ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian and Muslim leaders: solidarity with Christian families thrown out from their homes

Monday, 9 April 2018 religious minorities discrimination violence islam politics society human rights

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Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Full solidarity with Christian families in the district of Narowal, in Punjab, thrown out from their property and abused in their rights after the violent action of some influential Muslim personalities: this is what was expressed in a statement, sent to Agenzia Fides, by the National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, within the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Pakistan. The Commission, made up of Muslim and Christian religious leaders, went to Narowal, led by Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap (NCIDE Executive Secretary) and Muslim leader Muhammad Asim Makhdoom. There were numerous other Christian and Muslim representatives who "firmly condemned the brutal act and demanded justice", underlining "the need for immediate legal action". The Commission also assured victims of all possible cooperation and promised to provide legal assistance. The local Christian families expressed satisfaction and gratitude because "even some Muslim leaders condemned this injustice and asked the government to act immediately against the guilty".
More than 50 Christian families were forcibly thrown out from their homes on April 1st and now they are refugees, homeless.
They are all parishioners of the Presbyterian Christian church in the village of Sankhatra, in the district of Narowal, province of Punjab. The community was forced to leave the houses built on land that is apparently owned by the government after the violent action promoted by the owner of a clay brick oven, Muhammad Ismail, member of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). As soon as the Christians were attacked, they fled, and the kiln workers immediately began to protect the area and build a wall so that families could not return. According to the Christians, Muhammad Ismail is trying to claim ownership of the land using false documents. The families have written to the government and demand justice. Local Christian communities are offering displaced people emergency accommodation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 9/4/2018)