[Today’s Prayer] Pakistani Islamic sectarian conflict leaves 133 dead, settles with elders' mediation

The bloody clash between Islamic sects that began in northwestern Pakistan in November last year and left over 130 people dead has ended with a peace agreement thanks to the mediation of local elders.

According to AP and other sources on the 2nd (local time), Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province government spokesman Mohammed Ali Saif announced the previous day that peace agreement negotiations had been concluded.

Sectarian clashes began in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on November 21 last year.

At the time, two Shiite convoys traveling separately under police protection were shot by armed assailants, killing 52 people. Most of the dead were Shiites.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the incident, sectarian retaliatory attacks have followed.

The two sides later agreed to a ceasefire, but it was never agreed to, resulting in at least 133 deaths and 177 injuries over two months.

In addition, all roads leading to Kurram were blocked, leaving local residents without access to basic necessities. Although the Pakistani authorities supplied basic necessities to residents by helicopter, it was not enough to meet demand, and protests by residents continued.

Accordingly, the elders, with the support of the state government, stepped in to mediate between the sects.

Under the peace agreement, roads connecting Kurram will soon be reopened. The two factions also agreed to dismantle bunkers and hand over weapons to the state government.

Kurram is the only region in Pakistan where Shiites outnumber Sunnis and has seen sectarian clashes over land issues in the past.

In Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, most Muslims are Sunni, with Shiites making up only 15%.

However, if this agreement is not properly implemented, there is a possibility that conflict may recur.

Source: News

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3-4)

God, we are heartbroken to hear that clashes between Islamic sects in the Kurram district of northwestern Pakistan have claimed 133 lives and injured many others.

Lord, we pray for your comfort and true peace for the people of Kurram, who continue to live in fear due to the ongoing conflict between Shiites and Sunnis.

We thank You that in the midst of this turmoil, mediation by local elders has led to the signing of a peace agreement, if only for a short time.

But, Lord, the signing of the peace agreement does not mean that fear will be completely removed and true peace will come to the people of Pakistan in Kurram. ;

It is the Lord alone who gives us true peace and overcomes fear.

We believe that it is Jesus Christ alone who breaks the power of death and gives us true peace. We pray that the people of Kurram will let the love of the cross of Jesus Christ drive away all fear and know true peace through Jesus.

May the poor hearts of the people of Kurram be filled with the hope of heaven and comforted by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May the Church of Pakistan and the World Church go forth with the Gospel in the midst of Kurram for this work. May the love of Your cross be witnessed in Kurram.

Please allow the Church of Pakistan to obey Your calling in the midst of suffering and fulfill its mission to spread the gospel in Kurram and throughout Pakistan. May the Church of Pakistan become more faithful and clear in its mission, and may it be a holy church that boldly goes forth with the gospel in the midst of all suffering.

Lord, may Pakistan rise up as the final weapon of the gospel to spread the gospel among all nations!

Through the people of Pakistan, may the souls of all the suffering nations hear the Gospel and see the grace of coming to the Lord Jesus Christ!