The savage suicide bombing attack on an Anglican church in Pakistan is just the latest in a long series of violent attacks against Christian in Pakistan. This attack has struck the world headlines more than others because of its excessive brutality. The death toll is over eighty.
The attack took place in Peshawar, a city of 3.6 million in northern Pakistan.
“All Saints’ Church, Inside Kohati Gate, Peshawar, Pakistan became a target of terrorism today,” said a statement on the local Anglican diocese’s website. “As the Sunday service ended and the people came out of the church, two suicide bombers entered the church compound from the main gate and blew themselves up in the midst of the people.”
Yesterday Pope Francis condemned the terrorist attack describing it as an act of "hatred and war".
In unprepared remarks at the end of a one-day trip to the city of Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia, the Pope said:"Today, in Pakistan, because of a wrong choice, a decision of hatred, of war, there was an attack in which over 70 people died. This choice cannot stand. It serves nothing. Only the path of peace can build a better world."
In recent years, the Christians of Pakistan have become one of the most vulnerable religious communities in the world. Most of the time, the Pakistani extremists use two common accusations to persecute the Christians: defamatory remarks toward Mohammed, and burning pages of Quran. Both are considered to be acts of blasphemy which can lead to the persons arrest and even death. There is no provision in Pakistan's blasphemy law to punish a false accuser or a false witness. Since 1990, more than 65 Christians have been killed for "blasphemy;" more than 165 cases are waiting for verdicts.
Christians are beaten, robbed, forced to flee their houses and villages, arrested and killed.
The website www.christiansinpakistan.com notes that:
“the present constitution [of Pakistan], political system and government are undemocratic. No more Democracy. Theocracy is prevailing inPakistan. Under this system, the Christians of Pakistan have neither equal political, socio-economic status, nor the equal access to available opportunities in playing a leading role in the national set-up. The present political system believes the Christians are second class citizens and are practically at the lowest level. They are constantly reminded at every level that it is not their country.
Constitutionally, no Christian has the entitlement to become President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Senate, or the Speaker of National Assembly (Parliament) of Pakistan. Under the Constitutional bindings, the policies and practices have been adopted by government and judicial functionaries to ignore and neglect the Christians every time, everywhere at all levels. People at lower level have adopted this as a law that no higher position or rank is given to any Christian.” ( See more at: http://www.christiansinpakistan.com/christianity-in-pakistan/#sthash.qdgn6XVt.dpuf)
It is a pity that the world is silent in the face of these attacks.
Make your voice heard.
Protest with the Pakistan Consulate , Malta
Cassar Group of Companies, Triq is-Salib tal-Marsa, Marsa, MRS 1549
Phone Number: 21 244 500 Email: maltaconsul.lahore@gov.mt