Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - 300 Muslim students armed with iron bars and sticks protesting against the French satirical newspaper "Charlie Hebdo" for publishing blasphemous cartoons of the prophet Mohammed stormed a Christian boys’ school in the city of Bannu, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in northern Pakistan, demanding its closure. As reported to Fides, the protesting students entered the "Panel High School" after jumping its outer walls and forcibly opened the gates. Four Christian students were injured in the attack. The school has been closed for two days and the Headmaster has decided to take additional security measures.
In a note sent to Fides, the Christian Nasir Saeed, director of the NGO "Center for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement" (CLAAS) declares: "It is very sad that Islamic radicals attack Pakistani Christians because of Charlie Hebdo. Christians condemn the blasphemous cartoons. It is a shame that even after 67 years since the birth of Pakistan, Christians have not yet been considered Pakistani citizens, but are seen as 'Western allies'. Whenever incidents occur in western countries, the faithful Pakistanis are attacked. Christians, who are already living under constant fear for their lives, become even more vulnerable. It is the politicians’ duty – he concludes – to create a cultural environment and a society in which Christians and religious minorities feel safe". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/01/2015)
