Almas: A Family Tragedy
When an extremist mob swept through the city of Gojra in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, in August 2009, Almas Hamid’s life was changed forever.
In the ensuing violence, he lost seven members of his family.
As a 1,000-strong mob rampaged through the city, his father Hameed offered a drink to a policeman suffering in the heat. He was shot dead.
The family fled to a nearby church. Here they encountered extremists “grabbing the cross and smacking it with their shoes.”. They were also burning bibles, he said.
The family took refuge in their home, but were trapped inside when it was set alight. Only Almas and two if his children – Anosh, 13, and eight-year-old Kasia – escaped. The rest, including Almas’s wife, brother and two of his children, died in the fire.
Almas Hamid's son, Moosa, who died when the house was torched by extremists
Thirteen-year-old Anosh Hamid survived an arson attack along with his father and sister in Gojra. The rest of the family perished
Almas Hamid's brother, Akhlas, who died in an arson attack by extremists in Pakistan
Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad presides over the funeral of members of Almas Hamid's family, who died in extremist violence
Omaya Hamid, who died with six other members of her family when extremists burnt their home down
Hameed Masih, Almas Hamid's father, who was shot dead during anti-Christian violence in Gojra
Almas Hamid's wife, pictured with her son, Moosa. Both died in the fire at their home in Gojra
Kasia Hamid, Alams Hamid's eight-year-old daughter, who survived an arson attack on their home in Gojra
Christians mourn victims of extremist violence in Gojra, Pakistan
Almas said he would only forgive the attackers when they were brought to justice. But, he added, “it is because of our Christian faith that we have suffered in this way.
“I believe our experience will bear fruit. The blood of our family will bear fruit for the Church in Pakistan.”
Read more about the anti-Christian attacks in Gojra
