Dubai: Emotional tributes in Dubai continue to pour in for victims of the Peshawar school attack, with Dubai students holding a prayer and vigil on Thursday.
Around 200 pupils of Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School (SRAMPS) took part in a funeral prayer held on campus for the 141 people — 132 of them children — that were killed on Tuesday in an attack on a school in Pakistan’s Peshawar city.
“This [Thursday] is the last school day for us (SRAMPS) before our winter break. But for the students in Peshawar [school attack], it was the last day of their lives. They went to school but never came back,” said Aurangzeb Khalid, 15.
In Dubai on Thursday, some school staff, UAE residents and Pakistani consulate staff also joined the short prayer. It was followed by the laying of cards at a wreath there. Students had jotted down messages on the handmade cards, such as “stop killing” and “we want peace”.
Similar events have been held since Tuesday and will continue in the coming days, members of the wider Pakistani community in the UAE said. Non-Pakistanis are also paying tributes.
On Tuesday night, Pakistani Christians paid respects during a religious community event at a Dubai church. Wednesday saw a vigil held at the Pakistani consulate in Dubai; another vigil was held there on Thursday evening.
Earlier on Thursday, Pristine Private School in Dubai also paid tributes. Javed Jalil Khattak, Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, visited both schools.
“I got chocked up when students read out their notes to me; I couldn’t find my own voice when I thanked them for it. Some of them were Pakistani and some were not, but I could see solidarity in all their eyes,” Khattak said.
“I think it is important to bear in mind this is not just about Pakistan anymore. It has transcended geographical boundaries, every sensible human being feels this [sorrow].
“Those who blame Pakistan should realise that Pakistan itself in the biggest victim of brutal attacks. Something must be done about this, and it is being done. I’m confident Pakistan’s government will bring those behind the violence to justice. Pakistanis are pulling together in the face of this menace. We’re the most resilient of people.”
Qayyum Khugani, consul at the Pakistan consulate, and prominent Emirati businessman Suhail Al Zarouni were also present at SRAMPS.
School principal Dr Abdur Rashid Bangash said “children’s reaction has been very strong. Some of them can’t perceive the tragedy. We held a talk recently so they could air out their feelings.
“They just can’t understand how this could have happened to children. I told them, ‘please, don’t dwell too much into this.’”
Dr Bangash added they held the prayer and vigil in part to show children how to deal with the incident.
Student Hidayat Ali, 15, said “violence should never be about children or involve children, there’s no connection between them. Leave them out of this, it’s not fair to children. ”
