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Blasphemy law in Pakistan: petition presented to Pakistan High Commission
Blasphemy law in Pakistan: petition presented to Pakistan High Commission
The online petition to change the blasphemy legislation in Pakistan, of
which NIFCON (the Anglican Communion Network for Inter Faith Concerns) was
one of the sponsors, was presented to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London
on Tuesday 8th September. The petition followed a recent statement by the
Archbishop of Canterbury, condemning attacks on Christians in Pakistan.
The Rt Revd Michael Jackson, Chair of NIFCON's Management Group, and Dr
Musharraf Hussain, Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum of England jointly
presented the petition to High Commissioner Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan. Minister
Mohammed Nafees Zakaria was also present.
The petition states "The attacks on Christians, and on occasions also
on Muslims, facilitated as they are by the law on blasphemy, are very damaging
to the reputation of Pakistan and indeed to the reputation of Muslims which
we wish to see restored."
It has currently been signed by over 2000 people, both Christian and Muslim,
from twenty countries around the world including Pakistan. More than twenty
Anglican bishops have added their names in support of the petition.
In handing over the petition Bishop Michael Jackson spoke of the importance
of Anglicans around the world showing solidarity with integrity with fellow-Christians
in Pakistan. Dr Musharraf Hssain invited the High Commissioner to participate
in a meeting of the Christian Muslim Forum.
Date: 18th September 09