise this is catholic deception!
best regardes!
@Tariq: My heart was touched by the outpouring of support for Christians in Lahore. I would like to see this kind of thing continue. I have several problems with your argument, first of all Sharia Law makes Christians second class citizens. Secondly, Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God and commands his followers to tell world about how to have eternal life. Finally, What is wrong with telling this life saving message to all who would listen? Why should anyone be afraid of the gospel message?
not buying it
To be honest looking at the pictures it was most certainly exaggerated saying that there was 100 to 200 there. Maybe there was 50 at the most and it looks like a staged event for the cameras. We (the World) are not buying it, but good try. To say this was a show of the Muslim majority is a joke considering the number of Muslims living in that country and that city alone! This is definitely a small minority showing of "peaceful" Muslims, if there is such a thing as a peaceful and tolerant Muslim in this World surely they could at least fabricate a better show than this! Come on how do you really believe the rest of us are so unintelligent as to not see through this propaganda? Honestly you are believing your own hype at this point. We are not stupid, we know what you think of us (us being any non-Muslim) and quit being lazy and at least put on a good show for the press when spreading your nonsense. Actions speak louder than words and the action of damage control doesn't make up for all the dead bodies. Live and let live then the World will be at peace!
Wonderful, it reminds me of the Peace Marches in Northern Ireland, keep it up.x
P A K I S T A N ... Mark my words ... Pakistan will come out of all this and shine.
This shows that when God created the earth i,it was meant to be paradise
All you people fighting about this and yhst you dishonor yhose yhat did thia act of love and kindness. Trouble with this world too few showing love.
@Junaid Siddiqui: I am a Dutch christian, living in the USA. I am so glad to see this kind of news. I believe it is just a very small minority of fanatical Muslims, like you have fanatics in every religious, or other groups of people. But the majority just wants what we all want; peace, happiness, security and love. Salaam
@RKM: Good for you! Thanks for posting here and showing the kind of tolerance obviously lacking in some of the more bigoted comments here....
@kafir: Really? But you do? Says a lot about what you think of minorities, which obviously isn't much!!!
@Tariq: Wow - you really need to learn about religious tolerance!!! Thank goodness that laws in the West allow Muslims like myself to practice whatever faith we wish to - freely.... Stop shoving Shariah down peoples throats. The study of Islam - or any other religion for that matter - is supposed to be introspective and make us into better individuals, NOT using it as a comparison and one-upmanship with others! That's what creates hatred and bigotry. I suggest that you stop proselytizing and start acquainting yourself with the tenets of humanity that are supposed to make you both a good human being and a Muslim and stop telling people how to practice religion...
It's people like you who give us all a terrible name, with your arrogance and narrow mindedness!
What happened in Lahore was the right thing to do and we need more examples of ordinary Muslims standing against human rights abuses - no matter who the victims! In the meantime, please stop preaching, you're not very good at it!!!
Congratulations to all those that can put there personal beliefs to the side and UNITE for one belief....MANKIND!
@Raj - USA: Although your comment was completely random I just had to let you know that I am a Pakistan Muslim and my husband and I absolutely love the food cooked by our friend from New Delhi who by the way is a Hindu. She uses halal meat for us and herself (chicken only - but we prefer daal and veggies anyway) and in turn we don't cook any beef items when her family visits. It is about meeting half way and respecting religious requirements and boundaries of others.
Thank you so very much for telling this story. This brought tears to my eyes.
@ Ajax: Thanks man, appreciated. Btw on a lighter note, shouldn't you think of changing your name to maybe something like, "Ajax Tak - France" along the lines of our very own dear Raj (from USA that is) :)
@Tariq: So basically the ideal Christian is one whom abides by the Islamic law, doesn't believe that Jesus is the son of God and also not follow the main teaching of Christianity to spread the gospel? I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings because that would mean that I wouldn't be allowed to pakistan. :(
I am very moved by this wonderful gesture from a population that shows the world that there is not as passive Muslims who accept the massacre of Christians. From France.
@Tariq I agree with you Bhai. Even though I am Christian, I will do my best to show understanding that Jesus is not the son of God. That being said, it's the basis of my religion, so if at some point my understanding should falter, please don't kill me. I also promise to obey all the rules, though I'm not always clear as to what they are, and why the rules for me are different from those for Muslims. I promise not to try and convert Muslims, though I've never wanted to do so and never will. I also promise never to publicly hurt the feelings of Muslims, though if I accidentally should do so, please don't kill me. I understand that making these promises earns me "protection", so I hope that I won't be killed just for being born, being born Christian, and being born Christian in Pakistan. Having thus begged you, I look forward to my good life over here, free from all worry. Indeed, I look forward to the day when Pakistan will not have to deal with its Christian problem, and when good humanitarians such as yourself won't have the burden of protecting a group of rule-breaking conversion-artists who lack the correct spiritual credentials because we sorry Christians would either have left or been killed off, having made the capital mistake of being born in the wrong square foot of our planet.
@ Raj - USA: "I was in Africa....blah blah...travelled four continents...blah blah...great experiences in my life..blah blah...muslims pakistanis did not play with me because I was a talentless blah blah...the scars from my childhood blah blah...moved to USA...they gave me a job..blah blah..fell in love.. got married...got divorced blah blah...ISI's fault...now back to visiting etribune" - The story of Mr. Raj..from USA that is
Truly wonderful to see this happen in Pakistan. Although it makes me resentful as an Ahmadi Muslim (yes, Ahmadi MUSLIM), to think lives and honor of Ahmadis in Pakistan is so worthless that not even a few people had the courage to stand up for Ahmadis in 2010 when they were attacked during Jumma prayer.
a rare moment of tolerance from Muslims. Quite diffrent from their usual raping, killing and genocides which stole the land they live on from the Hindu's.
@Raj - USA: You will be pleasantly surprised if you do some internet search about the number of churches and in Pakistan. It runs into many a tens of hundreds. The city of Karachi has more than 28 big churches, i am not counting the smaller one scattered all over the city. Just read there are about 2.5 million Christians in Pakistan, the second largest ethnic group after Hindus. And the notion that Pakistan Hindu community has shrunked over the years is due to the fact that East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) had a much larger number of Hindu population than the west Pakistan. The fall in the actual count in the percentage of Hindus is mostly due to this fact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofchurchesinPakistan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofchurchesinPakistan#Peshawar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChristianityinPakistan
@Tariq:
So, if christians hurt the feelings of muslims, they will be killed right?
@Raj - USA: Dear friends, I can bet Raj is homeless, jobless Psychotic and lunatic Indian living in US. So please don't mind his mad comments.
@Siddiqui: Yes it was very, very bad what the hindu mobs did in Orissa in 2008 and almost all hindus condemn it too. However, in your selective approach you did not mention what really happened there. The christian missionaries were converting hindus. I am not against that type of conversion of hindus as it was not done by force or rape and also entire families converted at the same time. It was not like one minor girl kidnaped from her home, converted, married and never seen again. Though there was inducement in the conversions carried out by christians there was no force. This unlike what happens in Pakistan, may be not good but not immoral, according to me. Now, had the christians been doing the same in Pakistan, Pakistan would have erupted and every christian would have been killed. It would have spread out to all muslim countries as the protests for the blasphemous video put on Youtube by the christian and christians anywhere in the muslim world would have been burnt.
This is where the muslims, particularly muslims of Pakistan lack sincerity. You see comments right here in this section what some says about conversion. They say muslims can convert christians but christians cannot do the same.
@Nabeel: Who gave me the idea that muslims do not eat food cooked by christians? The news items that I read in ET, the comments from many muslim readers of Pakistan in ET itself and also in other newspapers like Guardian. What did the Chief Minister of K-P and PTI's ally say just after the bombing of this church that killed over 80 according to Pakistan's media and over 150 according to some international media. What did he say about christians and sanitary workers. Why is Asia Bibi still in prison for over 2 years now? It is because she drew water to quench her thirst and the muslim mobs felt that she polluted the well and framed her on false blasphemy and the Chief justice went along with the muslim sentiments. We also read many news items in ET where hindus and christians (even their cattle) are not allowed to draw water from the upper side of running rivers and only muslims are allowed to do so. They can do it only on the lower ends of the rivers so that even the running rivers are not polluted. So, don't tell me that caste system is in India and practiced by hindus only. It is practiced a thousand times more by muslims in Pakistan. Courts have even banned mango juice manufactured by an Ahmedi company and this movement was not led by mullas but by educated lawyers and judges. However, the same lawyers and judges would not have a problem to buy beer from the Pakistani brewery using the alcohol permit from a christian.
As I said earlier in this section itself, It is a good thing that some are standing for the christians but I would repeat there is not much sincerity in this act. Want proof. Just see the number of comments in another news that is much more praiseworthy and real. The Pathan guarding the church says "The terrorists have to get through me first". That Pathan was real and his words are coming from his heart and not from the mouth. That is what I appreciate. Read my comments there. There were only 17 people who commented there which was the real sincere act as compared to over 130 here. Had Pakistanis come out immediately after the bomb blast in the church, it would have been real and I would have appreciated. I would like to see more sincerity. All said, I would agree that it may one day lead to the good. Here is the link to the ET news on the Pathan guarding the church that did not interest many in Pakistan: http://tribune.com.pk/story/612860/the-pakhtun-guardians-of-churches/ It is these types of news that I appreciate in my heart. Don't pretend ..... Perform.
I am really thankful to ET for allowing divergent views and also moderating within limits. ET is a great newspaper indeed.
Finally, the nation rises against the sick ideology of Taliban. There is more fight here than the military can handle on its own. When will the common citizens rise and defend their nation against the turbaned sickos? Perhaps, this is a start!
@Raj - USA: If two hired suicide bombers decimates about 80 christian people in church in Peshawar...than by all account it is a terrorist activity; It's not that a mob of Muslim fanatics attacked the church and killed the people, The motive of the result can be comprehended if we took it into account all the blasts and other activities taking place in Pakistan. What was the ensuing result. People of all ethnic backgrounds helped the victims by donating blood, taking the wounded to the hospitals cared in every conceivable manner. The motive behind the attack reads like this: 1) To show the world that Pakistan has no religious tolerance and the minorities are unsafe and marginalized and they have no liberties. 2) To create a divide between different ethnic group and start some sort of riots/civil unrest.
More christian were killed in ethic riots in India than in Pakistan. Only in Orissa, Assam about 70 Christians were killed by the Hindu mobs in 2008 Orissa massacre.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-in-india-demand-justice-for-2008-orissa-massacre-66264/ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/oct/19/orissa-violence-india-christianity-hinduism
@Raj - USA:
Pathetic. This is obviously such a good move and all you can do is talk trash. You're so full of bias against Pakistan that you can't bring yourself to not say something rude.
During the holocaust, a small minority of Germans sheltered Jews from the Nazis. Their behavior was not evidence of the true nature of Nazism.
Pakistan and its people are much more ethnically and religiously tolerant than what most of the western media and to a great extent the Indian media(controlled by the state) portrays. Here is a recent survey done by the neutral Swedish economists.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/15/a-fascinating-map-of-the-worlds-most-and-least-racially-tolerant-countries/
http://tribune.com.pk/story/550216/pakistan-one-of-the-least-racist-countries-in-the-world-survey/
@Raj - USA: who ever gave you the idea that muslims will not eat food cooked by non muslims i can count several leading chefs in Lahore who are christian as for hindus we don't have many of them around but a very nice hindu couple our neighbor both husband and wife doctors shared food with us they would send something over {eatabale and so did we } interestingly while they were on vacation abroad i noticed that their servant was not eating properly so i offered him vegitarial food from my place he reluctantly accepted but was very happy to have some good meals when i told the doctors all they had to say was illiterate we told him that he could have anyhing coming from your house vege of course he really felt that anyting cooked in our kichen would be how do you say bhasht my friend look up indias ranking in racism in the world and maybe you'll understand
This is incredible! I will give praise to God, the Father! For, it is His doing. It seems there are a lot of willing hearts and it's likely many are wearied by the hostilities. I'm a little pressed for time; however I would certainly pray for this area.
It's sad that stories like these are contrasted by the hideous treatments of Christians and Jews in the Middle East. Because of this, I'd say a great deal of courage is needed to pull this off. Make no mistake, it is no easy feat to protest like this.
Hence, I'd encourage prayer.
Good gesture, but minorities still need protection in Pakistan .Imran Khan and Maulana Munawar Hassan are not happy, they are still asking when drone attacks will stop.
@kaalchakra: I'm disappointed by your comments, it seems you are a follower of a great religion of Islam, whereas the other gentleman belongs to the Hindu community--your statement tells it all. And I disagree with your notion that Hinduism is a man made religion, no it's not (keep time in mind).
@babu: You sounds surprised. Old Karachi had many Hindu Christian and Parsi neighborhoods when I was young. We studied together and later worked together. I worked in PSO and our chief of computer operations Vitthal M Bhatia was a Hindu and would realize that only when he would respectfully refuse to eat meat. The best sweets were that of Hindus from Shikarpur, which is predominently Hindu city.
US churches hold special services for Pak church victims
Geo news
http://www.geo.tv/article-119973-US-churches-hold-special-services-for-Pak-church-victims The news
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-119973-US-churches-hold-special-services-for-Pak-church-victims
Things like this make me proud to be a Pakistani. We as nation have sent out a clear message to the extremists; we stand together!
@Raj - USA: I moved to Canada few years ago and I eat everything from an Indian Restaurant close to my home and from anywhere else also as long as it's veggie and clean, so it's not like we only pick our Pakistani or Muslims made food and also let me tell you there is a chain of restaurants run by a famous Pakistani caterer from Karachi where I'm also from along with couple of other Pakistani restaurants which I've visited and found most of their staff is Hindu Punjabi's and Sikhs but it's not the same on the other side as long as I know and as long as that maid thing is concern nobody in my family and relatives in Pakistan never had any food made by maid just because they've cleaning issues even though they're Muslims so it's about personal preference not about religion.
@Romm: @chen: @Salman: @Fandi: @Saad:
I loved your comments and you will find God always on your side for your noble thoughts and deeds.
@Saad:
Very sincerely, this is something great and blessed woman is your aunt for having such a good heart.
I would bow to her.
@Khan: @chen: @Romm:
Now we are getting somewhere. I am happy to see your comments and my apologies if I have left out some others who have similar comments here.
I have not visited Pakistan but can get a good idea from readers comments here in ET and also from UK newspapers like Guardian.
Let me tell you something else. When I was around 15, my grandfather visited us from Bombay. He met my friends in my house and asked their names. When they told their names, he wanted to know their last name (surname). I did not know the surnames of some and my parents also did not care. He then told me that I should not be too close to some of them. I did not like it then, nor do I like it now. But I could not say anything to him also. Even after so many years, his questioning, etc., is still fresh in my minds though he died many years ago.
One more thing I would like to say for the benefit of the likes of Antanu and others who think caste system is liked and followed by every hindu in India. In the 70's some of my brahmin bengali friends in Calcutta changed their caste and became lower caste by Affidavits and newspaper ads. Yes, converting to lower caste. The reason was that lower castes had some privileges like low interest loans, grants and preference in college admissions those days. Those who know about the 70's in Calcutta and have had friends from different castes would know this. Government of India had worked very hard and continually in eradicating this cruel system. Today, you won't see much of caste system anywhere in India and 30 - 40 % of marriages in our own extended family in the last 15 years have been mixed caste. Still this is there in some quarters and I hate this system much more than anyone else. I have seen this personally and this in my early years and this is also a reason for my hate of these systems.
I am so proud of the Pakistani people for this. You show us how it's done!! We can learn a lot from you. Well done, dear friends. Bless you.
This is truly what islam preaches, "lakum deenakum waliadeen" to you your religion and to me mine, we all should live peacefully as brothers and sisters and respect other's beliefs.
The most wonderful news I've heard out of Pakistan in decades!
@Ahmed: The Taliban fights like a coward. Why kill innocent people to get back at others? If you want revenge, get the people who done the damage. Women and girls have a right to freedom. We are all created equally and all have unique talents and skills. If a man l sees a woman's face and has lust...he is at fault! I look at people all the time and if I experienced bad thoughts, then I am the one in sin. This is 2013...NOT 0013. Grow up and be mature. Killing innocent people is evil. Repressing women is evil. Racism is evil. I am happy to see harmony within faiths. Too bad so many people have evil agendas and I say this goes on in all the faiths. If we all made an effort to reach out, understand, respect our fellow people, and respect all genders and races, this world would be such a better place to live. But there will always be those who take it to the extreme and ruin it for everyone else.
You'll never see this happening with muslims protecting the synagogue or, viceversa, jews protecting the mosque.
Not sure about christians, though...
Gives me hope! We are all one people.
@Chris w: Want to know another event in my life? I was working in Africa and the conditions there were becoming unbearable, too many killings (not sectarian) and too many robberies and scarcity of almost everything. I was not that much affected by scarcity as the company I was working was the largest importer of these items. At that time, I visited India on vacation and on my way back stopped at Bahrain to look for job opportunities there. Those days, Indian Passport holders could stop over for 3 days and visa was issued on arrival. You still need an invitation from a local though. One of my friend arranged me this invitation through his company and told me that the letter will be there at the immigration counter when I arrive Manama airport. When I arrived the letter was not there. I contacted him from the airport and he said that there is some delay and someone is bringing the letter personally. While I was waiting at the airport, I started calling companies to see if they have any opening. In one of the lucky calls, the Personnel Manager (An Arab) asked me from where I am calling. I told him that I am calling from the airport. He was impressed and told me that his company does not have any openings but asked me to hold on the phone and that he would check with his friends if they have any. He came back on the line and had arranged an interview for me the next day. I got the job this way only. Then I left for Africa and my work visa arrived in 4-5 months time and I moved to Bahrain. I have many more interesting experiences also and I would save it for another time. I have seen the world, have been close to many nationalities, including muslims and still have many Afghan friends here in USA who are just like my family and they also treat me the same. The woman of these families call me brother and I feel very happy whenever they call me so. I have some very good friends in Bangladesh also. One was my business associate too. If you have read my many of my earlier comments, you would have read these also. To me there is no hindu/muslim difference but I have total dislike for some of the practices that goes on in Pakistan. I have the same contempt for these practices in India too but have seen a sea of change in India in the last 30 years.
@Raj-USA EXCELLENT REBUTTAL and very valid questions. Wish to congratulate ET for their bravery and honesty in publishing these comments. ET is one positive thing about Pakistan.
Paks are regurgitating the vicious hatematerial they study in "Pakistan studies".
Have you seen question papers on Pakistan studies? Amazing. If they escaped from Hindus and eliminated 99% of Hindus in Pakistan, why "learn" so much hate in text books about a society in neighboring country!!!!
Like this:
Write short notes on Achoot community, what are Hindu castes, etc.
@Raj - USA: This is solidarity; they are literally putting their lives in danger to demonstrate equality amongst human beings. How would a picnic show solidarity, and do you think the hungry Pakistani has the time or resources available for that? And FYI: I am not proud of this fact, but a pretty overrepresented percentage of cooks in Pakistan are Christian. My (Muslim) family employed Christian cooks and so did a lot of our family and friends. Try to see the lighter side of humanity instead of overwhelming dissatisfaction with peoples' honest efforts.
As an atheist this is a hope that people will slowly step away from what their religions require and take humanitarian action.
@Raj - USA: All domestic help in our house are Christians. We trust them more than Muslim domestics and we are conservative Muslims. And yes they cook as well
@Raj - USA: Loved the anecdotes!
So the conclusion is that there are 200-300 sane Pakistanis...LOL
@Romm: I am very happy to hear this and I appreciate you.
Jibran Nasir for President !!
I have to be honest when I say that I'm shocked. However, I'm not holding my breath.
@Saad: We are solving our caste system. Do you know most of the CM are not from high caste?
@A. Khan: You don't know anything about India. Non veg restaurant owned by Muslims in old Delhi are mostly visited by upper cast rich Hindus.My friends from Lucknow regularly visit Muslim restaurant in Lucknow. Visit India and see for yourself.
@Raj - USA: I doubt you have ever visited pakistan? Have had nannies that were christians, I've had school friends that were christians and hindus. Plenty of Sikhs live in Peshawar amongst the most conservative of pakistanis, the pashtuns and live happily for the most part.. Cooks in our school cafeteria were christians, we all ate food made from their hands... I have had hindus study with me in university.. I don't understand your hatred for something you clearly have no clue about. Most of all I know alot of houses including mine that also allow non-muslims have their worship places in their homes.. I don't know where you are getting the idea that Pakistanis are so backwards. It is true that there is still room for MUCH MORE improvement but it's not all that bad... Most of us are good people!
@anti elitist: It is not silent majority but minority (200 people)
@Tariq: But Muslim can hurt the feeling of Christians? And they should learn from you how to follow their religion? This is the religious freedom you give to your minorities? Christians cant convert Muslim to christian but muslim can forcefully convert people of other religion and it is shown on TV. Great ....
@kaalchakra: Have you read Hinduism. How can you prove that your religion is only made by God. This is what your religion teaches? biased against other religion .By writing this you have shown your true color
@Tariq: Yes Tariq! Let us treat everyone that isn't muslim as second class citizens because you select what parts of your book to believe in. Bravo on your beliefs! You are the shining light of the future.
@Raj - USA: Many Pakistanis have christian cooks. We had christian cooks. all pakistani restaurants in USA have mexican cooks. I think Mr. Raj you are mistaken, its hindus who do not let muslims cook or touch there food. and the rest of ur story does not make any sense either.
@Raj - USA: Have you ever been to Pakistan? Forget cooks, we have had Hindu Supreme Court justice, and Christian Chief Justices. Your fixation with caste betrays your prejudiced psyche, and unlike you for Pakistanis a bakery is a bakery, and no one gives a damn who the baker is. P.S. I love the way Pakistani unity is burning you up.
@Dharmajan I appreciate ur feeling. Every human should think like that.
@Raj - USA: Take your bitterness somewhere else. Try solving caste system in your india before lecturing us. we are not here to please you
@Raj - USA: I have a hindu lady in my family and she cooks food for us. Goes to school, teaches there and does baby sitting for my daughter.. U need to come out of delusions. I normally see ur funny comments in ET and most of the times enjoy those.
@Raj - USA:
You need to turn this into a screenplay - it sounds like a great film story.
hope pti isn't offended by this!
@Adnan: What does your comment mean??
@kaalchakra: You show ignorance and belittle this wonderful act(and subsequent discussion) as well as your own half-hearted post by including "man-made" in reply.
@Tariq - "Christians are protected in Islam but they must obey the rules and not convert muslims. Christians also need to show understanding that Jesus is not the son of God. And Sharia law is the foundation of society and not the the ten commandments. Christian must not publicly hurt the feelings of muslims so christians will be able to live well in Pakistan". What else are they supposed to do for getting "protection" - become slaves? grovel on all fours in presence of Muslims? Pay up? Why not just say - convert!
If any protest or support is not immediate and spontaneous and comes after several days of thought to create a perception, it is not sincere.
I would appreciate and have been the first to appreciate when I see sincerity in any acts.
I count among my friends Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Jews to name a few, in fact most times when we get together there will be one of each in our group. We treat each other with respect and do not hold the faults of others in our respective religions on each others. If in the USA we can have that kind of tolerance when you have a country split in half by political corporatocracy, then I cant see how others can't come together as well.
This story tells me what I already knew, 99.9% of Muslims are peaceful people who live their lives the same way. That .1% who preach hate and murder. in the name of a God they supposedly worship, are the ones that end up getting most of the headlines. It's good to see a positive article showing the tolerance Islam teaches Muslims.
@Tariq - you are apparently a Taliban sympathizer you celebrate the acts of the Taliban & so you spew their talking points?
One year ago, there was a news in ET that showed photos Sunnis (mainly woman) of Pakistan coming out in crowd and standing up with shias. This did not stop the unabated bombings of shia mosques and shia killings continued. The reason was that there was no sincerity.
ET: please publish my earlier comment for all those who have replied to my first comment.
@Tariq:
If someone's feelings are truly hurt, should he see a doctor? Should he take some pain medicine? Did he get cancer? Did he lose his arms? Or, better still, maybe he can just grow up, get a thicker skin, and take it like a real man instead of acting like a crybaby, giving orders and making demands.
When peace comes so will the antichist. Be careful what you wish for. REVELATIONS
@Curious: A christian cannot even become a cook in Pakistan (except for non-muslims).
The day when I see a christian owned bakery where he/she bakes cake, I would say that Pakistan has changed.
Live is a bell shaped curve - a few people show up -- so what!
You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed –that has nothing to do with the business of the State. (Presidential Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11th August, 1947.)
Mistake in second paragraph: The two men stood should to shoulder. Please correct.
Baby steps, Raj :)
@Raj - USA:
We humans are imperfect beings. As the signs held up in the pictures state "many faiths one god" - this is an acknowledgement that our imperfect understanding of our world and our god may have led us all to perceive and worship god in different ways. To claim that one way to worship god or another is correct is to claim human perfection of understanding. God is perfect, but who among us can say with certainty "this is what god intends?" I salute these people and anyone who is willing to cast off the yoke of pride and join hands with their neighbours, regardless of culture, caste or creed.
@ashish, offcourse i m not hindu. Being a proud muslim, i was ok and used to enjoy food cooked by a hindu, i was not bothered about the cast of cook unlike most highly respected (in hindu religion) cast pandit brothers who make sure that cook should be not be from low caste and forget about from different religion.
i m sure you was not having any answer from my commet that is the reason you ask for my religion.
Learn to respect religion.
how it is feel to be on reddit front page tribune?
Good to see touched many raw nerves. Truth always hurts.
DON'T PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE WHO YOU ARE NOT. BRING CHANGE FOR THE REAL AND WITH YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS. THIS IS MY MESSAGE.
@Raj - USA: Would a high caste hindu eat food prepared by a lower caste hindu ? I think not. Its easy to live in USA and pontificate on these matters but the issue is the same if not worse in India.
And for your benefit, this particular cultural idiosyncrasy is all thanks to the hindu caste system. Its a cultural hangover in sub continent. Read your parents history, if you consider yourself above this. Ask them what they saw and experienced in India before they moved to Middle East.
What makes me happier to see the photos in this article are that there seems to be all types of people from different walks of life... the modern pakistanis, the religious ones, the well off ones and the not so well off ones. Reading things like this make me an even prouder Pakistani than I already am. Humanity comes before everything... even religion!
Efforts to convey the message of oneness welcome.Only disappointment is the the thin line of people in the chain . Even a cursory browsing shows that the people holding the placards and banner in front of the church are also the ones standing in line . The response could have been better !
Gods Speed!!
@Tariq: Keep your beliefs to your ownself and the topic here is humanity not the Islam.. As always a post from a confused Muslim. Scared of muslims converting ??.. make as many laws as you want, but the truth will perish you apart.
@Tariq
So Muslim are be allowed to convert Christians, and Christians are vajib-ul-qatal for trying to convert Muslims. If that's how Islam is supposed to be then the Taliban are the real Muslims.
The core foundation of Chrisitan belief is the Divinity of Jesus, pray tell me how Christians can 'show understanding' as you wrote?
I salute them for their courage!! Well done!
Beautiful to see. This does more for Islam than any number of acts of violence.
Greetings from Ireland.
Pakistan Zindabad!
a deal for pakistan....take our muslim minorities and give us your..what say...
Hype and hypocrisy. Are thy other names Pakistan?
Are those who lined up today against blasphemy laws? Will they support a constitution declaring all citizens are equal? Can a Christian become President of Pakistan? Pakis have different rules for themselves and others.
@kaalchakra: for your information ,all religions are man made ,with no exceptions, best of the religion ,worst of the followers.
@Bilal:
You know very well who have driven kasmiri Hindu Pandits out of their motherland. Do not indulge your soul in fringe and partial remarks/one just incident, and plz show true kashmiri spirit to accommodate all kashmiris in your homeland. I am highly inspired what Pakastanis did in solidarity with Christians. Pakistan Media should strongly encourage efforts to protect true Pakistan for all.
@Bilal: nice to get the opinion of an Indian muslim i agree with you, but can you tell me which era this occurred and if recent which part of India did you have this hostel experience happen. ? My experience tells me that Hindus have evolved a lot in the last two decades, and the younger generation do not have the hate element as opposed to the post partition generation.
Jibran, you seem like a Hinud pretending to have a Pakistani name. Why are you counting numbers when the spirit of the occasion is more important? Please accept the reality of Pakistan. Pakistan is here to stay and no amount of Hinuds putting Pakistan down will make any difference. Have a good day.
@jibran: This isn't India, we don't have communal mob riots in Pakistan.
@ bilal
clearly you are not a hindu.
@Raj - USA:
WTF was that comment all about?
Those who love human beings will be loved by the creator. Creator may be Christian god, Muslim god, Hindu god or god without religion.
That's what we need. Tolerance and co-existence. A slap to all the forces who are trying to disunite Pakistan.
FAITH IN HUMANITY RESTORED@Raj - USA: Raj bhai. it is time you gave some rest to your tiny brain. It aint working for sure.
@RKM: Very truly said RKM. You spoke the truth about Muslims and Islam. I pray that you also be guided and I hope we Muslims become more Practicing Muslims and come back to the real path of Islam. As salam walaikum.
Guys it is better to ignore this low life Indian "Raj - USA" he is RSS, Bajrang Dal activist and probably in India and if he is in USA then I bet he must have sneaked from Mexican border.
@jibran: you could have bothered reading the article before commenting.
@Raj - USA: These are hindu beliefs, so don't attribute it to mulims or Pakistanis, we don't have the concept of untouchables in our faith. We made Pakistan to get away from such nonsense.
For showing solidarity, they couldn't find 100 Muslim participants. If it were a protest for burning churches, 1000s would have volunteered.
Cant define how pleased I am with this news. Wish we all get united and these Taliban just get disappeared from this country!
@Raj - USA: Grow up, don’t target islam and muslims only, how many pandit hindu families will accept low case hindu as their cook forget about muslim or Christian cook… I m sure not more than 1% . Let me tel you one real story, I m indian and lived in hostel in delhi, food was cooked by hindu cook and I use to enjoy, we were 2 muslims in the hostel. When cook resign and one muslim cook came and almost all if not almost all hindu say in one voice, no no no muslim cook. I think this is enough to tel you where hindu are and what they think
@Raj - USA: Try find a job for yourself, that will help ease your frustration. The way you always mention 'USA' in your moniker speaks of your inferiority complex. This complex will never let you be happy no matter what positive you hear and read about Pakistan. But please spare us of your bitterness. Regards.
@Raj - USA: Guys, spoiler alert. Please note and condemn.
All the best pakistan
This is indeed a great gesture, but too little in the context. No non-Muslim should ever be hurt Pakistan there is nothign at all that they have doen to hurt Pakistan. They are most friendly and mellow group. And same is the case for Ahmadis, etc. The animosity is between some Muslim Sects we can kill each other to promote TJ agenda but please don't harm people of other religions or Ahmadi sect people.
Bravo. That made my day. The silent majority finally speaks.
@Raj - USA: please spare us of your stupid comments.there is no need to tell again and again that you lack common sense and do not have an apetite for peace and harmony.
@kafir: Neither do you evidently.
Heart warming gesture by these Pakistani's for the Pakistani's inside the church. Need more of these gestures - Pakistani's protecting Pakistani's. Excellent.
@kafir: You have no idea of what Islam teaches or delibrately want to misinterpret it...
@RKM:
You are so right bro...if only muslims followed Islamic teachings, they would have been an example for others...
Why are we blaming Taliban for the attacks in these comments? It is not their fault, it is the drone strikes they react against. We should sympathize with Taliban, and for that we should talk to them. Said one cricketer turned politician. Go figure.
Christians are protected in Islam but they must obey the rules and not convert muslims. Christians also need to show understanding that Jesus is not the son of God. And Sharia law is the foundation of society and not the the ten commandments. Christian must not publicly hurt the feelings of muslims so christians will be able to live well in Pakistan.
Good act. We supporting from core of heart but unforrtunitly Taliban does not understand this. They are mad and just killers. We need to stop them.
This is humanity in action, not religion.
Well said, RKM. I wish more Hinuds were as unbiased and clear-eyed as you are. Islam is Allah's perfect religion for mankind. So it teaches all perfect things. Unfortunately Muslims never follow it. Hinudism and other man-made religions lack that property.
We don't need protection, We Need Peace in Pakistan..
Excellent attempt at providing confidence to the minorities who suffer from feelings of being under siege. Once minorities are extinct, the majority will be in the line of fire.
solidarity with the minorities is a good sign, but need improvements in our security system.
Good going Lahoris, this is the indomiatable spirit of Pakistan. This should be happening in every city and town of Pakistan. We should never forget that once we were a minority and how we suffered, and now that we have secured our freedom we are duty bound to ensure that our minorities are never treated the way we were, and have every right and protection of the state as equal citizens.
@RKM - you have no clue what islam teaches.
@babu...Yes, a Pakistani, and my religion is Hinud. But also I would like to mention here that although Islam's teachings are great. But none of the Muslims here follow it, apart from some.
This is what true Pakistan is like. Really happy, Zinda Dilaaan-e-Lahore ne khush kardia.
The news has strengthen my hopes for a better Pakistan
This is the only way forward, Well Done PAKISTAN.....
Tears of happiness are falling and wont stop. I wish I had known and would have gone too. Go away Taliban. Pakistan will never want you.
@RKM: ??? a pakistani hindu
Wow! Now who can say that Islam teaches contempt for other religions and is a fount of violence in the world of religion?! I am proud to be an admirer of such a great and true deen.
These are just for eye-wash. Want to show real solidarity? Muslims should organize a joint picnic for muslims, christians, hindus, and sikhs. Cook food together (preferably allow christians, hindus and sikhs to cook the food) and muslims should eat the same food with others. How many would do it? Can the muslims employ christians in their homes to cook food or at least to cut vegetables, clean rice, etc.,and not just employ them as cleaners? When we were in Bahrain in the 80's , we had two part-time cooks who would come to our house on alternate days for about an hour a day. When we invite guests, both would come to help us out. One was a muslim lady and another was a hindu man, both from Mumbai, in their late 30's and unmarried. They both fell in love also. After 2 years the man moved to Sharjah and they used to communicate with each other through tape recordings. They would record and send the tapes by mail to each other. There was no internet or cell phones then. These two used to work part time in may other indian, hindu homes also.
Reading this made me tear up! I wish we could hear more about all of us living in harmony rather than all the deaths, and blasts we hear about on a daily basis!
This need made my day. Keep it coming.
I am a Hindu from Pakistan, and I know this is what Islam teaches. Bravo
Heartening to see some sanity in this moment of madness. Goes a long way to show Talibans that the common people think differently.
Pakistan out of coma. Alive and breathing. Prayers for speedy recovery :)