A Petition on the Blasphemy law in Pakistan has been signed by The Revd David Gamble, President of the Methodist Church. In doing so he has written:'The Methodist Church in Britain is committed to giving due respect to all religions and especially to minority groups. We pray for our sisters and brothers in Pakistan and call for the rights of all to be respected'.
The Petition, the text of which is below, is now available to be signed electronically by clicking on the following hyperlink and following the instructions: http://pakistansignnow.petitionhost.com/
The Petition states:
'Christians and Muslims around the world as well as people of other faiths and those who do not adhere to any religion will have been hearing with real concern, the news of the attacks on the Christian villages of Gojra and Qorian in Pakistan resulting in the deaths of at least seven innocent men, women and children. This was the latest in such attacks over many years and has attracted international condemnation from religious and political leadership in Pakistan and internationally.
One of the causes of such attacks is the ability of extremists and others with private motivations, to incite attacks on Christians and on occasion also on Muslims; and the inability of the police and local judiciary to protect innocent people. The blasphemy laws currently in force in Pakistan provide such people with the means to incite violence and seem to have played a part in the recent incidents which led to the death of a number of Christians.
Following widespread discussions with Christian partners and correspondents in Pakistan, Christian and Muslim organisations in the United Kingdom and with the Pakistan authorities, there is a desire amongst many people to express their concerns to the Government of Pakistan and to press for change in the blasphemy legislation and for the protection of Christians and others who are suffering from its abuse.'
About this diary
I am Joy Barrow, Inter Faith Relations Officer for the Methodist Church in Britain.