ICC Note:

Over the Christmas holiday, Christians in Pakistan were able to hold the first Christmas parade in Lahore in a decade. Previously, the event had been canceled due to security concern. This Christmas was a peaceful holiday for the Christian community of Pakistan. Over the past two years, major Christians holidays have been marred by terrorist attacks on the religious minority community. In 2016 and 2015, the Easter holiday has been a time when Christians have been attacked by the Taliban. 

12/27/2016 Pakistan (Herald Malaysia Online) – Thousands of Santa Clauses thronged central Lahore last weekend for a traditional Christmas parade, the first time in a decade after security fears brought a halt to the event.

The organizers waved a large Pakistani flag from a float that featured nativity characters and a choir singing carols.

Noman Saeed, a bakery salesman, recorded the parade on his mobile phone with his friends.

“Everybody has his own way of celebrating holy feasts. There is no need to stop religious minorities. Christmas also helps our businesses as demand for special cakes increases in this season,” Saeed said.

The hour-long parade was organized by the Junior Church Department of Raiwind Diocese, which brought together Sunday school teachers, students and parents from 25 Protestant Churches. Church of Pakistan Bishop Samuel Azariah of Raiwind Diocese led the parade with four pastors.

“We waited till the last day but there were only verbal assurances for the public parade. Only three traffic wardens helped us. Still, we thank the administration for supporting us in continuing a tradition that had come to a halt due to terrorism. However the security given to churches on Sunday has loopholes,” Bishop Azariah said.

“We hope the parade would give a spiritual boost to local Christians. But we do not depend on government security for such events,” he said. “The event is our message to the whole nation that Christians also exist; we also have religious freedom. Our persecution will end.”

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