Christians visit a Shia place of worship in Lahore (VIDEO)
A group of Christians and local activists meet at the Karbla Gamay Shah, a Shia ceremonial hall, to send a clear message to extremists that “we are not divided." They received a warm welcome from Shias, who are preparing to celebrate the most important day of the holy month of Muharram.
Lahore (AsiaNews) – A delegation of more than 20 Christians and local activists visited a Shia place of worship to send a clear message against terrorism during the holy month of Muharram, the first on the Islamic lunar calendar.
The group came to the entrance of Karbla Gamay Shah in Lahore, one of the world’s most famous Imambargahs (congregation hall for Shia ceremonies), chanting patriotic slogans in praise of peace. They were welcomed by Shia clerics, who placed garlands of flowers on them, launched welcome petals and accompanied them into the courtyard of the temple, which dates back to the 19th century.
The visit took place last Saturday evening. For Samson Salamat, chairman of the Christian Movement Rawadari Tehreek (Movement for tolerance), "The aim is to give a clear message to extremists that we are not divided. Both Christians and Shias are victims of violence in this country."
The Hussainiat, or Imambargah, is a Shia ceremonial hall. The name is associated with Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad and the third Shia imam, who was killed in 680 AD by the Umayyad caliph Yazid I, at Karbala, Iraq.
In such places, Shias mark Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, an observance that reaches its apex on Ashura, the 10th day of the commemoration.
"The Hussainiat is a symbol of a philosophy that opposes the tyranny,” Salamat said. “Let us put an end to the practice of labelling as 'infidels' those who speak of love and unity."
Others present at the ceremony spoke of the frequent threats to places of worship and thanked Christians for "the great show of solidarity."
Later the Christian visitors removed their shoes and visited the interior of the place, stopping in several places reserved for prayer.
The Shia ritual hall has often been the target of extremist attacks. In 2011, a teenager blew himself up during a procession that was taking place near the Imambargah. The death toll was heavy: 13 dead and 80 wounded. The previous year, also near the temple, more suicide bombings struck the procession at several points, killing eight people and wounding 190.
The moment of greatest danger is on Ashura. This year the alert remains high and Shia clerics have already met with government authorities to organise the security measures to protect the faithful.
Syed Waqar ul Hasnain Naqvi, a Shia cleric, told AsiaNews that " CCTV cameras were installed along the route of the procession. About 80,000 participants are expected with 2,000 volunteers to control the crowd."
“Our Christian and Muslim brothers from the Rawadari Tehreek Movement have always protested in the streets against the attack on religious places,” the cleric said. “On behalf of the entire Shia community, I salute their passion. The Church leadership should encourage such groups."
Sadia Sohail Rana, a Muslim Member of the Punjab Assembly, thanked the Shias for the warm welcome. “We are both followers of those who gave their lives for the sake of humanity. One (Jesus) died on the cross, whilst the other (Imam Hussain) was martyred in Karbala. They were king and prince, but died for us sinners.”
"Only an inner change,” she noted, “can defeat the terror war. Attacks against mosques and churches are an attack against humanity."
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24/06/2022 19:32
