Pakistan religious leaders declare attack on Christians 'un-Islamic'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan religious leaders declare attack on Christians 'un-Islamic', 24 September 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52610395d.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 24, 2013
Members of the Pakistani Christian community light oil lamps during a protest rally to condemn a deadly suicide attack on a Christian church in Peshawar on September 22, which killed more that 80 people.
Islamic leaders in Pakistan have issued a fatwa, or edict, that declares the killing of religious minorities to be "un-Islamic."
The fatwa issued on September 23 by the influential Sunni Ittehad Council followed a double suicide bombing against a Christian church in Peshawar that killed more than 80 people.
The religious decree says "there no concept in Islam" to kill religious minorities or attack their places of worship.
Islamic figures across Pakistan condemned the attack on the All Saints Church as a "heinous and inhumane act" and called for the perpetrators to be severe punishment for the perpetrators.
They urged the government to take effective measures to protect religious minorities.
Junood ul-Hifsa, a faction of Pakistan's umbrella Taliban movement, claimed responsibility for the church attack on September 22.
Fewer than 2 percent of Pakistan's 180 million people are Christians. They face discrimination, but attacks against them are rare.
With reporting by dawn.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
