wfn.org | Blasphemy law in Pakistan: petition presented to Pakistan High Commission

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Blasphemy law in Pakistan: petition presented to Pakistan High Commission

Posted On : September 17, 2009 2:26 PM | Posted By : Webmaster
ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/9/17/ACNS4652
Related Categories: ACO - NIFCON

The online petition to change the blasphemy legislation in Pakistan, of
which NIFCON (the Anglican Communion Network for Inter Faith Concerns)
was one of the sponsors, was presented to the Pakistan High Commissioner
in London on Tuesday 8 September. The petition followed a recent
statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, condemning attacks on
Christians in Pakistan.

The Rt Revd Michael Jackson, Chair of NIFCON's Management Group, and Dr
Musharraf Hussain, Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum of England
jointly presented the petition to High Commissioner Mr Wajid Shamsul
Hasan. Minister Mohammed Nafees Zakaria was also present.

The petition states "The attacks on Christians, and on occasions also on
Muslims, facilitated as they are by the law on blasphemy, are very
damaging to the reputation of Pakistan and indeed to the reputation of
Muslims which we wish to see restored."

It has currently been signed by over 2000 people, both Christian and
Muslim, from twenty countries around the world including Pakistan.  More
than twenty Anglican bishops have added their names in support of the
petition.

In handing over the petition Bishop Michael Jackson spoke of the
importance of Anglicans around the world showing solidarity with
integrity with fellow-Christians in Pakistan. Dr Musharraf Hssain
invited the High Commissioner to participate in a meeting of the
Christian Muslim Forum.

> The petition is still available to sign here:
> http://pakistansignnow.petitionhost.com/