Prayers for Peshawar

Prayers for Peshawar

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Candles were lit in Rochdale at KYP’s Unity House on Tuesday (23 December)  as people from all communities gathered to pay their respects to 145 children and teachers who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attack in Pakistan at the Army Public School in the city of Peshawar.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday 16 December, was the deadliest terrorist attack to ever hit Pakistan.

The morning of remembrance was organised by Hamer Youth Group and KYP. Organisers of the 90-minute event said they condemned the terrorist attack, which has led to a huge feeling of sorrow and grief worldwide.

“After witnessing the horrific scenes of what happened in Peshawar and how innocent children were brutally killed, we wanted to show our solidarity with the victims and show that we are with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan,” said Sohail Hussain, from Rochdale.

“Along with this we wanted to show that terrorists use the name of religion to commit such heinous crimes, but terrorism has no religion and we condemn such acts.”

The event began with the recitation of poetry by participants in both English and Urdu. Mohammed Sheraz, from the local community spoke about how the tragic event of Peshawar did not only affect the Pakistani community, but it affected people worldwide as it was a matter of humanity.

Imam Maulana Kauser, from Rochdale, gave reference from the Quran, stating how terrorism has no place in the religion of Islam.

He stated that terrorism has “nothing to do with Islam or its peaceful teachings” and it gives clear-cut rebuttals of arguments made by terrorists, stating that those who commit these acts are “disbelievers.”

Candles were lit in remembrance of the victims, followed by two minute silence and a collective prayer.