October 24, 2024
Staff Report
LAHORE
Speaking on behalf of the Christian community in the country, Reverend Dr Azad Marshall, President Bishop of the Synod (Church of Pakistan) expressed his dismay and concern at the discriminatory remarks made by Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik against their faith and sacred texts. Naik made these remarks during his visit to Pakistan as state guest, in his addresses and speeches.
In a letter dated October 21, In his letter Bishop Azad Marshall, said that Naik’s public addresses had ’caused significant distress among our (Christian) community, as he openly questioned the authenticity of our faith, discredited our sacred scriptures, and made statements that undermined the beliefs of Christian pastors and scholars’.
“Dr Zakir Naik’s comments were done in open forums where our Pastors and scholars were denied the opportunity to adequately respond or correct the misinformation spread by his ill-informed views,” Dr Marshall added.
The Christian leader said Naik’s remarks have caused not only religious offense but also undermined the national pride of all Pakistanis, irrespective of faith. “As citizens of Pakistan, we believe that our fundamental rights, as enshrined and protected by the Constitution of Pakistan, have been violated.”
Dr Marshall said the government was bound to protect the interests and faiths of the minorities living in the country under the Constitution. “Under Article 20 of the Constitution, every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion, and Article 36 obligates the state to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in federal and provincial services,” he wrote in his letter to President Zardari.
Referring to founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s historic address to the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in 1947, Bishop Marshall said the country’s Christian community still held onto the hope that the government would adhere to his vision of pluralism and tolerance.
The Christian leader noted that the absence of an official expression of regret from the government over Naik’s remarks had intensified the sense of marginalization felt by the Christian community, despite the government’s repeated assurances of upholding religious harmony and mutual respect for all faiths. Dr Marshall called on the government to take measures to stop events under state patronage that create communal disharmony.
“It is vital for the unity and peace of our nation that religious harmony and mutual respect among all communities are maintained and strengthened,” he added.
Concluding his letter, Dr Marshall urged President Zardari to take steps to safeguard the rights of all citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Dr Zakir Naik, originally from India, was on a month-long tour of at the invitation of the Pakistani government. He is based in Malaysia after India issued his arrest warrants in terrorism cases.