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All Pakistan Karachi Asia's Largest Cross

Asia's Largest Cross

The bulletproof cross stands at the only operational Christian cemetery in Pakistan's most populated city.

Karachi, Pakistan

Added By
Jackson Hotaling
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The giant cross.   Imran Ahmed / Alamy
The giant cross.   Imran Ahmed / Alamy
Another (much smaller) cross in Karachi’s Gora Qabristan.   Muhammad Imran Saeed
Grave in the cemetery.   Aliraza Khatri
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About

When Parvez Henry Gill woke up from a dream he claimed God appeared in, he realized it was his personal mission to “do something different” and help protect and inspire the Christians in Pakistan, a majority Muslim country.

Gill then financed and oversaw the construction of a 140-foot-tall cross that towers above the entrance to Karachi’s only operational Christian cemetery. When it was finished, the behemoth monument was touted as the largest cross in Asia.

Facing security concerns, Parvez did not tell even the workers the true nature of the project. They built a long squared column first, and added the outward arms of the cross toward the end of the project. When the true intent was discovered midway through construction, 20 workers quit the job. But not all of the workers stopped, making the final result a blend of Christian and Muslim efforts.

Gill claims the cross is bulletproof and can withstand any damage religiously intolerant vandals may subject it to. As it’s made of steel, iron, and cement, it does seem likely the cross will be able to continue standing tall and won’t come down easy.

The Gora Qabristan Cemetery (which roughly translated to “white man’s graveyard”), dates to the British colonial era. The cemetery itself is often vandalized and covered in garbage and is even home to an informal settlement situated on top of several dozens graves.

Related Tags

Crosses Religion Christianity Graveyards Cemeteries Burial Places Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

jacksonhotaling

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

April 27, 2018

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  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistans-biggest-city-has-unlikely-addition-to-skyline-14-story-christian-cross/2015/05/14/cc8cea3e-f268-11e4-bca5-21b51bbdf93e_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7c89160123eb
  • https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/asias-biggest-cross-stands-tall-in-karachi/
  • https://www.dawn.com/news/1183333
  • https://tribune.com.pk/story/868879/representing-minorities-karachi-skyline-will-have-asias-largest-cross/
Asia's Largest Cross
Shahrah-e-Faisal Rd
Karachi
Pakistan
24.856081, 67.049809
Get Directions

Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Karachi

Karachi

Pakistan

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Mazar-e-Quaid

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Photo of Karachi

Karachi

Pakistan

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Stories 3

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