Posted on 05/16/2007 12:48:32 PM PDT by Jedi Master Pikachu
Christians in north-west Pakistan are demanding government protection following threats of bomb attacks if they do not become Muslims. An unsigned letter received 10 days ago said they had to convert by Thursday. Militants have been carrying out a sustained campaign to prevent "anti-Islamic" activities in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Last week they blew up a number of music and video shops in the towns of Charsadda and Tangi.
Living in fear The Christian community, a tiny minority, received an anonymous letter demanding they convert or face the consequences.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that while a few families have left, the rest live in fear. Police say they have stepped up security at churches but Christians complain that not enough has been done to protect them.
"We are in great danger and need protection," said Michael John, the head of Pakistan's Catholic Church and a minority Christian parliamentarian. The warning to Christians to leave Charsadda was delivered to his home. 'No response' The town has recently been hit by violence - it was this year the scene of a suicide bomb attack on Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, which killed more than 38 people. About 500 Christian families are living there - most migrated from India before the creation of Pakistan. "Only the few policemen who patrol there on the motorbike are watching the Christians, but no significant security is provided," said religious minorities spokesman Shabaz Bhati. "We are very much in fear that due to the lack of security these extremists will find a way to attack our people easily." Mr Bhati also asked government officials to publicly condemn the threats but says he has got no response.
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Figures. Posted either before or during a “wave” of posted threads....
It can’t be true! Islam is a Religion of Peace!!!!
Where is Dr. Rice? [sound of crickets]
Sadly these guys days are limited - Pakistan has already gone “native” - Musharraf won’t be able to hold up this time around.
bump.
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