PESHAWAR: Members of different organisations of the Christian community, led by Bishop of Peshawar Humphrey Sarfraz Peter, held a rally against the publication of blasphemous sketches in a French magazine and called for legislation on international level to ensure that no one could hurt religious sentiments of others.

Flanked by pastors of different churches, including pastor Shehzad, Altaf, Razaq, Yousuf, William, the bishop termed the act a misuse of the freedom of expression and independence of media and demanded strict action against those found guilty in this regard.

Hundreds of Christian community members took out a procession from a local church at Peshawar cantonment and held a rally outside Peshawar Press Club. The community expressed its anger by shouting slogans and holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for banning publication of such profane material in future.

The rally was jointly organised by Diocese of Pakistan, Church of Peshawar, Christian community from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas where members of the minorities’ wings of different parties, including Dr Jhon G, Kamran Inayat, Pervez Michael, Hashim Pervez Shehzad of Pakistan Masihi League and Sajid Yaqub Sahotara of United Christian Movement, were also present.

Later, the community representatives at a joint press conference slammed the latest publication of caricatures in France as extremely provoking to the feelings of Muslims around the world. They added that such acts harmed the relations among followers of the three monotheistic religions by fueling feelings of anger, hatred and resentment.

Members of the community demanded of the French government to take stern action against Charlie Hebdo magazine and teach a lesson to its management on how to respect the humankind and Muslims’ sentiment. They denounced the growing wave of hostility against the Muslims across the Western countries.

Hold rallies in Peshawar, Kohat to decry French magazine

They urged the French government to amend its laws regarding freedom of speech and expression to ensure respect for human values and sentiments.

They said that the French government was only protecting its own freedom of expression and independence.

“We give full respect to all religions and humanity, and want to promote brotherhood, tranquility, consensus and peace in the country,” they said.

In Kohat, the minority community took out a rally here on Sunday to express solidarity with Muslims and protest against the publication of profane cartoons in a French magazine.

They took out a rally from the Catholic Church and gathered at Shah Faisal Gate. They protesters also burnt the flag of France. The JUI-F, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and other religious parties also organised processions in Kohat and Hangu against the publication of sacrilegious sketches in a French magazine. The speakers demanded of the government to break diplomatic relations with France.

In Hangu, a protest rally was taken out from Meerobak Banda which after passing through the main bazaar turned into a public gathering by the students of various government high schools.

The speakers demanded of the OIC to end diplomatic relations with France, which had encouraged publication of profane sketches.

In Timergara, protest demonstrations against printing of sacrilegious sketches by a French magazine continued in parts of Lower Dir district on Sunday. The members of Jamiat Tulba-i-Islam took out a protest rally, which was led by its activist Mohsin Mehmood.

Addressing the protesters in front of Timergara Press Club, the speakers demanded of the Muslim rulers to raise voice against the French magazine. They said that no one had the right to defame others’ religious leaders. They also criticised the Muslim rulers and the United Nations for their silence on the matter.

Published in Dawn January 19th , 2015

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