Pakistan: Christians and Muslims hold vigil near site of terror attack

Hundreds of Pakistani Christians and Muslims, gathered for a candlelight vigil last night at the gates of Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park in Lahore, to remember those killed and injured in the attack on Easter Sunday. Many of the victims are women and children who were playing in the park. Although the terror group Jamaat ul Ahrar, who claimed responsibility for the attack, said it was aimed at Christians, police say many Muslims were also killed or injured.

The crowds chanted slogans against the killers and those who support them. They also repeatedly called for the government not only preach against terrorism, but to do something practical to save people's lives.

Abdullah Malik, president of the Association of Civil Society, said he was "deeply shocked at the loss of precious lives", and while he expressed "solidarity with the victims and their families," underlining "the failure government and those who are responsible for security" to "stop terrorist activities" and their inability to "stop those who are involved directly or indirectly". "It is time that the government devise a solid strategy and make uncompromising efforts to eliminate the extremists, without discrimination."

Samson Salamat, president of the multi-religious Rwadari Tehreek, that promotes peace and tolerance, denounced the situation of the country where their "children are deprived of the right to play and to education because they lack security and live in threat and terror. "

Immediately after the attack, there was an urgent appeal for blood. Muslims and Christians lined up together to donate blood for the wounded in the city's hospitals.

"Enough is enough and we call upon the serious attention of the Government, state apparatus, the political parties and all other stake-holders to make short term and long term policy and strategy to counter the culture of hatred, extremism and violence in the name of religion and sect. Merely lip-service cannot reverse the worst ever situation and we demand practical steps."

Peter Jacob, director of the Centre for Social Justice, speaking to AsiaNews, noted that the Taliban, claiming the attack in Lahore, want to challenge the government in its claim to combat extremism. "Christians are victims of this banal power struggle," he said. The suicide attack on the Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park concides with demonstrations for blasphemy in Islamabad, which the government did not want to deal with," Jacob added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Islamic extremists have been demonstrating outside parliament in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, demanding the implementation of sharia and the hanging of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother sentenced to death for blasphemy, who has been waiting for an appeal process for five years.

Source: AsiaNews/Fides