ASIA/PAKISTAN - Archbishop Arshad: "Attacks on places of worship strengthen unity among believers in Pakistan"

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – "Attacks on places of worship are an attack on interreligious harmony and efforts toward peace: this cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Terrorism has no religion, and such elements that aim to divide society must be stopped," said Msgr. Joseph Arshad Archbishop of Rawalpindi-Islamabad in a message sent to Fides, expressing his outrage and condemning the suicide bombing carried out a few days ago on a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.
On the morning of February 6, a suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque in Islamabad, first shooting at security personnel, then entering the mosque and detonating an explosive vest. At least 31 people were killed and another 169 hospitalized; the death toll continues to rise. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-KP), which operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan and has been involved in a number of recent attacks, claimed responsibility for the attack.
While families mourn their loved ones, the Archbishop expressed his solidarity with the Shiite community and reiterated that “the attack on innocent civilians is a heinous crime against humanity” and that “all believers in Pakistan, regardless of their religion, must remain united to protect religious values and social harmony.” The Archbishop of Rawalpindi-Islamabad expressed his solidarity with those injured in the attack, offered his condolences and prayers to the victims’ families, and assured them that “the Christian community in Pakistan stands with them.”
The Archbishop expressed his confidence in the federal government and its institutions, calling for those responsible for the attack to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. He also addressed the entire population: "Let us show patience, unity, and mutual respect, and spread the message of peace and tolerance instead of hatred, so that such tragic incidents will not be repeated in the future."
The spokesman for the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, Father Qaisar Feroz, OFM Cap, told Fides: "The attack on the place of worship fills us all with great concern. It was carried out in revenge and is intended to send a message to the establishment: The Taliban and terrorists remain powerful and influential. We Christians clearly affirm that the loss of innocent lives cannot be justified by any religious ideology. These attacks, regardless of the community they affect, lead us to draw closer together and support one another in combating extremism and violence and fulfilling our important responsibility to promote peace and fraternity in Pakistan." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 12/2/2026)

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