Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – Muslims in Pakistan will not soon forget John Paul II's contribution to humanity. Indeed, messages of condolences to the local Catholic community are pouring in from around this predominantly-Muslim country that the Pontiff visited in 1981.
President Pervez Musharraf praised the Pontiff for his role in promoting peace in the world, inter-religious harmony and understanding among peoples.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for his part said that the service John Paul II rendered to humanity "will be remembered for a long time to come".
From London, Altaf Hussain, leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan's third most important political party, expressed similar views. In his message of condolences to the Christian community he said that the Pope's contribution to humanity "will not be forgotten".
According to Mgr Joseph Coutts, Bishop of Faisalabad, this death "is a great loss for the Catholic Church and the world". "The Pontiff," he said, "was a man of principles, strict and honest on crucial issue for the Church like abortion and homosexuality".
In Faisalabad, the Bishop received a delegation of Muslim officials who came personally to deliver a message of condolences.
During the visit, Muhammad Abraheem, chairman of the Punjab Peace Committee and principal at the Jamia Rehmania, an Islamic seminary, said: "We are saddened by the Pope's death. He always worked for peace in the world; he was a great leader of humanity and will always be remembered".
Haji Sheikh Taj Mehmood, who chairs the city's Merchants' Association, noted that the Pope always spoke up for and worked on behalf of his fellow human beings. "His service to Christian-Muslim relations was great and won't be forgotten".
Naveed Walter, a Catholic and president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, said he will always remember the Pope as "the champion of peace and justice, the ambassador of love in the whole world."
Yesterday, Catholic associations and organisations observed a day of mourning and did not open.
Father Andrei Nasari, Vicar general for the Archdiocese of Lahore, announced that a solemn mass will be held in Lahore on April 8 to coincide with the Pope's funeral in Rome.
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