Pakistani mother prays for martyred son's cause for Sainthood

In March 2015, a 20-year-old Pakistani Catholic called Akash gave his life to save the lives of countless others. As we approach the sixth anniversary of his martyrdom, his mother prays that the cause of his sainthood will soon gain momentum.

By ACN Staff

Akash’s mother Naz Bano and her family. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

On the 15th March 2015, the Pakistani city of Lahore was hit by two suicide bombings. The targets were two churches in the city’s Christian quarter Youhanabad. Around 20 people were killed and another 80 injured in this atrocity. One of the churches targeted was St. John’s Catholic Church, which was packed with 2500 people for Mass at the time of the bombing. A greater tragedy was averted by the fact the suicide bomber who attacked the church was unable to enter the building. This was because of the actions taken by a 20-year-old-man called Akash Bashir.

Komash and Ramish Bashir, sister and brother of Akash. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need/Magdalena Wolnik)

Akash was a young volunteer who helped to provide security at St. John’s Catholic Church. Akash’s mother, Naz Bano, recalls that her son was very committed to guarding the church during Mass:

We moved to Youhanabad in 2008. In November 2014, Akash joined the team of volunteer security guards of our church. All denominations were recruiting youth following the 2013 suicide bomb attack at All Saints Church in Peshawar City, in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. We used to watch protestors demanding justice for the victims of the Peshawar Church bombing. Akash used to discuss it with his friends and kept insisting for three months that he wanted to guard the church. He was ready to sacrifice his life if God gave him a chance to protect others.

Akash’s family. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

The day of the bombing, in March 2015, occurred during Lent. Akash’s mother was washing cloths when her son went out to guard the church. Shortly afterwards she heard an explosion. Akash was standing guard with two other men, Youssuf and Sikander, when the attack began. Youssuf was killed in a shower of gunfire at the beginning of the attack. The policemen who were supposed to be helping guard the church were instead watching a World Cup cricket match. A suicide bomber than ran towards the church, believing his way had been cleared to massacre the faithful inside. Instead, Akash grabbed hold of the suicide bomber as Sikander began to close the church’s gate. Akash was recorded as saying to the suicide bomber: “I will die but I will not let you enter the church”. The terrorist detonated his bomb, killing himself and Akash instantly. Sikander was injured by the blast but did survive. Akash’s actions save the lives of dozens if not over a hundred people. The devastation that would have occurred if the suicide bomber detonated his bomb in the church does not bear thinking of.

Memorial to Akash outside St. John’s Catholic Church. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)

Akash’s mother rushed out into the street after hearing the blast. She ran towards the church with her younger son. There she saw Akash’s body lying amongst the devastation. Akash’s family were devastated by the loss of their 20-year-old son. The Church has stepped in to help provide for the bereaved families of the 2015 suicide bombings. Akash’s brother Arsalan has joined the security team guarding St. John’s Church to take the place of his brother. Akash has not been forgotten by the faithful of St. John’s Church. There is a memorial to him outside the church and his mother, Naz Bano, is frequently accompanied to his grave by local nuns and the parish priest. The cause for Akash’s sainthood has been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Akash’s mother is praying that the cause of her martyred son’s sainthood will soon gain momentum.