Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzi Fides) – Christians in Pakistan define it as “encouraging news”: Muslim civil society groups and individual members of the Muslim faithful are publicly condemning the murder of Minister Shahbaz Bahtti, demanding that the guilty not go unpunished, denying Islamic fanaticism and calling for interreligious harmony. All this occurred yesterday in a public demonstration in Lahore, organised by the Muslim NGO, “Minhaj-ul-Quran International”, based in Lahore, and present in over 100 countries around the world. The organisation which promotes moderate Islam and interreligious dialogue, gathered together faithful Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities who stood side by side to condemn the Minister's murder and demand that the Government put urgent measures in place to combat the rampant religious extremism throughout the country.
Fides sources report that, G.M. Malik, Coordinator general for the Centre for the NGO Interreligious Relations, said that “the entire nation is shocked by Bhatti's murder.” “Islam is a peaceful religion and does not permit anyone to kill innocent people,” he added, recalling that the Prophet Mohammed “gave full rights to non-Muslims in Medina.” “Those who committed this horrendous crime, cannot call themselves Muslims,” he continued, inviting political leaders and police to proceed without delay in the investigations to arrest those responsible. Pakistanis of all religions,” said Malik, “hope that these killers do not achieve their desired plan to destabilise and continually reduce security levels in Pakistan.
Hafiz Ghulam Farid, Director of the Centre, then remarked that “those who killed Bhatti, did not just kill one person, but the entire humanity,” expressing his solidarity as a member of the Islamic community to the Christians and other religious minorities present.
In summary, the Government announced the arrest of a man, suspected of being involved in Bhatti's murder. Pakistani Christians hope that this new element will be crucial in ascertaining the truth and identifying the killers. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/3/2011)
