Former bishop asks country to treat religious minorities equally

'All humans are born equal and have the right to be treated so without any religious or professional discrimination'

ABBOTTABAD: "To achieve the objective of interfaith harmony, the majority has to acknowledge equal rights of minorities," said Church of Pakistan’s former bishop Munawar Ramal Shah.

Talking to the media at Jilal Baba Auditorium on Sunday, Shah maintained the "untouchables" of  the Hindu caste system of the subcontinent embraced Christianity centuries ago but have still not been acknowledged as equal citizens and human beings.

“Having a broom in hand does not degrade a person as a human being. It is the mindset we need to change,” said the former bishop. All humans are born equal and have the right to be treated that way without any religious or professional discrimination, maintained Shah.

Supporting his statement, Shah said the United Kingdom had only one mosque till 1930. “Muslims used to learn Quranic teachings in the churches of London which motivated Christian children, who started leaning the Bible by heart,” he said, adding it set a commendable example for interfaith harmony.

He added Europe gives rights to people from every caste and creed but in Pakistan, the situation is the opposite. “Extremism has disfigured the face of humanity which can only be repaired by inculcating the spirit of tolerance and respect for each and every person without religious prejudices.”