American Muslim Organizations Condemn Brutal Killing of Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities

Islamic Society of North America Outraged by Brutal Killing of Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities

(Plainfield, IN March 2, 2011) The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is outraged by last night’s brutal killing of Pakistan’s Minster for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti. 

Bhatti was the only Christian member of Pakistan’s federal cabinet and openly spoke out against the countries’ misuse of the controversial blasphemy law.  Two months ago, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, speaking as a member of the Muslim majority in Pakistan, was also murdered for his criticisms towards abuses of these laws.

ISNA National Director of Interfaith and Community Alliances Dr. Sayyid Syeed met with Bhatti a few months ago to convey ISNA’s deepest condolences for the burning of churches and murders of Christians in Pakistan over the past few months.  He made it clear that ISNA believes strongly in the responsibility of Muslims to ensure the safety of religious minorities in Muslim majority countries.

In an interview with VOA earlier this month, Bhatti stated, “It is [the] time that the people of different faiths and the Pakistani nation stand united against the forces of intolerance, against the forces of violence.”

“The Quran teaches Muslims to grant people freedom of religion and no law should be used to oppress that right. ‘Good and evil cannot be equal; repel evil with something which is better and verily he between whom and thyself was enmity may then become as though he had always been a close, true friend, (Quran 41:34).’  Surely murder can not be that which is better; if people disagree with another person’s view on a law, they must use peaceful means to respond and never resort to violence,” said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid.

“We ask that the government takes every measure necessary to secure the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, as well as their safety and those of their places of worship.  We also ask Islamic scholars to stand up for the rights of those minorities in their midst as the Quran teaches.  To do nothing will only play into the hands of the extremists everywhere in the world,” he added.

ISNA calls on the great people of Pakistan and their government to stand for the rights of religious minorities.  We know that many of them do not agree with these acts of violence and it is now time for them to speak out against them.

MPAC CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF CHRISTIAN MINISTER IN PAKISTAN & WILL ADDRESS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN GENEVA

(Washington, DC – 3/3/11) – The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns the assassination of Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, the country’s only Christian cabinet minister. Religious and ethnic strife in Pakistan is at dangerous levels and must be addressed by religious, civic and government authorities.

SEE: “Critic of Pakistan Blasphemy Law Shot and Killed” (CNN) http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/02/critic-of-pakistan-blasphemy-law-shot-and-killed/?iref=allsearch

“We pray for the Bhatti and his family and encourage leaders in Pakistan to work towards addressing the root causes that has led to unprecedented amounts of political and religious violence” said Salam Al- Marayati, MPAC President.

This is the second high profile assassination within two months in Pakistan, both of individuals who publicly criticized the country’s blasphemy laws. In January, Gov. Salman Taseer of Pakistan’s Punjab province was assassinated after publicly challenging the merits of the law that purports to protect Islam from slander but is seen by many as a means to persecute minorities.

SEE: “Governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Assassinated” (CNN) http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/04/pakistan.governor.killed/index.html?iref=allsearch

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law was brought to the forefront in November 2010 when a Christian woman from the Punjab province was sentenced to death for defiling Prophet Mohammed’s name during an argument with a co-worker.

The Blasphemy Law was introduced in the 1970s and amended in 1986 to include the death penalty for those accused of speaking against the Prophet.

Next week, Al-Marayati is going to Geneva to meet with UN Ambassadors and international human rights organizations to address the issue of religious freedom and free speech.

Freedom of expression and faith are Islamic principles that are respected in Islamic texts and theology. It is of utmost importance that these ideals are respected and developed within Muslim communities worldwide.