LAHORE: Scores of Muslim men, women and children formed a human shield around St Anthony’s Church here on Sunday to stand in defiance of those who seek to harm it.

The participants of the shield which was a part of the National Day of Prayer and Resistance included members of the civil society, religious scholars and citizens.

The event was arranged by Pakistan for All that is a collective of concerned citizens outraged by the persecution of minorities in Pakistan.

The participants raised slogans against those killing minorities and attacking their places of worships in the country without any reason. The message was that Islam is a religion of peace and it teaches kindness towards others.

Another message was to show the perpetrators that Muslims in Pakistan were with minorities especially their Christian brethren. Ziad Zafar, one of the organisers said,

This is an existential fight for all Pakistanis. If we cannot protect the weakest among us, then we don't deserve to be a nation. Pakistan for All is committed to fight all those that seek to oppress our brothers and sisters. We will stand in the way of the suicide bomber.

“The animals who attacked the Christian community are not only enemies of Pakistan but are also enemies of Islam. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has clearly told us that those that oppress and kill non-Muslims who are in a pact with Islam will be taken to task on the Day of Judgment.

I urge all Muslims to go out and be part of this initiative to protect our Christian community and their places of worship,” said Dr Khalid Zaheer, a religious scholar.