“No matter how much blood religious extremists shed, we will not migrate from our homeland Pakistan. We are citizens of this country first and a religious minority later,” vowed Sardar Ramesh Singh, Chairman Sikh Naujawan Sabah, at a seminar on ‘Commonalities of Islam and Christianity’ organised by an NGO FAITH (Fight Against Intolerance, Terrorism and Hatred) on Sunday evening.
Members of different faiths came together to condemn the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Swat criticising the NWFP government for ignoring the rights of religious minorities in the region whose cases will now be tried under the Islamic law against their will. Sardar Singh, who was representing the Sikh community, condemned
The kidnapping of a Sikh member for ransom [worth Rs20 million] saying the incident and imposition of Jaziya (Islamic tax) by the Taliban has forced the Sikh community to flee to Lahore, Hasan Abdal, Nanakana District among other parts of Punjab.
The seminar, convened by Ex-Senator Allama Abbas Kumaili, stressed on the need to unite members of different faiths and condemn the forceful ‘Islamisation’ of Pakistan. “This country was not created for one religion and the Quaid made it clear that the religious minorities would be free to practice their religion. We then have no right to go against his teachings,” said Kumaili in his speech.
He was of the opinion that the Nizam-e-Adl regulation should be termed as Nizam-e-Jabr as rights of minorities in Swat were no longer safeguarded as under the state constitution. “It is ironic that the Nizam-e-Adl came soon after the country’s chief justice is restored. We should have been patient for him to bring about reforms in the justice system instead of using religion to bring reforms,” he said adding that he felt this is a conspiracy against Islam.
Speakers at the seminar, which included members from the Hindu, Christian, Bohri and Shia community, also condemned the recent attack on churches in Taiser Town saying members of all faiths should respect and protect the religious places of another.
They also hinted at a greater political conspiracy being hatched against the non-Muslims by an influential political party for ulterior motives. “But we will not react violently as we do not believe in revenge, and respect other faiths,” said Pastor Naseem Kalim. “In a country where even mosques and imambargahs are not secure, it is not a surprise that churches are also being attacked,” he added.
Mangla Sharma, President Pak-Hindu Welfare Association, pointed out that the true face of Pakistan was represented at the seminar where members of all faiths had assembled to promote the message of peace. She further questioned political parties and representatives of the minorities in the provincial and national assembly who did not stand up for women in Swat. Brig Mazhar Elvis Stephen, member of an NGO United Minority Organisation, Maulana Khwaja Amin Nizami also spoke.