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(Photo : Khalid Mahmood/Wikimedia/CC) A church in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Threatened with violence, hundreds of Christians in Pakistan fled from their homes and chose to celebrate Christmas in another place.
Hundreds of families in Charar, a neighborhood in Lahore fled their homes and sought shelter with friends and relatives. The group of believers left their homes after receiving threats of violence from a mob of Muslims.
According to a statement from a displaced Christian who spoke with the International Christian Concern, the threat broke out after a local pastor posted a faith-based post on social media which the Muslims did not like.
Christmas celebrated with fervour in twin cities
Prayers offered for an end to the pandemic across the world
December 26, 2020
ISLAMABAD:
Christmas was celebrated by the Christian community in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with fervour and enthusiasm like the rest of the country. Christian devotees went to churches for the Christmas Mass in large numbers.
The prayer ceremonies were held in the churches under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised for the prevention of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Special prayers were offered for peace in the country and an end to the pandemic across the world.
In Rawalpindi, St Joseph s Catholic Church in Lalkurti held prayer ceremonies. The prayer service began at 10:30am and bells rang in the churches which were beautifully decorated. A large number of men and women, elders and children from the Christian community attended the Mass. Bishop of Rawalpindi Joseph Arshad gave the main sermon of the day. Rawalpind
People were asked to follow the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) while attending the services.
The community members met their friends and relatives outside the churches. Most of the people who arrived with their families to attend the Christmas services were in a hurry.
Security arrangements were made by the Rangers and police in main worship places of Christians including St. Jospeh’s Cathedral, Christ Church near Pear Continental Hotel and St. Paul’s Church in front of the main gate of the GHQ.
The main roads were closed during the Christmas services.
Several churches organised midnight services on Thursday where prayers were offered. The midnight services were followed by morning services at different churches.