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WEEKLY
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| Gojra killings |
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Once again a frenzy mob has gone on the rampage and attacked Christians and their homes. In the process they ended killing seven innocent people. In recent months and years, similar incidents have taken place in Kasur, Rahim Yar Khan, Shanti Nagar, Bahawalpur, Murree, Taxila, Sangla Hill and Sukkur. A question does arise that for more than a hundred years we have lived peacefully but why are the minorities being targeted now?
Thank God at least this time some people have been arrested after the incident and it is hoped that these people will be brought to book. One also hopes that like in previous instances these people will not be quietly freed. From what has happened in Gojra it is clear that the local administration and the police failed miserably in carrying out their responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the Christians.
The ministers come and sympathise with the victims and promise to compensate financially and also repair damages. They assure that the culprits will be punished. Ministers have come and gone but neither have the culprits been caught, nor have the victims been fully compensated. It is high time that the culprits are caught -- and punished. Why do people, the minute they hear such reports, without ascertaining the truth themselves, take matters into their own hands and go after the minorities? This and other questions must be raised and discussed at length in parliament.
Also, all controversial laws promulgated by previous presidents especially dictators need to be repealed.
Fr Abid Habib
Lahore
*****
The incident that took place at Gojra is shocking for every patriotic Pakistani. My head hangs in shame. More alarming is the news, as reported in both print and electronic media, that local administration acted as silent spectators whilst this orgy of blood was taking place right in front of them. The incident has once again highlighted the need for tolerance and religious harmony which is badly needed in Pakistan. Such incidents also tarnish the image of our country. It is also very unfortunate that ulema, scholars, religious and political parties have failed individually and collectively to control the ever growing tide of religious intolerance and fanaticism which is destroying the very fabric of our society.
Aurangzeb Khan
Peshawar
*****
The Gojra incident proves that the level of religious tolerance and respect for minorities is dreadfully low in Pakistan. Pakistan was meant to be a secular country. This never transpired. As a Pakistani, I cannot say that my country treats its minorities as equal human beings. Around 96.28 per cent of Pakistan's population is Muslim. Does that give us the right to treat the estimated 1.58 per cent of Christians of our country like animals and burn them alive?
As a Pakistani and a Muslim, I condemn the Gojra attack most strongly and see it as an act of cowardice. Action must be taken against the culprits immediately.
Imaan Hazir
Islamabad
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The Christians are playing their roles in all fields of life with the equal fervour of patriotism that the Muslim countrymen have. They have never felt beyond a Pakistani and they are honestly performing their duties in different fields of life. No one can deny their services in the field of education. They have also fought the wars for Pakistan and never stepped back from defending their country. In order to bring them into mainstream it is extremely important to respect their rights and this is also what they ask for.
Lubna Thomas
Rawalpindi
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