Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mumbai (Agenzia Fides) - The people’s response to violence and terrorism is ‘no’. After the recent attack in front of a mosque in Malegaon, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, “people in Maharashtra have mobilised against anyone who wants to start inter-community, inter-religious conflict. They have launched a major campaign to promote social harmony a local Catholic source told Fides. “Civil leaders have called for calm trying to stop the tension caused by the attack on the mosque. As investigation continues - the source said - it is clear that there are factions which want to trigger conflict and violence. But this is a trap to be avoid and people seem to realise this. Religious leaders are of the same opinion and say these episodes must not be labelled religious. Many people display a lighted candle in the window of their homes as a sign of rejection of terrorism, fundamentalism and violence and a desire for harmony.
The bomb blast occurred on 8 September in front of a Nurani mosque in Malegaon, a town with a population of 700,000 situated 250 km north east of Mumbay, in Maharashtra state. Police say the bombs were two, one in the cemetery wall and the other in the square in front of the mosque complex. In the explosion 38 people were killed and at least 100 wounded. The attacks came on Friday when thousands of Muslims were praying on the occasion of the Shab-e-barat day for the commemoration of the dead. In a situation of concern that the attack might lead to conflict between Muslims and Hindu, the mobilisation of the people against violence augers well for the isolation and defeat terrorist groups. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/9/2006 righe 26 parole 269)
