News
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pak, US leaders urge tolerance at Bhatti memorial service
* Pak ambassador to US says extremists know they cannot prevail with arguments
* Leaders pay tribute to Bhatti
WASHINGTON: The Pakistani embassy in Washington held a memorial service to pay tribute to the assassinated Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti as Pakistani and American leaders advocated the need for continuing his legacy and efforts towards inter-faith harmony, tolerance and respect for pluralism.
Islamabad’s ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, told the gathering of State Department leaders, Pakistani-Americans and representatives of leading faiths that Islam and Pakistan’s founders teach respect for other religions.
He said the majority of Pakistanis respect the law and other religions, but added they should break their silence when extremists kill moderate people and deface Islam, which is a peaceful, loving and tolerant religion.
The Pakistanis, he said, are aware of the challenge they face and despite extremists’ attempts to eliminate those who confront their ideology shows they cannot impose their ideology on others. The extremists know that they cannot prevail with arguments and that is why they try to stifle the voices opposing them, the ambassador noted. Shahbaz Bhatti and former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer paid for their courage with their lives, Haqqani said and added that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by those who feared moderation, tolerance and pluralism.
“It’s time we revived Islam’s traditions of inclusivensness – time for all Pakistanis to stand up against extremism and narrow interpretations – for a pluralist Pakistan that is in harmony with the rest of the world,” Haqqani said.
Those who attended the memorial service included the Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, Assistant Secretary of State Michael H Posner, Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan Feldman, former assistant secretary of state Karl Inderfurth, MNA Farahnaz Ispahani, Ambassador Rafat Mahmood, former senator Khawaja Akbar, Pakistani Christian leaders Earnest Gulab, Anjum Bhatti, Manny Alam and Stewart John.
Reverend Joseph Sobierajski led prayers for the slain Pakistani minister while Pakistani Christian leader Dominique Issac paid tribute to the memory and life of Shahbaz Bhatti.
In her remarks, Maria Otero said the United States joins the Pakistani nation in mourning the loss of “courageous” Shahbaz Bhatti, who worked to uphold religious freedom. She conveyed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s profound grief over the loss. She praised Bhatti’s extraordinary dedication as he persisted with his efforts in the face of dangers.
MNA Farahnaz Ispahani said Shahbaz Bhatti was a symbol for minorities’ protection, a fighter and a leader. He consistently spoke out for the principles of tolerance and religious equality that has been an integral part of the platforms of the Pakistan People’s Party.
She also recalled some of the accomplishments of Shahbaz Bhatti like his proposal to the Ministry of Education for the introduction of comparative religion courses as a curriculum subject, a five percent quota for all government jobs to minorities, four reserved Senate seats for minorities and many other ideas for the welfare of minorities. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk