Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Faisalabad (Fides Service) - More than 200 people, teachers, catechists, humanitarian workers, human rights activists and students took part in a recent seminar organised at Faisalabad by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan. The theme of the meeting was ‘protection of religious minorities, situation and plans for action’. The seminar also commemorated the late Bishop John Joseph who devoted his life to promoting respect for the rights and dignity of religious minorities.
It emerged that the question of protection for minorities is shared by various communities in Pakistan and must therefore be given maximum attention by the Muslim majority in view of guaranteeing a society which fosters harmony and not discrimination.
The Justice and Peace Commission reaffirmed its rejection of ‘blasphemy law’ which discriminates against non Muslim believers and is abused to attack innocent respectable persons. The Commission recalled that no one knows what will happen to at least 30 people, mostly Christians but also Muslims, arrested and detained for trial on charges of blasphemy. It recalled that the law in question is merely a source of social disharmony; it has given rise to conflict between different sectors of society, instigated religious intolerance and caused suffering for many families.
The participants called for measures to stop attacks on religious minorities, Christians especially; guarantee of freedom of worship and basic personal freedoms; protect members of every religious minority. They agreed that the only way to rid the country of intolerance is to sow seeds of peace and reconciliation beginning at grass roots level with a network of active organisations, movements and groups. (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2006 righe 25 parole 257)
