Daily Times

Sir: Those who attacked peaceful, unarmed Pakistani Christians offering prayers in a Church located in Quetta have violated the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Quran. Merely labeling a State as Islamic does not make it one. Islam offers justice and equality for all citizens with freedom to exercise their beliefs.

It is inconceivable for a Muslim who believes in Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) as the final messenger of the Allah to attack Christians or their Churches. Prophet Muhammad signed a treaty with the Christians of Najran, in the year 631 and this testament exists even today in monastery of Catherine and is testimony if any is needed of the importance for interfaith harmony.

The treaty signed by the Prophet PBUH states “in a pledge of protection on behalf of Allah and his Apostle, and so that this is for the Muslims who will come after him, a pact which will engage them, that they will have to admit, to recognize for authentic and to observe in their favor”.

It forbids any Muslim from betraying or violating this treaty and ensures protection for Christians and their places of worship. It further states “Because the religion that Allah imposed, and the pact with whom it is made makes protection obligatory. That which will not observe this pact, will violate its sacred duties, and that which violates its sacred duties does not have fidelity and will be disavowed by Allah and all the sincere Believers”

Islam is a religion of peace and there is no place in it for those who indulge in violence, abuse and humiliation of others. Those who resort to violence in the name of religion are guilty of distorting the message of our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad PBUH.

Vile video footage from the recent Faizabad Dharna show self assumed guardians of Islam mercilessly beat a uniformed policeman with batons and kicks, yet these criminals have been allowed to get away without any punishment. Such people do no service to Islam and serve only those who paint this religion of peace with negativity.

MALIK TARIQ ALI

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, December 18^th 2017.