Lahore, Pakistan: September 4, 2010 (Fr. Inayat Bernard) National Council for Inter-faith Dialogue have expressed its grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of precious lives as a result of suicide bomb attacks in a religious gathering of Shiites at Karbala Gamay Shah and Bhati Lahore. They strongly condemned the brutal acts of terrorists who freely target their victims despite having security measures. They demanded the government to be more vigilant and compensate the victims. They extended their solidarity and sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace for the departe souls. The NCID delegation visited Idara Jamia Jamiatul Muntazir (Shia Islamic University) Model Town, Lahore and met with its patron Hafiz Syed Riaz Hussain Najafi, and Allama Mushtaq Hussain Jaffri another Shia leader. The delegation led by Fr. Francis Nadeem expressed solidarity with the Shia leads and said that the incident has shocked the nation and everyone is disturbed over this brutal killing. They added that people of Pakistan irrespective of their religion, caste or creed need solidarity and mutual understanding. Our country is facing numerous challenges and unity among all is the need of the hour. Religious parties, sects and leaders should form unity and preach the same among their followers. Dr. Manohar Chand, a Hindu leader also expressed deep sorrow and shock over the bomb attacks on Shia religious gathering and loss of precious lives. He strongly condemned this barbarious incident. He demanded of the government to be more vigilant and provide fool proof security measures at places of worship. Sardar Bishop Singh, a Sikh leader on behalf of his community expressed sense of grief and pain on the Bhati Gate incident and said they stand united with their Shia brothers at this time of grief. He said on one hand deluge have played havoc in the country while on other we are killing each other like enemies. Qari Talib Hussain Noorani, Principal Madrassa Jamia Zubairul Quran, Lahore said Islam teaches peace and the terrorists are neither Muslims nor human beings. He strongly condemned the terrorist activities in the name of religion. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Shia brothers and we are united irrespective of religion, caste or faith to defend our motherland he concluded. Pastor Niamat Amjed while expressing his views said we equally share the grief and pain of our Shia brothers. He asked God to save the country from the hands of anti-state elements whose only agenda is to destabilizes the country. Shia leader Maulana Mushtaq Hussain Jaffri thanked the delegation for expressing their sympathies and solidarity and appreciated NCID’s gesture of peace and solidarity. Hafiz Syed Riaz Hussain Najafi also thanked the members of the delegation individually and said the efforts of NCID are surely going to bear fruit one day when this country would become cradle of peace. The delegation included representatives of Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities whose names are Jamshed, Pervez Akhtar, Joseph Francis (Director Class), Ashar Malik, Pastor Amjed Niamat, Dr. Manohar Chand (Hindu), Sardar Bishen Singh (Sikh), Fr. Francis Nadeem, Eric John, Pastor Chaman Sardar, Qari Talib Hussain Noorani, Nadeem Anthony (Council member Human Rights Commission of Pakistan) Dr. Kanwal Feroz (Chief Editor Shadab), Yoel Bhatti (Secretary URI), Mohammad Riaz (Tahir-ul-Qadri Group), Samson, Sardar Taranjeet Singh, Anil Gill, Pastor Emmanuel Khokar and Khurram Shahzad. In the end collective prayer was offered for the victims and departed souls of Lahore, Quetta, Pesdwar and Mardan bomb blasts.