THIS is apropos of the news report on the paper read by Gul Hasan Kalmatti at the Arts Council Karachi (Nov 3). According to his paper, the Jewish community was once an integral part of Karachi and played an important role in its development.

The first synagogue was built in 1893 near Ranchhor Line by Solomon David, who was a native of Karachi. Another noted Jew, an architect from Karachi, was Moses Somake, who designed the Flagstaff House, Jaffer Faddoo Dispensary and Edward House.

When a delegation led by Raja Sahib Mehmoodabad came to Karachi in 1911, the Jewish community welcomed him and his delegation by showering them with rose petals.

It is so sad that we destroyed our heritage and history by burning down the only synagogue of Karachi in 1988 and the Jewish community fled during the Arab-Israeli war.

We must stop discriminating other religions and cultures.

DR KHURRUM FIAZUDDIN
Karachi