“When the news broke, our hearts broke too:” open letter to our sisters in Pakistan.

Dearest friends at Shirkat Gah and other sister organisations in Pakistan,

I am writing on behalf of the Women Living Under Muslim Laws network to express our deep condolences in the wake of yesterday’s attack in Peshawar.  When the news broke, our hearts broke too. 

We cannot imagine how you must be feeling at this time. Everyone in the WLUML network would like to extend their heartfelt wishes to all at Shirkat Gah, and in particular to those working in your Peshawar office. We hope that you and your loved ones remain safe.

Let us honour the lives of the 141 people that were violently taken yesterday by the Taliban, and pray for the recovery of those injured.  We send our thoughts to the families of all those who are affected, and hope that the shows of solidarity which have sprung up around the world since the attack will go some way to comfort them.

We continue to hope that the future will bring a Pakistan free from the violence of fundamentalist ideology and militarism.  We will stand beside everyone at Shirkat Gah as you play your important part in making your country, and the world, a better place. 

In sorrow and solidarity,

Fatou Sow

International Director

Women Living Under Muslim Laws, London