Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Political leaders must be "active promoters of social and interreligious harmony, helping to build bridges between believers of different religions in Pakistan and establishing education programs that promote peace and dialogue in the national education system." This is what the National Council for Interreligious Dialogue requested at a recent meeting with Muhammad Iqbal Rana, President of the Provincial Parliament of Punjab in Pakistan where, in the last two years, there has been an increase in cases of violence, accidents, and human rights violations against non-Muslim religious minorities.
The delegation of the Council – an organization dedicated to promoting harmony and solidarity among religions in Pakistan - included representatives from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Parsi religions, as well as members of NGOs. The meeting took place in recent days, while the country reported the news of cases of violence against Christians (see Fides 22/3/2010) which have occurred, as one Christian Council member told Fides, "not by the hand fundamentalist militant groups, but by ordinary Muslim citizens, who in their daily lives harass, try to subdue and oppress citizens of the Christian religion. This is an unacceptable attitude that must be fought through education of society, beginning with children and young people."
Pir Shafaat Rasool, Islamic leader and member of the Council, told Fides: "Islam is a religion that teaches or accepts discrimination. Indeed, it recognizes the full rights of non-Muslim minorities in Islamic states."
Fr. Francis Nadeem, OFM Cap, head of the delegation that met with the President, stressed the importance of “the involvement of the institutions and politicians who can play an active role to raise awareness, to educate towards harmony and dialogue between communities and citizens of different cultures and religions."
President Rana Muhammad Iqbal welcomed the findings of the Council, wishing success to the efforts and projects of the religious leaders, and saying: "We are all citizens of Pakistan, beyond caste, gender, religion, or ethnicity. Our Constitution guarantees equal rights for all. We are all called to work for the prosperity and welfare of the country. We must fight together against terrorism and against discrimination." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2010)
