The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and many non-governmental organisations call on the government in Islamabad to abandon the illusion that it can beat terrorism alone. They slam mass media for fuelling confrontation between the two nations.
Prime Minister Gilani announces reforms in favour of minorities’ development, identity and political representation. Catholic leader Peter Jacob hopes the government will keep its promises “because in past there were also many announcements but they were not implemented.”
An interreligious seminar at the Christian Study Center. Muslim lawyer Aslam Khaki: "We have to think twice before sending our kids to madrassas." Fr. Bonnie Mendes: "A total overhaul of school and college syllabi."
The sacrilege took place two days ago, in a small village of the diocese of Faisalabad. Many families of Muslims, who are in the majority, are supporting the Christians. The priest asks the faithful to remain "calm and peaceful," in imitation of Jesus.
Islamabad complies with UN resolution describing the group as a front for the terrorists who carried out the Mumbai attacks. For Pakistan’s Catholic Church both India and Pakistan are victims of terrorism and must work together and not succumb to jingoism.
A car bomb exploded yesterday night in a crowded bazaar, among people shopping before the upcoming feast of Eid. At least 27 dead and 100 injured. Investigations are underway. Archbishop Saldanha: "no religion permits terrorism."
The Church of Pakistan begins the season of Advent in the spirit of proclamation, after the first national missionary congress held in Karachi at the end of November. The young people are the protagonists of this new mission: "the life of Jesus must be brought to all corners of the country."
Solidarity and condolences of Christians for the victims, but also the firm intention to carry forward the dialogue and peace process between the two countries, unmasking those who do not want this.
In a country where 95% of the population is Muslim, since 1959 there has been a convent of contemplative Dominican nuns. Nine sisters live in the cloister, seven of them Pakistani. The nuns say: "Many Muslims count on our prayers, and also support our monastery."
Today, the husband has much more extensive rights in the family. The council for Islamic ideology proposes innovations to permit the woman to ask for a divorce, and to preserve her property. But extremist groups accuse it of "creating confusion."
After the conference organized by Saudi king Abdullah, the Christians of Pakistan are waiting for words to turn into action. The secretary of the justice and peace commission of the Catholic Church and the director of the ecumenical organization the Christian Study Centre are optimistic for the future. Great expectations of Zardari government and the package of constitutional reforms announced by the Pakistan Peoples Party.
In another case Pakistan’s blasphemy law is used in a personal vendetta. A Muslim employee sacked by his Christian employer turns against him with the result that the alleged offender spends five months in prison. However, during that time he received “courage and hope” from reading the Bible. Shahbaz Bhatti, minister of Minorities, is hopeful that this might lead to the release of more people unjustly accused of blasphemy.
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