RAWALPINDI: The church hall was decorated with lights and flowers and the altar and podium draped in brightly coloured fabric, while churchgoers prayed and cleric read from the Holy Bible on Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The churches of Rawalpindi and Islamabad thrummed with activity as people gathered on Easter Sunday, which marks the end of 40 days of fasting known as Lent. The last week of Lent is also known as the Holy Week, with prayers held on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

At large congregations on Sunday, Christians prayed for peace, love and brotherhood in the world. Members of the clergy also emphasised the need for religious tolerance and fraternity, and Reverend Emanuel at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) Church said: “Jesus Christ’s message of love and peace needs to be spread across the globe. We have to play our role for the development of the country with other countrymen.”

Arman Francis, who was at the HFH Church said Easter is a joyous occasion, for which people gather at church and at home to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

One of the attractions of the holiday, particularly for children, are Easter eggs, which symbolise a new life. The chocolate eggs become available at sweet shops and bakeries around Easter season. Sold for Rs300 to Rs500 per egg, those who cannot afford the store bought variety exchange decorated eggshells instead.

Shaukat Masih, a resident of Christian Colony behind HFH, said prepared Easter eggs are expensive, and so they chose to decorate eggshells as presents for relatives. He said Easter is a time for family, adding that he had invited his siblings to have dinner together.

The district administration and Rawalpindi police made special arrangements to secure churches, and leaders of political parties visited predominantly Christian localities to express solidarity.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2017