This group of Pakistani Christians living in Italy have submitted a written request to their ambassador.
In it, they ask for more protection for their communities in Fasilabad, where on August 16, a mob of Islamic extremists burned down 21 churches and almost 100 Christian homes. Both the Pakistani Embassy and the country's president condemned the events.
JAVED ALI
Embassy of Pakistan to Italy
The events in Pakistan, which are very, very condemnable, and we are treating these events as a conspiracy against the people of Pakistan to incite violence inside our country.
To attack one holy place by a crowd of, you know, people that were not even from that area because we have seen how the local people from that area where this attack was launched and it was a planned attack to create a bad image for Pakistan and also to create a sort of disunity among its population.
Pakistani Christians are calling for more concrete measures. For example, that their properties be rebuilt and that the discrimination and persecution they suffer be stopped. This recent episode of burning churches was not an isolated event.
FR. GILBERT SHAHZAD
Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy
The first thing to do is understand who is responsible and, justly, they must be punished for justice, for peace. It is necessary for justice to be done.
And above all we ask that the books that are being used in the schools and mosques should never be used to promote hate.
Some of the Christians in the meeting were very affected by the situation. They said they felt extremely sad and hurt by the persecution they have been suffering for years. They ask that rights be the same for all, regardless of their religion.
TARIQ PERVIVE
Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy
Diplomatic words are not enough for us. It's not enough. It doesn't solve the problem because in Pakistan it's a big problem of family upbringing. That's where this hatred comes from—inside the families.
The problem is this: that we are the minority in Pakistan. I carry a Pakistani passport. First, I am Pakistani. Second, I am a Christian. So, we have the same rights as them. Not that we have few rights and they have many, no. I have the same rights as the ambassador. I told him this.
But their request is not only for action to be taken in Pakistan. They want the international community to be aware of the living conditions that Christians are suffering everywhere, and to do something to help them.
FAROOQ REHMAT
Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy
My request is that the Italian government and the international community will do something for Christians, but not with money. All these human rights issues happen every day with Christians living in Pakistan because they live under the threat of Muslim extremists and there is so much discrimination in Pakistan.
This meeting took place at the Embassy of Pakistan in Rome. Those present were grateful to have had the opportunity to be heard by the ambassador. Their hope now is that the Pakistani government will get involved. But, they point out that, unfortunately, the problem they are facing is not likely to be solved in the near future.
CA
TR: KG
