In Pakistan, a parliamentarian denigrates "the Gospel, the Torah and the Psalms": Christians demand his resignation
"You must stay within your boundary. You have no authority to speak about the holy books of other religions… We are disappointed with this statement. This house is for all religions in Pakistan. The constitution grants equal rights to the majority and to the minority.
On March 28, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, a Muslim parliamentarian, delivered what can be considered hate speech in the Pakistani National Assembly. His remarks provoked strong reactions on social networks. Christian groups demand his resignation.
The parliamentarians were discussing the awarding of 20% extra points to Hafiz-e-Quran, those who know the Quran by heart, in admission exams to Karachi Medical University.
Indeed, the Supreme Court is currently questioning this practice. “How are admissions to medical and other faculties related to being a hafiz-e-Quran?” asked Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Esa, “Should 20 extra points be given to those who have memorized the Christian scriptures? Why should 20 extra points be given on this basis?"
"The Gospel, the Torah and the Psalms are cancelled", replies the parliamentarian, "we believe in each of them and do not reject them, but the Koran is permanent and will remain so until the day of judgment".
Naveed Aamir Jeeva, Christian and member of the National Assembly, responded to this speech.
"You must stay within your boundary. You have no authority to speak about the holy books of other religions… We are disappointed with this statement. This house is for all religions in Pakistan. The constitution grants equal rights to the majority and to the minority.
For lawyer Javed Gill, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali's statement is a clear threat to peace and harmony in the country. He recalled that Articles 20 and 36 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantee the protection of minorities. The lawyer also deplores the response of the President of the National Assembly
"The National Assembly Speaker's response to the incident was so disappointing that it deliberately left MP Naveed Aamir Jeeva unnoticed."
MC
