Dark year ender: Christians to celebrate Christmas with simplicity

Decision taken to express solidarity with victims of Peshawar attack.

ISLAMABAD: As a mark of respect for the victims of the Peshawar incident, Christians in the twin cities have decided to keep Christmas celebrations low-key.

Muslim-Masehi Ittehad Chairman Sameul Yaqub told The Express Tribune that “It isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas with full zeal and enthusiasm when the country was still mourning”.

He said Pakistani Christians stand with their Muslim brothers and sisters. “We consider all these children as our family members and will dedicate this Christmas to them,” he said.

Yaqub further said that they stopped preparing for Christmas the day the attack took place.

“On December 25, we will go to churches to say prayers for these martyrs and for peace and prosperity in the country,” he added.

Youth Hostel Association

People from different walks of life gathered at the Youth Hostel on Thursday to pay tribute to the martyrs of Army Public School, Peshawar and express solidarity with families of the victims.

The event was organised by the Youth Hostel Association where majority of the speakers expressed solidarity with the mothers of children who lost their children through poems.

A poem recited by Bushra Nisar, an associate professor at IMCG, brought tears to the eyes of the participants.

Addressing the participants, former ambassador Qazi Humayun, a trustee of Pakistan Youth Hostels Association, said, “We reap what we sow, and this is what is happening in Pakistan right now.”

He added that we are all equally responsible for the terrorist attacks taking place in Pakistan.

Later, the participants lit candles to express solidarity with the victims.

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