ASIA/PAKISTAN - School programs in the name of religious tolerance in Sindh

Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - In the name of the affirmation of religious tolerance and respect for religious minorities, the Sindh government has included a well-known speech of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in school curriculum. This was announced in recent days by the Provincial Minister for Education, Nisar Khuhro.
The speech took place on 11 August 1947 (Pakistan was divided by India), and Jinnah speaks explicitly of "equal rights and freedom for all religious minorities": " You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed, no discrimination, no distinction. We are all citizens with equal rights". "Pakistan is not a theocratic State" emphasized minister Khuhro, explaining that "the school curriculum will include values such as tolerance, peace and love".
The initiative was much appreciated by "Awaz-e-Haq Ittehad" ("Coalition for the voice of Rights"), platform that unites 12 organizations working in the field of human rights. In a statement sent to Fides, Peter Jacob, coordinator of the coalition, said: "It is step that goes in the direction of reducing prejudice and discrimination based on race, caste or creed in society. We hope that the governments of the other provinces of Pakistan to do the same". Jacob also highlights that "the education system is crucial in building a peaceful and harmonious nation". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/04/2015)