ASIA/PAKISTAN - Pilgrimage and prayer at the tomb of Akash Bashir, a figure who unites Christians of all faiths

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Akash Bashir, the young Catholic for whom the diocese of Lahore has launched the cause of beatification, is a figure who unites Christians of all faiths and is a spiritual reference point for young Pakistanis and for the entire local community. Not only did he sacrifice his life for the good of his neighbor, to defend innocent people who were only praying in a place of worship - the Church of St. John in Lahore - but he is also a symbol of friendship that goes beyond the limits of the Church and becomes a bridge for interreligious dialogue with the Muslim faithful. All this was said and expressed concretely on 18 January last, when, at the beginning of the Week for Christian Unity, celebrated throughout the world - a moment felt and lived with intensity by the faithful of Pakistan - a group of Pakistani Christians of various confessions went on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Akash Bashir, to experience a moment of ecumenical prayer, entrusting the life and destiny of the Christians of Pakistan to the intercession of the young man, whom everyone calls "martyr". The meeting was attended by Fr Lazar Aslam OFMCap, a Capuchin Franciscan priest, and the Protestant Pastor Samuel Ashan Khokhar, who, before the pilgrimage, had also met Fr Nobal Lal SDB, superior of the Salesian community of Don Bosco in Pakistan. Pastor Khokhar recounted his personal experience of the tragic incident in Youhanabad on 15 March 2015, when Akash's courage in the face of the suicide bomber saved many lives. The Pastor was at the scene of the attack and immediately took measures, including securing the area and providing assistance to the injured. Pastor Khokhar organized the transportation of the wounded and deceased to the General Hospital and then to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. "I was in charge of receiving the bodies, placing them in the morgue and making a list of those who had tragically lost their lives. I remember in particular writing the name of Akash Bashir on one of the body bags," he tells Fides. "It was a moving moment when I saw the boy's face. Although lifeless, I was struck by his beauty, I was deeply touched by the smile and serenity that emanated from Akash's face. He radiated a luminous and sacred presence that recalled the first Christian martyrs," he recalls. After the attack, Pastor Khokhar, who was the victim of continued intimidation, was forced to leave Pakistan for a while and today, full of emotion, he expressed and fulfilled his wish to visit the tomb of Akash Bashir. Another Protestant Pastor, I.B. Rocky, was also present at the ecumenical meeting at the Lahore cemetery. Along with the young members of his community, he said: “Akash gives us a strong message to remain firm in faith. It is up to each of us to love and protect our community, following the example of Akash, who sacrificed his life for God, for his Church and for the people.” The Pastor quoted the passage from the Book of Revelation which says: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10), encouraging the faithful to make faith the rock of their lives. Those present prayed with moving words, read and meditated on Bible verses and, in silence, asked for the intercession of the servant of God Akash Bashir for some particular situations. Those present then visited the Catholic Church of St John in Youhanabad, a district of Lahore, where Akash Bashir died. "The legacy of Akash Bashir has become a powerful symbol of unity and interreligious communion: his figure attracts people of different faiths and even non-Christians who come to visit and pray at his tomb," Fr. Lazar Aslam told Fides. "It was a deeply spiritual experience, which created a deep sense of unity, recognizing each other as children of God and sharing humanity. With his sacrifice, Akash Bashir continues to inspire the Pakistani faithful to be in solidarity, to protect their faith and to embody in daily life the values of love, peace and dialogue with every person," the friar concluded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 20/1/2025)

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