Celebrations on hold: ‘No lights, only prayers’

Clergy says Christmas will be muted this year.

PESHAWAR:

With the Army Public School (APS) terror attack still dominating their thoughts, the holiday spirit is the last thing on the minds of Christians. The clergy in Peshawar announced on Wednesday it would spend Christmas in a somber fashion. This is the second season observed under a dark cloud after twin suicide blasts took over 100 lives in September 2013.

Only prayers will be held in services that start around midnight on Wednesday in various churches.

Peshawar Diocese Bishop Humphrey S Peter told The Express Tribune Christmas will not be celebrated to show solidarity with the 150 victims, mostly children, who were brutally murdered on December 16—a horrific act claimed by the Taliban.

The bishop said Christmas prayers will start late on Wednesday and will also be held on Thursday morning and noon. The slain children belonged to society as a whole and the brazen assault was scarring to say the least, added Peter.



“The government just waits around and only springs into action when tragedy strikes.” The clergyman added there was a desperate need to identify where the fault lies. “We need to correct the course of our foreign policy and improve intelligence capabilities.”

Human rights activist and church youth leader Augustine Jacob said Christmas would be observed in a simple manner in the wake of the APS massacre. He said there would be no colourful lighting as is usually seen at this time of year. “Only prayers,” he said.

Going over last year’s tragedy, Jacob recalled Christmas was spent mourning in 2013 as adherents of the faith were coming to terms with the devastating attack on the All Saints Church in Peshawar.

“The attack on the APS reopened old wounds.” The youth leader pointed out some victims of the All Saints Church blasts are still bedridden.

He said Christmas prayers would take place in St John’s Cathedral Church, St Michael’s Church, University Campus Church, St John’s Church in Kohati, All Saints Church, and Umed Abad Church in Swati Phattak.

Security measures

In order to avoid any repeat of an incident like the All Saints Church suicide attack, security has been beefed up across the city on Christmas Eve. Heavy police contingents were deployed at churches where Christmas services will be held.

Extra policemen remain deployed at the places of worship. Walkthrough gates were also installed to screen worshippers and visitors.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a police official said police contingents would remain deployed throughout Christmas.

“Walkthrough gates as well as portable metal detectors have been provided to these policemen guarding Christmas events inside the walled city, cantonment and other residential areas,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2014.