LAHORE, Aug 20: Ruling Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain would soon meet President Pervez Musharraf to request him to take an initiative to avert ‘an imminent clash of civilizations’.
Just back from a 10-day visit to France, Germany and Italy, Chaudhry Shujaat told Dawn on Saturday that hate crime against Muslims in various countries was on the rise which could spark retaliation and lead to an ‘unpredictable’ situation.
He said there was an urgent need for dialogue among representatives of Muslims, Christians and Jews to maintain peace in the world and keep harmony among followers of the three biggest religions.
He said President Musharraf was the only leader who had the stature to initiate the inter-faith dialogue in the larger interest of humanity.
He said 65 per cent of the global economy was being controlled by Jews and adherence to ‘no-talks’ policy with them would not serve any purpose.
He said Pakistanis living in the countries he had visited had apprised him of the hate they were facing from other communities. These Pakistanis, he added, felt insecure and helpless.
Chaudhry Shujaat said he had planned to go to London to participate in an Independence Day function there and to meet British Muslims of Pakistani origin. But, he added, he was indirectly conveyed a message by the British authorities that he should not go there in the prevailing situation.
He said he had come to know that the situation was ‘very serious’ for the British Muslims of Pakistani origin. He said all political parties should get united in view of what he called the lurking dangers to the country.
When it was pointed out that because of the government attitude towards opposition parties a positive reaction would not be forthcoming, Chaudhry Shujaat said the government was willing to rise above petty interests to take other parties along.
