As Pakistan’s main churches held special prayers in memory of Salman Taseer, the governor assassinated for his opposition to a law that punishes insult to Islam by death, Christians in Pakistan spoke about being in a precarious position in their own country.
“Religion in our country has always been a sensitive issue but after the brutal killing of Salman Taseer, we as a minority group feel that the less we talk, the better it is,” said Amna Ayaz, a teacher.
Ayaz spoke with ENInews at Lahore Cathedral where on Jan. 16, worshippers and members of civil society gathered in memory of Taseer and to counter rising extremism in Muslim-majority Pakistan. Taseer, who was killed on Jan. 4 by one of his security guards, was calling for a review of the blasphemy law after a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, was sentenced to death. Taseer had visited Bibi, who is still in prison.
Bishop John Alexander Malik said, “We condemn the assassination of governor Taseer who fought for the rights of minorities in Pakistan. It seems that raising voices against extremism is getting harder.” – –ENI
