ASIA/PAKISTAN - Talibans in Asia united against Malala, but "Pakistan is with her"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - While the school in Mingora, where Malala Yousafzai studied, the girl victim of aTaliban attack who is struggling between life and death, has been forced to a temporary closure "because of the threats received and too much media attention, "all the Taliban movements in South and Central Asia issued a public statement to reaffirm" the legitimacy of Malala’s death. "
As reported by Fides sources in Pakistan, the group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Harkat-e-Islami Uzbekistan (HIU) and Al-Sahab, A-Qaeda’s branch, have engaged in a joint effort to justify the aggression towards Malala and reduce the impact of reactions, domestic and international, against the criminal act. The extremists’ statement points out that "who denigrates the attack on Malala, ignores abuses and killings by governments of the United States and Pakistan." "Malala deserved to die because she had spoken out against the mujahideen," note the Taliban groups, describing Malala as a "western spy." They do not motivate, however, the attack as a reaction to the girl’s efforts for girls' education.
Fr. James Channan, Dominican, head of the "Peace Center" in Lahore, engaged in interreligious dialogue, told Fides: "Despite the extremists’ statements, the whole of Pakistan is with Malala. I think her story has shaken the conscience and created new awareness. Today in civil society, in politics, in the media, the public, everyone says they reject the Talibanization of Pakistan. An anti-Taliban sentiment has grown. "
Fr. James notes: "In the country, everywhere, demonstrations and meetings in favor of Malala are being held. Every day, students, lawyers, women's groups take to the streets, while there are many interfaith gatherings. Everyone supports a Pakistan where education, gender equality, women's rights, life and dignity of every citizen is guaranteed." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2012)