To: Neeka who wrote (197339 ) 10/29/2001 3:18:43 PM From: DOUG H Read Replies (1) | Respond to I spoke with a Pakistani Christian today. He still has family there and speaks with them frequently. Pakistan has 10 million Christians.pak.gov.pk Muslim League leader Muhammad Ejazul Haq said the incident of terrorism was very deplorable. He appealed to the Christians to show patience at this difficult time. He said as Muslims and Pakistanis we have great respect and regard for the minorities and especially for Christians in the country. “We consider their places of worship as our own,” Ejaz said. He said whenever Pakistan is passing through a difficult time, terrorism is carried out by the country’s external and internal enemies. These elements want to create anarchy and chaos in the country, Ejaz added. Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik said the terrorism incident at the church of Bahawalpur was very condemnable. He said the attack was not only on Christians but on the whole Pakistani nation. No civilized person and patriotic Pakistani can carry out this act. It is a conspiracy to create divisions between Christians and Muslims, he said adding this is work of the enemies of Pakistan. The Bishop said for Christians Pakistan’s integrity and solidary is the topmost priority. He appealed to the Christian community to foil the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan. Head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) Maulana Samiul Haq said enemies of Pakistan and Islam are involved in the attack which is very condemnable. “No Muslim can commit this kind of heinous act,” he said. Sami demanded arrest of the persons involved in the act and said all resources should be used to bring the criminals to justice. Head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Maulana Fazalur Rehman said Islam guarantees rights of minorities and Muslims here have a relationship with the Christians as Pakistanis. He said according to Islam the persons involved in the crime should be hunted down and brought to justice.
