KARACHI: CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS CLOSE RAMADAN IN UNITY AND HARMONY
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From: "Father Richard Gant, S.T.D., J.U.L." <rgant@stx.rr.com>
To: "cinjub" <cinjub@cin.org>
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 06:44:48 -0600
Subject: Catholic News:? CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS CLOSE RAMADAN IN UNITY AND HARMONY
CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS CLOSE RAMADAN IN UNITY AND HARMONY: FUNDAMENTALISM MUST BE ISOLATED - GOVERNMENT OUTLAWS THREE EXTREMIST GROUPS
Islamabad (Fides Service) - Increase common initiatives, in a spirit of
tolerance and harmony; isolate fundamentalists: these decisions were taken
by Muslim and Christian leaders at a Dinner on 19 November in Lahore
organised by the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, of
the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Pakistan.
The religious leaders were joined by intellectuals, civil authorities and
media operators. The Dinner is an annual closing of Ramadan event aimed to
strengthen harmony and solidarity among members of the two religions.
On the occasion the participants received a copy of this year's Message for
Id al Fitr feast issued by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue in Rome which is a message of peace and solidarity towards Muslims
all over the world. The distinguished diners agreed on the urgency to
continue to promote and support with initiatives to create brotherhood and
harmony in order to offer the population examples of peaceful coexistence
between religions. "Pakistani Christians want to make it clear that they
feel they are fully Pakistani citizens" Father Inayat Bernard, spokesman of
the Commission, told Fides.
In the meantime the government of General Musharraf has outlawed three
Muslim groups accused of religious extremism, including them in the
anti-terrorism law he promulgated. "We must all strive to reject, condemn
and stop sectarian and religious extremism, because this threat can bring
serious damage to Pakistan's economic progress," General Musharraf said.
The banned groups banned are Jamiat-ul Furqan, accused of murdering
American journalist Daniel Pearl; Hezb-ul Tehrir, operative also in other
countries; Jamiat-ul Ansar, which masks another group already outlawed
which changed its name and is active in Kashmir. Musharraf said the measure
was taken to protect national interests.
In a recent interview with Fides, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, President
of the Bishops' Conference was substantially positive towards the present
government: "President Musharraf's position is difficult because he has to
deal with militant Islamic parties. The Church approves of his actions
because he is trying to isolate Muslim fundamentalism."
Pakistan has a population of 155 million: 77% Sunni Muslim, 20% Shiite
Muslim. Christians are 2.5%, and of these 1.2 million are Catholics. (PA)
(Fides Service 21/11/2003 lines 36 words 408)