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Pakistani says Islamic leaders should thank Christians for opposition to war
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2003-055-1
Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2003
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Pakistan's foreign minister, Mehmood Kasuri, told General Secretary Konrad Raiser of the World Council of Churches that he knew many US and European Christian churches opposed a war with Iraq--and that Islamic leaders should thank them for their stand on military violence against a Muslim country.
On his recent trip, Raiser also met with the president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, and Prime Minister Mir ZafarUllah Jamali who agreed with him that, despite media reports, the conflict around a possible war with Iraq could not be considered a 'clash of civilizations.' During meetings with church leaders and representatives of Pakistan's Christian community, Raiser heard them express fears of a possible backlash in case of war. They expressed fears that military strikes in Iraq could lead to renewed attacks against local Christians, hospitals, schools and other institutions. They also complained about a general trend towards intolerance and discrimination in the country.
Raiser raised these concerns with government leaders, telling Musharraf that, although he appreciates the present government's measures to restore a joint electoral system, he is concerned about blasphemy laws and the fact that those responsible for killing Christians and attacking churches have not yet been brought to trial.
Raiser also raised the possibility of establishing an independent minorities commission as an advisory body to look into grievances. The president expressed appreciation for the Christian community's contribution in all fields of national endeavor, especially health care and education.
The four-nation Asian trip by Raiser was meant to assure Christian communities living in minority situations that they have the support of the worldwide ecumenical family. In a meeting with the Christian Muslim Federation International he suggested that differences between the two religions should be resolved through dialogue that fosters closer relations and maintains international peace, trying to determine what constitutes a viable relationship between church and state--and the status of religion in society.
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