Across Pakistan, security forces have been deployed to protect churches and other sites of Christmas celebration. This has been done in an effort to protect the country’s Christian community against the potential of terrorist attack. International Christian Concern reports.

“It is encouraging to see enhanced security outside the churches,” Aqeela Sikander, a Christian resident of Rawalpindi, told Gulf News. “We hope for a merrier and safer Christmas and will be praying for unity and safety.”

In Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city, more than 1,000 police officers have been deployed in and around Christian places of worship. In Punjab, Pakistan’s most populated province and home to the majority of the country’s Christians, more than 36,000 security officers are on specific Christmas security assignments.

Christians make up only 2.6% of Pakistan’s total population. Religious extremists and terrorists often target Christian places of worship during major holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. Hopefully Pakistan’s beefed up security will prevent any incidents in 2019.