Pakistani youth who gave his life to prevent terrorist attack is symbol of Christian unity

Lima Newsroom, Jan 25, 2025 / 10:00 am (CNA).

During this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a group of believers from different Christian denominations made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Akash Bashir, the young Pakistani Salesian who sacrificed his life in 2015 to prevent a terrorist attack at his church.

In Pakistan, a traditionally Islamic nation, everyone considers Servant of God Akash Bashir a martyr, according to the Vatican news agency Fides. His figure has become one “that unites Christians of all confessions.” Muslims also venerate him.

“His sacrifice, giving his life to protect the innocent people praying in St. John Church in Lahore, transcends the boundaries of the Church and stands as a bridge for interreligious dialogue with the Muslim community,” Fides noted.

As part of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity activities, an ecumenical prayer service took place at his burial place in which the participants “entrusted the lives of Christians in Pakistan to the intercession of this young man.”

Among them were a Catholic priest, Father Lazar Aslam, and two Protestant pastors, I.B. Rocky and Samuel Ashan Khokhar. The latter recalled that fateful day of March 15, 2015, when Bashir saved many lives by bravely confronting a terrorist who intended to blow himself up inside the church.

“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,” Khokhar said.

“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,” the pastor related.

Aslam highlighted the “powerful symbol of unity and interreligious communion” that the legacy of the young Pakistani represents. “His figure attracts people of different faiths and even non-Christians who come to visit and pray at his tomb,” he said.

“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 priest said.

Who was Akash Bashir?

Bashir was born in Pakistan on June 22, 1994, to a poor family. He studied at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lahore, leading a simple family life and giving an important place to sports and prayer.

On March 15, 2015, the 20-year-old discovered that a person who wanted to enter the church was carrying explosives under his clothes. He tried to stop him from going inside but could not convince the terrorist to back off.

Bashir then locked his arms tightly around the terrorist and said: “I will die, but I will not let you enter the church.” The attacker set off the explosives, killing himself, Bashir, and two others.  With his heroic act he prevented hundreds of people from perishing during the Mass.

Today, more than 800 Catholic baptisms are celebrated annually at St. John’s Church in Lahore, and many young people have joined the active life of the parishes. Moreover, for religious minorities, Bashir is “a blessing.”

In 2024, the diocesan phase of the cause for beatification and canonization of Bashir concluded, and he could become Pakistan’s first martyr.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261793/pakistani-youth-who-gave-his-life-to-prevent-terrorist-attack-is-symbol-of-christian-unity