KARACHI-
In defiance of the recent sectarian attacks on Shiite mosques in different cities of Pakistan, citizens in Karachi formed a human chain around the city’s Imambargah Shah-e-Najaf on Friday.
The event was arranged by non-profit organisation Pakistan Youth Alliance (PYA) which was founded in 2007 and consists of young activists promoting a religiously harmonious, and politically and economically progressive Pakistan.
PYF advertised the event on social media, urging the youth to step out and volunteer to give out a message of unity.
The attendants, lead by Muhammad Jibran Nasir, held placards expressing solidarity with the victims of the sectarian attacks and demanding an end to ‘Shia Genocide.’
Speaking to a media outlet, Nasir said that activists in other cities should follow suit and form a ‘shield against terrorism’.
Proud of all Karachites who gathered today to form human chain outside Imambargah Shah e Najaf #ShiaSunniBhaiBhai pic.twitter.com/3Hu5BdMC01
— Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) February 20, 2015
Proud of all Karachites who gathered today to form human chain outside Imambargah Shah e Najaf #ShiaSunniBhaiBhai pic.twitter.com/3Hu5BdMC01
— Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) February 20, 2015
Shiites have been targeted across the country within a few weeks with the latest attack on Qasr-e-Sakina Imambargah in Rawalpindi on Feb 18 in which three people were killed.
On Feb 14, a gun and bomb attack on an Imambargah in Hayatabad area of Peshawar led to the killing of at least 21 people. 50 others were also injured when suicide bombers and gunmen attacked worshippers during Friday prayers.
On Janauary 30, 61 Shiites lost their lives in a suicide bombing at an Imambargah in Shikarpur,Sindh.
Jundullah, a terrorist group in allegiance with the radical terror group Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the three attacks.
On January 10, an attack on an Imambargah in Rawalpindi killed eight people. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) group Jamatul Ahrar had claimed responsibility for the attack.
