Today on 15-03-15 an awful incidence occurred in the largest Christian Community in Lahore i.e. Yohana Abad. When during the Church Mass terrorists tried to enter the Church but the Church guard of the Catholic Church St. Paul stopped him where he blasted himself causing many injuries and the death of several people, but it was not enough, because right after this blast, the Protestant Church namely Christ Church also came under a terrorist attack and right after that the terrorists attacked the Mob of the people by firing. The people of the community were gathering to help the Christian community including The Voice team which was comprised of Aneeqa Maria, Shahid Anthony, Imran Barkat, and Imran Zafar was also there to help the injured and for the solidarity when the firing started, luckily all the members of TVS team remained safe but the Car of TVS was badly broken down due to the firing and Riots of the terrorists. We thank almighty God that he kept us all safe and alive. Meanwhile people got hold of the two terrorists and the angry mob of Christians burnt the terrorists alive, after beating them severely. Heavy firearms were recovered from the terrorists, after which the situation became tense and the terrorists attacked the community once again leaving many injured including the Police officers with in the colony. The Voice team is still there helping the injured, arranging the blood and also arranging the funeral services, which are going to be held after 5:00pm in the evening.
About 80 people are severely injured so far, and 14 people are dead. Please pray all the injured and all the dead, also pray for the families residing there who are affected by the Blasts and also pray for the safety and security of the Voice team.
Update on the Twin Church Blast in Youhana abad
After killing/burning two people/ suspected terrorists, and causing damage to unlimited public properties, Christians of Yohanaabad are now protesting for Justice, similarly there are protests in many cities of Pakistan where Christians are protesting for the security which is not possible even for the Muslims. It is a fact that whether they are Christians or Muslims, Shia or Ahmadia, Parsis or Hindus, nobody is safe at the hands of the terrorists. The whole Pakistan is at War on terrorism and we are a part of it as well. By God’s grace and protection there are only 14 causalities, they could have been thousands as the Catholic Church is visited by thousands people for mass on every Sunday, similarly protestant Church named Christ church is one of the biggest church in the vicinity of youhana abad. But the deaths are only 14 in both church blasts. The third blast although occurred near Shakaina Church but it did not caused any sort of damage. Although 70-80 people are injured as well but what the Christians of Yohanaabad have done will never be forgotten by the dark history of Christians. Christians have always been a symbol of victimization and forgiveness but this time they crossed all the limits of barbarism and terrorism. They have burnt alive two suspects, and broken down public property that might have belonged to the Christian brothers and sisters. Still they seek justice! Still they are victims, still they are innocent. There is no doubt that the threats have been present for the targeted terrorism on St. John’s Church, the Voice has released a report upon the threats to the Church on Oct 07, 2013, when two suspects were arrested in front of the Church trying to enter the church and surveying around the church.
The Voice published a report on 7th Oct 2013 about the threats from the terrorists to the churches in yohanaabad and pursued the case of the terrorists filed by the Police of Nishtar town right after the Peshawar Church attacks but later the matter was closed by the so-called respectable Christians of yohanaabad including the active Christian Politicians and the very Active Human Rights Activists residing in Yohanaabad, saying that it was a misunderstanding. There have been many attacks on all communities but such a reaction has never seen from any community which is indeed a shameful act. Christians have been a symbol of God’s love and his forgiveness but now they are creating a new trademark for their coming generations which is very dangerous indeed. I am very sad about the death of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who have died in the bomb blast, I am helping and will help my Christian brothers and sisters who are injured and in hospital financially, socially, morally and also by donating my blood and the blood of my whole team of TVS, and my relatives, family and friends but I am ashamed to be a part of such community who is so heartless that have burnt two people alive, no matter they were terrorists or not. How will I fight the case of Shama and Shahzad? How can I blame the other community for the act of barbarism and vandalism? How can we blame other to be inhuman when we our self are not humans. What sympathy do I expect for the Children of Shama and Shahzad who were burnt alive in Kot radha kishan from the court when we our self-have committed the same vandalism? Moreover there is every apprehension that the benefit of this incidence will go to the Culprits of Kot Radha Kishan and the Police and higher officials will now change their perspectives towards the case of Kot Radha Kishan. I am confused and heart broken and so is my whole team of The Voice. We were happy when we were serving the Community, The Voice team has always put their lives in danger happily for the sake of our innocent Christian brothers and sisters, we have happily and bravely held bullets and threats on our vehicles and on our heads and hearts but this time we all are very discouraged and shocked on the act of Christians as a reaction of the Church Blasts. I am confused whether to salute Akash Masih and Moosa Tanveer Masih for saving the entire community from a huge loss by holding the terrorists on the gates of both churches and not letting them in, and therefore they both Moosa and Akash were martyred when terrorists blasted themselves on the gates of the churches or to condemn and Mourn on the death of Christian Spirit from the hearts of my fellow brothers and sisters. We also condemn the Christian’s attack and insult on Christian Human Rights activists including Joseph Francis who were there to help them or at least to support them. People attacked Joseph Francis and some other Human Rights activists, Slapped and insulted him saying that he belongs to photo session group who just take pictures and do nothing for the community. I am witness of this barbarism when Christians burnt two people alive, I cannot sleep, I cannot eat. I don’t know why God has shown me all this. The funerals of the deceased Christians will be done tomorrow and some are today. Me and my team are mourning on the death of our brothers and sisters and also mourning on the loss of Christian spirit from our fellow Christians of Yohanaabad. Please pray for them all so that they realize the true spirit of Christ’s forgiveness and peace and also realize their sins and mistakes. Please pray for THE VOICE team for their efforts and extra-ordinary services for the community as always and therefore suffer threats and insecurity thus mental torture.
Reported by,
Aneeqa M. Anthony
Coordinator,
The Voice Society
Human Rights Lawyer and defender
