ASIA/PAKISTAN - Campaign of signatures to stop religious violence

Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – Those collecting signatures and raising public awareness are, side by side, Christian activists, Hindus, Shiites and Sunni Muslims, members of other religious communities: the campaign "Stop to intolerance and religious violence", initiated by movements and groups gathered in the network "Citizens for Democracy", which is crossing the entire country. As reported to Fides, the activists in recent days have made stops in the city of Karachi, bringing to public attention the long standing problem of violence based on religion, which affects minorities in Pakistan, such as Christians and Hindus, but also Muslim minority communities, such as "Ahmadis" (considered heretics) and the Shiite community. In particular, in recent months, more voices were raised denouncing the attempt of "ethnic cleansing" towards the Shiites, victims of many terrorist attacks.
The widespread appeal of the civil society network, sent to Fides, asks the government to take urgent measures to stop "religious fanaticism and political use of religion, which undermine the foundations of civil and peaceful coexistence", recalling the forced conversions, the attacks against Christian churches and sectarian attacks against Shiite Muslims. "The space for the free practice of religion and for a civil public debate is reducing," notes the network of citizens, who continue to collect signatures. "It is time for the Pakistanis to come together and make the collective voice against this trend heard, before it is too late."
Fr. Bonnie Mendez, a priest and former Director for Asia of Caritas Internationalis, told Fides: "The society of Pakistan is struggling to find its direction. There are many radical Islamic groups which, although small, have an impact, they manipulate people, they also have influence in the political sphere. Our challenge as Christians is to believe in dialogue, to continue to dialogue and collaborate with moderate Muslims and all people of good will, to stop the violence. Today civil society is weaker than a few years ago because of the growing threats of fundamentalists and many choose to emigrate. Leaders like Shahbaz Bhatti, Salman Taseer and other Muslim intellectuals were killed. This is why civil society needs to reinvigorate itself. Hope comes from ordinary citizens, who do not want hate, intolerance and conflict." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/4/2012)