Grieving Minister Launches Appeal

After the suicide bombing at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan three weeks ago that killed several members of his family, the Rev Aftab Gohar, minister at Abbotsgrange Church, Grangemouth is desperately trying to raise money to have a surviving niece brought to the UK for specialist treatment for a spinal injury incurred in the blast.

“My niece, Farah Javed (23) sustained a spinal injury in the attack and is paralysed from the waist down. There is no further treatment available for her in Pakistan but I believe that the treatment she could get over here might help her walk again.

“I can’t leave her there with no hope. All the others injured in the attack are getting treatment, but the doctors there feel there is nothing they can do for her. I must try to give her a chance. It will cost a great deal of money to bring her here and have her examined. I am trying to get in touch with neurosurgeons and consultants at the moment to assess the cost but as she’s not eligible for NHS treatment, it will all have to be paid for.

“The local newspaper, the Falkirk Herald, has started an appeal to try to raise money as well, and the church treasurer is also setting up a separate fund to put any monies donated through the church.

“With this kind of injury, time really is of the essence. The sooner she can get treatment for her injuries, the better her chance of some recovery.”

Aftab has been minister at Abbotsgrange for five years.

On the morning of the bombing he was preparing to lead the service of dedication for the Boys and Girls Brigade.

“At 08.10 I got a text message that told me about the bombing at All Saints. “I knew that all my family would be there at the service – it was our church for generations. My parents were baptised and married there – I was baptized there myself.

“I immediately tried calling but it was chaotic. I managed to talk to my mother. She’d been hurt in the blast and told me that her stomach hurt. I knew I’d have to go to Pakistan as soon as I could, but I took the service because I didn’t want to disappoint the youngsters.

“When I finished it, I got a further call to say that my mother had died from her wounds, as well as several of my nieces, nephews and other relatives. 122 people died that day, with another 170 injured.

“I can’t believe this has happened to my family. I am devastated.”

In a remarkable act of humanity, Aftab has forgiven the killers.

“It is wrong what these people did,” he said. “But I forgive them. Forgiving is what we learn from the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why I forgive.”

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