These were the final words of Akash Bashir, a 20-year-old Catholic from Lahore, Pakistan, who sacrificed his life on March 15, 2015, to prevent a suicide bomber from entering St. John’s Church in Youhanabad during Sunday Mass. His courageous act saved hundreds and marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey toward sainthood.
In 2022, Pope Francis declared Akash a Servant of God, making him the first Pakistani to receive this title from the Catholic Church. As the Church marks the 10th anniversary of his death, Akash remains a powerful symbol of faith, sacrifice, and youthful holiness, an inspiration to young people not only in Pakistan but around the world.
In this email interview with RVA writer Lavoisier Fernandes, Fr. Noble Lal, SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Technical and Youth Centre in Lahore and a key figure in promoting Akash’s cause for beatification, shares deep insights into the young martyr’s life, character, and enduring witness.
Excerpts below:
Share a bit about Akash Bashir’s early life and his time at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lahore?
Akash was born on June 22, 1994, in Risalpur, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. His family later moved to Youhanabad, Lahore, where he enrolled at Don Bosco Technical Institute, studying there from April 2010 to February 2011.
He came from a modest, faith-filled family. Akash was known for his simplicity, obedience, and kindness. He had a joyful spirit, was always ready to lend a hand, and was deeply respected by peers and elders alike.
He had a strong devotion to the Eucharist and a vibrant prayer life. Before his death, he once told a friend about a dream he had, of dying while serving others and doing good.
In what ways did Akash’s Catholic faith impact his daily life and character, particularly during his time at Don Bosco?
Akash's Catholic faith profoundly influenced his character. At Don Bosco, he was immersed in Salesian spirituality, which emphasized a deep personal relationship with Christ and service to others. His faith wasn’t just a Sunday practice; it was a guiding force in everything he did.
He would often pause for prayer at the grotto in the courtyard of St John's Catholic Church before his service as a security volunteer.
Akash’s ultimate act of courage, sacrificing his life to prevent a suicide bomber from entering a church filled with worshippers is seen as the ultimate expression of his faith.
His last words, "I will die, but I will not let you in," perfectly express his courage and devotion rooted in his belief.
On that tragic day in 2015, can you describe Akash’s actions and how events unfolded?
On that tragic day in 2015, Akash Bashir was serving as a volunteer security guard at the entrance of St. John's Catholic Church in Youhanabad, Lahore. It was a Sunday and hundreds of people were inside the church, attending the mass.
A suspicious man attempted to enter the building. Akash recognized that the man was wearing explosives. Eyewitnesses reported that Akash confronted the bomber at the door, saying, "I will die before letting you enter."
He then embraced the suicide bomber with all his strength to prevent him from entering the packed church and causing a massacre. Unable to proceed inside, the bomber detonated the explosives.
The blast killed both Akash Bashir and the suicide bomber outside the church. Akash's courageous action is credited with saving the lives of the many worshippers inside St. John's Catholic Church that day.
What qualities made Akash stand out, especially in moments of courage and self-sacrifice?
He had a deep and sincere Catholic faith that was a guiding principle in his life. He was an obedient son, humble worker, and a caring friend reflecting values emphasized in his faith. Even before the tragic event, Akash was known for being charitable and always ready to help others, especially the poor and those facing mistreatment.
In the face of extreme danger, he did not hesitate to confront the suicide bomber. His immediate reaction was to protect the lives of the hundreds of people inside the church, prioritizing their safety over his own. His actions reflected the core Christian teaching of loving God and one's neighbour, even to the point of laying down his life.
What does Akash Bashir’s martyrdom mean to the Church in Pakistan?
Akash's story can inspire individuals to live their faith more deeply and to act courageously in the face of danger or injustice. His sacrifice and martyrdom can affirm the belief that faith is worth defending, even at the cost of one's life.
For Catholics, recognizing Akash as a potential saint means that he could one day be recognized as someone who can intercede with God on behalf of those who pray to him. Remembering Akash as a martyr can create a sense of solidarity with the suffering of the Christian community in Pakistan and other parts of the world.
Akash's sacrifice is seen by some as an example of the "ecumenism of blood," a term Pope Francis had used to describe how Christians of different denominations are united in their suffering and martyrdom.
In this case, it also resonated beyond religious boundaries, as a Muslim donated marble for his grave.
What message do you hope Akash’s martyrdom sends to the global Church, especially amid today’s religious extremism and violence?
As we reflect on the sacrifice of martyrs throughout history, I hope several powerful messages will resonate deeply within the global Catholic church community, especially as we confront the grave challenges of modern-day religious extremism and violence.
Martyrs, in their final acts, demonstrate a profound and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings, particularly the commandment to love God and neighbour.
Their willingness to face death rather than renounce their faith or engage in violence stands as the ultimate witness to the transformative power of love and the truth of the Gospel.
While martyrdom is a tragic reality, it is ultimately rooted in the hope of the Resurrection. Martyrs die in the belief that death is not the end, but a passage to eternal life with Christ. This hope empowers us to face the challenges of our time with courage and resilience.
In your view, could Akash Bashir be seen as a modern-day St. Dominic Savio of Asia?
There are some parallels in their young age and deep faith, but directly calling Akash the "St. Dominic Savio of Asia" might be an oversimplification. Akash sacrificed his life to prevent a suicide bomber from entering a church and harming hundreds of people.
This act of heroic self-sacrifice is central to his story and the reason for his recognition as a Servant of God, the first step towards potential sainthood.
While both Akash and St. Dominic Savio were young individuals who demonstrated remarkable faith, their paths and the specific nature of their holiness are different.
It is more accurate to say that Akash is a significant figure in Asia, particularly in Pakistan, recognized for his martyrdom and heroic sacrifice in protecting his community.
Comparing him to St. Dominic Savio highlights his youth and deep faith, but his ultimate act of giving his life for others is a distinct characteristic of his witness.
