Blasphemy law in Pakistan: open petition
From the Archbishop Canterbury
Christians and Muslims around the world as well as people of other faiths and those who do not adhere to any religion will have been hearing with real concern, the news of the attacks on the Christian villages of Gojra and Qorian in Pakistan resulting in the deaths of at least seven innocent men, women and children.
This was the latest in such attacks over many years and has attracted international condemnation from religious and political leadership in Pakistan and internationally.
One of the causes of such attacks is the ability of extremists and others with private motivations, to incite attacks on Christians and on occasion also on Muslims; and the inability of the police and local judiciary to protect innocent people. The blasphemy laws currently in force in Pakistan provide such people with the means to incite violence and seem to have played a part in the recent incidents which led to the death of a number of Christians.
Following widespread discussions with Christian partners and correspondents in Pakistan, Christian and Muslim organisations in the United Kingdom and with the Pakistan authorities, there is a desire amongst many people to express their concerns to the Government of Pakistan and to press for change in the blasphemy legislation and for the protection of Christians and others who are suffering from its abuse. The petition is signed by the Rt Revd Michael Jackson, who chairs the Anglican Communion Network for Inter Faith Concerns and by Dr Musharraf Hussain the Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum. The Rt Revd David James, Bishop of Bradford is the first petition signatory.
The petition will be delivered to the Pakistan Government and is intended to assist in their efforts to prevent further attacks. The more people who sign, the more effective the petition will be and we urge you to take action now by:
- signing the petition yourself
- by putting this letter prominently on your own and as many other websites as possible.
It is by actions such as these that people of faith and of goodwill can show their active concern for the good of the world and in this case their support of the Christian community of Pakistan
Please do sign today – one click makes it possible!
Tags: Christian Persecution
August 27th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I ma just wondering when our Muslim come to Christians countries they get best of both world i mean economicaly and religiosly mean they have there freedom to practice there muslim faith in christins countries and prosper at the same time but if we look at christians peopls in muslims countries eventhough they are the national peopls of the respective country they dont get any chance to grow?.
My heart cry when i see my christians peopls suffere but i feel more heart when christian countries dont respones well. its the time to get unted and seek the Lord cos our Lord is liveing God .
Even death also cant contain him than what is world?
I request all my christians brother nad sister please wake up and prayers and same time do some action cos bible say Faith without action in dead. so if you are dead than this message is not for you ? But if you know you are alive and your God is alive than do some thing,
Prayes.
send letter to local government,
contact your news papers.
contact you pastors.,
contact your leader to do something,
May our Lord always bless you and family.