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December 23, 2005
Pakistan: After Islamic Rampage, Christians and Muslims Make Tentative Peace
We reported on the attacks made by 1,500 Muslim rioters who attacked buildings belonging to the Christian community in Sangla Hill on November 12. The attack followed an alleged incident where a Christian man, Yousaf Maseh, was said to have burned Korans. This story is widely refuted, and so far no burned pages of Islam's holy book have been produced. Maseh remains in jail, as much for his own safety as for charges of blasphemy which can lead to a death sentence if convicted.
Three churches were burned, as well as a school, a youth hostel, and the home of a priest on November 12. Eyewitnesses claimed that mosque loudspeakers were used to incite crowds to attack the Christian community, and police did nothing to tackle the mob. 80 people were rounded up and arrested by the police, but the events of that day have created fears in the community and have invoked international condemnation.
Attention has been focused on Pakistan's blasphemy laws, with many Christians calling for these laws to be repealed. The Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church, Dr Rowan Williams, said after a recent visit to the country that Pakistan is attempting to be seen as moderate. Williams argued that it would be difficult to repeal the blasphemy laws without incurring the wrath of the powerful Islamic conservative elements in the country.
The ARchbishop noted that Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs and Minorities publicly apologised for the affair at Sangla Hill, promising a judicial enquiry. Compensation has been promised for destroyed property.
Today, Pakistan's Daily Times carries a story that a meeting was held on Thursday between representatives of Christian and Muslim faith communities at Sangla Hill, which is 80 miles northeast of Lahore.
Local Christians told Daily Times that they had to opt for a compromise because "the government's role in resolving the issue is not encouraging". They also referred to a Lahore High Court judicial inquiry into a similar incident in Shanti Nagar in 1997, when a Christian village was burnt "but no action was taken".During the meeting, a Muslim representative, Maulana Ibrahim Sialvi, called for the removal of Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which concerns blasphemy. (This may be a misprint, for the Daily Times states that Yousaf Maseh is being held under Section 295 B of the penal code). Other Muslims said the blasphemy legal issue should be left to parliament.The findings of a judicial inquiry have not been published so far. The accused are freely moving in the city and police have not taken any action against them.
As well as Chrisians, representatives of rights groups and charities were also present, including Asma Jehangir, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She condemned religious terrorism and called for the removal of laws which discriminate (i.e. blasphemy laws apply only to slurs against Islam, not Christianity or any other faith).
The archbishop of Lahore, the reverend Lawrence John Saldhana, went to Sangla Hill on Thursday, and reconsecrated the burned churches, which are now open for worship.
The meeting decided to aim for compromise, with those who are accused of fomenting the vandalism being made to apologise to the Christians.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 23, 2005 7:17 PM
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