ISLAMABAD: Victims of the November 14 Paris attacks were remembered on Sunday during a service at the Saint Thomas Church in G-7/2. Later, around 50 people gathered outside the church and held a vigil.

The service was conducted by Pastor Amanuel Lorain, and churchgoers prayed for the departed souls. Later, people held a vigil outside the church to honour the victims.

One of the participants, Yaqoob Masih, told Dawn that he was shocked when he learnt of the attacks.

“I cannot help those who have been injured or the relatives of those who have died but I decided to participate in the vigil and pray for all the victims of the Paris attacks,” he said.

“I believe that it was not the people of France who have been attacked, but that it is the freedom of the people of the world which was attacked by some extremists. The people of Pakistan will continue supporting the people of France, and they equally feel the pain of the victims,” Mr Masih said.

Church office manager Naseem Bhatti said that during the service, participants prayed that God show those who planned and executed the attacks the ‘right path’.

“We condemn the attack and feel sorrow for the victims. And our vigil will also give a positive message about Pakistan, because there is a general impression in the international community that Pakistanis are extremists and that they are involved in terrorist activities,” he said.

A candlelight vigil was also held in Taxila, at the ancient Buddhist Dharmarjika Stupa. Students, politicians, representatives from various NGOs, journalists and social workers attended the vigil to condemn the deadly attacks and express sympathy with the victims and their families.

The vigil was organised by an NGO. The organisation’s president, Asim Meer, said: “We offer our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to France, its people and its government after their heinous terrorist attack.”

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2015