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Participants of actions of violence against Christians in Pakistan undermine image of Islam: OIC Secretary General

Politics Materials 3 August 2009 11:36 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, August 3 / Trend U. Sadikhova /

The Secretary General of the OIC, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, called the violent attacks against Christian community as contrary to the principle of tolerance in Islam, as well as accused Muslim participants of detriment actions of Islam image that preaches protection of minority population belonging to other faiths, OIC press-release said.

Roughly eight Christians died as a result of clashes between Muslim and Christian communities in Pakistan city of Gojra, RIA Novosti said.

Clashes accompanied by burning Christian homes and buildings by Muslims, launched due to desecration of Holy Koran by three Christians. As a result of shooting, six people, including four women and a child were killed. Another two died in hospital.

Roughly 40 houses of Christians were destroyed during Saturday disorders.

Authorized representatives said that organizers of mass disorders are members of extremist group of Muslim community.

Ihsanoglu said that desecration of Holy Koran must be condemned and appropriate measures must be taken without using violence. OIC Secretary General expressed hope that Pakistani concerned authorities will take rapid actions to liquidate violence and restore order in conflict zone.

Pakistani interior minister Rehman Malik said that partially militarized subunits, hired by local authority to support order in distant regions, were directed to Gojra to control over situation in the city to assist local police that would fail to react immediately and prevent violence and aggravation of mass disorders, RIA Novosti said.

Subunits began to patrol streets of eastern part of Pakistani city of Alhor on Sunday.

Christians are insignificant minority of population consisting of 160 million of Pakistani Muslim-Sunni. The law envisaging death penalty for use of scornful expressions towards Islam, Koran and Muhammad prophet is in force in Pakistan.   

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