PESHAWAR: The Christian community observed Easter with religious fervour and offered prayers in different churches in parts of the provincial metropolis on Sunday.

The community people for the first time since 2013 took out the Easter procession from All Saints Church, Kohati, which passed through the traditional routes via main city Circular Road, Ganj Chowk, Lahori, Chowk Gulbahar, Chowk Dalgaran, Chowk Yadgaar and Qissa Khwani and culminated at the same church.

Pastor Patrick and Pastor Shehzad Murad led the procession of thousands of people, including women and children, under tight security arrangement in and outside the worship places and on the procession route.

Hold candlelight vigil for victims of Sri Lanka bombings

Another sunrise service was held at the Saint John’s Cathedral, Peshawar Saddar, where the procession was led by Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peter and Pastor Joseph. A procession was held within the premises of the church.

Naqash Bhatti, an educationist, told Dawn that the procession route in Kohati had been restored with return of peace in the region. He said that the sunrise services had started at about 4am in which the people took part with great enthusiasm.

The participants, he said, remembered their relatives and friends who were killed in the bomb blasts inside All Saints Church and offered prayers for the departed souls.

Speaking on the occasion, the speakers exhorted the participants to practice patience and spread the message of peace, unity and love and said that together they could address these issues and make this world a peaceful place to live.

The Christian community pledged to work for the welfare of the community and progress and prosperity of the country.

Obaid Bhatti, a local photojournalist, said that the day started with special religious rituals, prayers and exchange of greetings.

“Easter marks the completion of a 40-day period of prayers and fasting. To mark the day of Easter, we go to church to offer prayers and read hymns and songs of celebrations. The day also provides us an opportunity to exchange greetings with our loved ones. It is a great festival for the Christians all over the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, the pastors condemned the bloodshed in different churches in Sri Lanka and described it an inhuman act against the innocent people.

The Christian community also held a candlelight vigil at St John’s Cathedral to pay homage to the people who lost lives in the bombings.

The participants urged the world community to join hands for curbing terrorism, saying that extremists who were taking lives of people did not have any belief or religion.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2019