We are shocked and extremely saddened at the recent reports of the attacks on churches in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.
Muslim leaders, Mosques, and Inspire FM Radio in Luton, unequivocally condemned the actions of the mob and those who instigated them.
The Luton Council of Faiths Chair Prof Zafar Khan said, ‘These attacks stand out as an offence against God and humankind.”
“Any attack on a place of worship is an attack on all. Hatred targeting any community because of its faith and belief is a scourge that mustn’t be and cannot be tolerated.”
In a letter to the UK High Commission of Pakistan, Prof Zafar Khan urged the Government of Pakistan to take strong and firm action against those responsible for these acts of violence and ensure the safety and well-being of not only Christians but all religious minorities in Pakistan.
In a statement, denouncing the heinous attacks on Churches in Pakistan, the Masjid-e- President Ali Syed Rahat Gilani said, “As Muslims, we firmly uphold the principle of equal rights for all, regardless of creed, faith, belief or religion.”
He too called upon the Pakistani Government to take action against those responsible for these appalling and un-Islamic deeds and said, “In this time of adversity, we stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers, sisters, and their families.”
In his Friday Sermon at Luton’s Jamia Islamia Ghousia Mosque, Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti MBE called it a deplorable incident that goes against the Islamic principles and teachings of peace, harmony, and coexistence among all religions. He said, “Islam teaches its followers to respect and honour religious and cultural diversity”.
He too urged the Pakistan government to take immediate action against the perpetrators and called for strict measures to prevent any form of religious intolerance and violence in the future.
He emphasised, “Our Christian brothers and sisters, just like any other religious community, have the right to live and practice their faith freely within the wider Pakistani community. Their rights and freedoms must be protected, ensuring that they can flourish alongside their fellow citizens.”
“We stand united with our Christian brothers and sisters, reaffirming our commitment to living in peace and harmony with one another and creating an inclusive society for all.”
The World Council of Churches and other international bodies have also condemned these attacks. Their statements can be read on the following links.
https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-condemns-attacks-against-churches-in-pakistan
“May we all work together to build a society based on tolerance, acceptance, and unity”, stated Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti MBE in his Friday Sermon at Luton’s Jamia Islamia Ghousia Mosque