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Thursday March 28, 2024

Conscience compels citizens to join hands again, this time for Christians

KarachiContinuing its campaign of expressing solidarity with the country’s oppressed communities, the National Students Federation Pakistan (NSF) formed a human chain outside the St Patrick’s Cathedral during Sunday mass, as a symbolic expression of providing protection to the community.The shield, which was the NSF’s third such activity of the year

By Fatima Zaidi
March 23, 2015
Karachi
Continuing its campaign of expressing solidarity with the country’s oppressed communities, the National Students Federation Pakistan (NSF) formed a human chain outside the St Patrick’s Cathedral during Sunday mass, as a symbolic expression of providing protection to the community.
The shield, which was the NSF’s third such activity of the year and was formed in the wake of the twin church blasts in Lahore on March 15, had over a hundred people surrounding the cathedral.
The charged protesters chanted slogans against religious fundamentalism, as well as the continuous failure of State authorities to protect its citizens. Condemning the brutal lynching of two suspects following the attack, the protestors expressed disappointment over the way the community was held responsible for the actions of a mob.
They were of the opinion that the growing trend of mob justice was a clear indication of the people’s lack of trust in the State, as well as its judicial system.
NSF Pakistan Central Organiser Khurram Ali, while addressing the protesters, reiterated the organisation’s stance that the State was not taking concrete action against the ideological centres of terrorists neither was it focusing on organisations working at the grassroots.
Condemning the decades-old policy of support for specific militant groups, Ali warned of dire consequences for Pakistan if things continued in the same direction. Speaking of the outpour over the mob’s reaction, Ali said neither the intellectuals nor the media played their due role.
“It was unfortunate to see how the federal interior minister declared it the worst kind of terrorism but did not feel the need to address the parliament when a Christian couple was beaten to death and their bodies later torched in a brick kiln.”
The only solution left was for the common people to stand up and form a mechanism of security on their own, he opined.
Thanking the demonstrators, Archbishop Joseph said he was not only glad to see the students stand outside the cathedral throughout the prayers, but was now a bit hopeful for the country’s future.
“It was heartening to see a group of young enlightened people concerned enough to stand outside the cathedral for our safety. It is this resolve that we need to stem the rot from this country for good.”
Speaking of the distorted education imparted to generations, he welcomed the initiative to control hate speech.
NSF Karachi General Secretary Kabir Ali commended the community for its services in the fields of education and health. “Christians used to enrol Muslim students in their schools, but things changed after the State decided a religion for itself.”
“Mere statements upholding equality of citizens are no good; if you really do consider them equals then make it reflect in your policies.”
Parish Priest of the Cathedral, Father Mario, also thanked the people and added that it was encouraging to see youngsters stand in solidarity with the Christian community sans a religious bias. “The activity gave a message of unity among the general masses of the country.”
Legal Advisor Catholic Archdiocese Karachi, Saleem Michael, said the human shield was a beautiful symbol of love and protection.
Condemning the authorities concerned for not providing protection to the community, Michael said that following the Peshawar church attack in 2013, the Supreme Court had on June 19, 2014 directed the federal and provincial governments to ensure that adequate security was provided to the community’s worship places, but the decision was never implemented upon.
The NSF had earlier in collaboration with the Pakistan Youth Alliance formed a human shield outside the Shah-i-Najaf Imambargah during Friday prayers, followed by a chain outside the Sri Swaminarayan Mandir on Holi where they also later celebrated the festival with the Hindu community.