Un-Islamic act: Ulema condemn attack on Lahore churches

Say Islam does not allow attacks on worship places of religious minorities.

LAHORE: Religious scholars drawn from different schools of thought on Sunday condemned the attacks on two churches in Lahore, calling the act ‘un-Islamic’.

Condemning the incident, muftis of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) said Islam does not permit attacks on the worship places of religious minorities.

A Muslim state is responsible for the protection of minorities. Those who attacked churches have tried to defame Islam, which is the religion of peace, they said in a statement.

The SIC ulema demanded action against the perpetrators of the attacks. They also demanded that Islamic scholars define the rights of minorities in Islam and educate their followers in this regard.

The SIC leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza said attacks on churches are like attack on Pakistan. “Terrorists are enemies of Pakistan and Islam.” He also expressed solidarity with ‘Christian brethren in this trial period’.

Majlis-e-Ahrar leader Ataul Muhaimin Bukhari expressed sorrow over the incident. He said enemies of the country are behind this act of terrorism.

Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) leader Tahir Ashrafi also termed the attacks as un-Islamic. “It seems like a conspiracy to ignite communal violence in the country. I appeal to all Pakistanis to stand united against this act of terrorism,” he said

Jamaat Ahle Hadith Pakistan also condemned the attacks and appealed to religious scholars to play their role against terrorism.

Milli Majlis Shari also condemned the attacks and said it is agenda of anti-Pakistan elements. It also demanded strict action against those who are using religion for terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2015.