By Lavoisier Fernandes –
The Universal Catholic Church has been graced with countless saints whose faith and courage have shaped the course of history.
Today, a new generation of holy young people—millennials deeply rooted in Christ—are making their way toward sainthood. Among them are Pierangelo Capuzzimati, Sr. Clare Crockett, Matteo Farina, Helena Agnieszka Kmieć, Carlo Acutis, and Akash Bashir.
Akash Bashir, a former Salesian student from Pakistan, stands out for his extraordinary bravery and unwavering devotion.
On January 31, 2022, Pope Francis declared him a Servant of God—making Akash the first Pakistani to be officially recognized on the path to sainthood.
At just 20, Akash gave his life to stop a suicide bomber from entering St. John’s Catholic Church in Lahore, saving hundreds during Sunday Mass.
This article is based on an interview conducted through a series of email exchanges in April 2025, during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Salesians’ mission in Pakistan. The interview, held with Fr. Noble Lal, SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Technical and Youth Centre in Lahore, has been edited for length and clarity and is presented below.
Fr. Noble—alongside former missionary Fr. Gabriel Cruz, SDB, now serving as Vice Postulator for the Salesians of Don Bosco—is one of the key figures behind Akash Bashir’s beatification process. He offers powerful insights into Akash’s life, character, and enduring witness of faith and hope.
Lavoisier: Share a bit about Akash Bashir’s early life and his time at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Lahore?
Fr. Noble Lal : 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.
Lavoisier: In what ways did Akash’s Catholic faith impact his daily life and character, particularly during his time at Don Bosco?
Fr. Noble Lal : 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.
Lavoisier: On that tragic day in 2015, can you describe Akash’s actions and how events unfolded?
Fr. Noble Lal : 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 Sunday Mass, and hundreds of people were inside the church.
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.
Lavoisier: What qualities made Akash stand out, especially in moments of courage and self-sacrifice?
Fr. Noble Lal: The following qualities were deeply rooted in Akash’s faith and character, culminated in his heroic act of self-sacrifice:
- Strong Faith: He had a deep and sincere Catholic faith that was a guiding principle in his life.
- Obedience and Humility: He was an obedient son, humble worker, and a caring friend reflecting values emphasized in his faith.
- Charity and Service: Even before the tragic event, Akash was known for being charitable and always ready to help others, especially the poor and those facing mistreatment.
- Courage: In the face of extreme danger, he did not hesitate to confront the suicide bomber.
- Selflessness: His immediate reaction was to protect the lives of the hundreds of people inside the church, prioritizing their safety over his own.
- Love for God and Neighbour: His actions reflected the core Christian teaching of loving God and one’s neighbour, even to the point of laying down his life.
Lavoisier: What does Akash Bashir’s martyrdom mean to you and the Church?
Fr. Noble Lal : 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.
Lavoisier: What message do you hope Akash’s martyrdom sends to the global Church, especially amid today’s religious extremism and violence?
Fr. Noble Lal : 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.
Lavoisier: In your view, could Akash Bashir be seen as a modern-day St. Dominic Savio of Asia?
Fr. Noble Lal : There are some parallels in their young age and deep faith, 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.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.