Christian colony attack in violation of Islam: Allama Tahir Ashrafi

Pakistan Ulema Council chief says Islam guarantees protection of life and property of non-Muslims.

LAHORE: The mob attack on a Christian colony in Lahore was in violation of Islamic laws that guarantee protection of minorities, Pakistan Ulema Council chief Allama Tahir Ashrafi said on Sunday.

More than 150 houses of Christians living in the Joseph Colony were torched by an angry mob on March 9 over alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker.

According to a report by Radio Pakistan, Ashrafi – while addressing a press conference in Lahore – said Islam guarantees protection of life and property of non-Muslims.

He said that it is time to express solidarity with the members of the Christian community and to let them know that they are not alone.

Ashrafi further said that the blasphemy law must not be misused to persecute any one in Pakistan.

Stressing that non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan have equal rights, he said that the recent attack on the Christian community gave a bad name to Pakistan at the international level.