Minister who fled extremism joins Peeblesshire churches

Reverend Aftab Gohar moved to the town earlier this month after joining from Abbotsgrange in Grangemouth.

Originally from Peshawar in Pakistan, the 54-year-old, his wife Samina and their two sons came to Scotland in 2008 to escape the threat of terrorism.

But in 2013 the Gohar family suffered a tragedy when Aftab's 79-year-old mother, his niece, nephew and two uncles were killed when extremists targeted his home church in Peshawar.

The attack was later claimed by two militant groups linked to the Taliban.

At the time, Rev Gohar told the BBC that he forgave the suicide attackers, saying: "It is wrong what these people did but I forgive them".

When the incident happened, Aftab was the minister at Abbotsgrange Parish Church.

But after more than a decade in the Forth Valley, he says it is time for a change.

He told us: "After 13 years we wanted to move on and Peebles, with all its scenery and beauty, invited us to come here.

"We visited this town three or four times.

"Once on our wedding anniversary we came to Peebles and stayed here.

"We like the scenery and the town as a whole."

Rev. Gohar held his first services in Peebles and Stobo on January 2 and his first in Eddleston on January 9.

And he says parishioners have been more than welcoming.

"I've really enjoyed meeting people in all three churches," he added.

As part of his ministry Rev. Gohar wants to engage with the Peeblesshire community.

He said: "I will try to reach out to the community and serve the community through other ministries, I served in Rotary [before] which is a non-church thing but I love to help the community in different ways.

"My style of ministry is pastoral, so I would love to reach out to people.

"I will not just rely on those people who come to the church on Sunday morning, I will try to reach out to members who are unable to come to church for a variety of reasons.

"My hopes are that these three churches will flourish and work together for the kingdom of God."