Bishop Irfan Jameel offered the funeral prayers. The body was taken to Youhanabad’s main graveyard for burial. PHOTO: SHAHBAZ MALIK/ EXPRESS
Funerals of three people who lost their lives in the twin suicide attacks in Youhanabad were held in Lahore and Mian Channu on Monday.
The funeral of Zahid Yousaf Goga was held in Christ Church in Lahore. Hundreds of people, including former law minister Rana Sanaullah, participated in the event.
The participants paid tribute to Zahid for sacrificing his life to save others.
Sanaullah faced some harsh comments from a group of participants. A woman interrupted his speech, saying the government had failed to protect the Christian community. Initially, he was not allowed to approach Zahid’s coffin. He was later allowed to do so when community leaders intervened.
Bishop Irfan Jameel offered the funeral prayers. The body was taken to Youhanabad’s main graveyard for burial.
Strict security arrangements had been made for the funeral at Christ Church. Rumour of another blast caused unrest for a while. However, the situation was later brought under control.
Sanaullah expressed solidarity with the Christian community, stating that the government fully supported them.
“The people who sacrificed their lives to stop the suicide bombers from entering the churches are heroes. The damage could have been far worse had the terrorists entered the premises,” he said.
A couple that died in the Youhanabad bombings was buried on Monday in Stunzabad Chak 135/16-L near Mian Channu. They had gone for Sunday prayers to the church along with their four-year-old daughter, Anjelica, when the attack occurred. Anjelica survived.
More than 4,000 people from Cheechawatni, Mian Channu, Khanewal and Multan attended the funerals.
Multan diocese Bishop Leo Rodrick Paul led the prayers.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2015.
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