Pakistan: 'Eye-for-an-Eye' Repercussions on Christians from Sweden Burning the Quran
by Nasir Saeed • August 8, 2023 at 5:00 am
Pakistani Christians find themselves crying silently for peace, understanding, and respect for their religious symbols -- but their cries seem to be falling on deaf ears, both domestically and globally.
This hostility took a horrifying turn when extremist groups threatened to attack churches and Christians, declaring that no Christians would stay safe in Pakistan. These groups even asked other jihadist groups to direct their attacks towards Christians and their places of worship, despite local Christians having no involvement in the incident, and even when they vociferously condemned the Quran's desecration and cannot be held responsible in any way.
The authorities seem unable to effectively guarantee the protection of religious minorities or their sacred symbols. This silence -- real or perceived -- often gets interpreted as tacit acceptance, potentially fuelling further acts of hostility.
This hostility took a horrifying turn when extremist groups threatened to attack churches and Christians, declaring that no Christians would stay safe in Pakistan. These groups even asked other jihadist groups to direct their attacks towards Christians and their places of worship, despite local Christians having no involvement in the incident, and even when they vociferously condemn the desecration of the Quran and cannot be held responsible in any way.
Indeed, it appears that being Christian instead of Muslim may be the real unforgivable offense in the present time.
What is worse is the lacklustre response from the Pakistani government towards these threats against its Christian minority.
The prime minister himself, instead of de-escalating the situation and calming the anger among Muslims, called for a nationwide protest and the observance of "Yume Taqdees" (Sanctity of the Quran).
The prime minister even failed to issue a statement in support of Christians who were helpfully condemning the desecration of the Holy Quran.
Christianity has been an integral part of Pakistan's multi-religious society since its inception The Christian leadership supported Muhammad Ali Jinnah's founding of Pakistan in 1947; he promised equal citizenship rights. Nevertheless, they often find themselves treated as second-class citizens, the target of discrimination, hostility, and violence.... there are dozens of such examples.
Often, discriminatory laws, such as the contentious blasphemy law, have been misused against Christians, further worsening their situation. This law, which mandates harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for offences against religion -- or sometimes even just flimsy, baseless or non-existent accusations of offences -- have frequently been weaponized to target Christians and other religious minorities.
A comprehensive strategy that includes improved security measures for religious minorities and educational campaigns to foster tolerance and mutual respect is needed urgently.
The government of Pakistan needs to uphold its commitment to religious freedom and safeguard all its citizens, as enshrined in its constitution and in line with international covenants....
At this juncture, now is the time for the Pakistani government to reassess its approach toward religious minorities. The first step should be an immediate and unequivocal condemnation of violence and threats against religious minorities, including Christians. This condemnation should not just be a symbolic gesture but should be accompanied by stern legal action against the instigators of such violence. A fundamental component of any democratic country is guaranteeing the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their religious views.
At the same time, it is necessary for the government to take deliberate steps to promote peace and religious harmony. This can be achieved through the incorporation of religious tolerance and coexistence in the curricula for school and public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, interfaith dialogues can serve as powerful platforms for fostering mutual respect and understanding between various religious groups in Pakistan.
The protection of religious minorities and the promotion of social and religious harmony should not be regarded as optional but as fundamental to the social stability and democratic ethos of Pakistan.
The reverberations of an incident which happened thousands of miles away in Sweden should not disrupt their lives.... The path to lasting peace lies in acknowledging every cry, no matter how silent it may seem.
In the interconnected, digital world of the 21st-century, an event thousands of miles away can send shockwaves felt in other parts of the world. The recent burning of a Quran in Sweden has had reverberations as far away as Pakistan and a special impact on the already defenceless Christian minority there.
This is not the first time Pakistani Christians have experienced societal prejudice, institutional discrimination, and sporadic violence. These issues are frequently exacerbated whenever similar events take place anywhere in the West. The fallout from the Quran's desecration in Sweden, however, has intensified these conflicts, resulting in an alarming rise in threats and the defilement of Christian symbols, particularly the Cross, symbolising Christianity.