Young Pakistani Christians and Muslims to act as "ambassadors of peace and tolerance"
Lahore (AsiaNews) - The fight against terrorism cannot overlook the victims who gave their lives for Pakistan and all those - the disabled, widows, orphans, broken families - who suffered terrible damage and loss at the hands of violent fundamentalists, said the "young ambassadors" who took part yesterday in a young people's rally for peace at St Anthony College in Lahore (Punjab) under the auspices of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan.
"The pain of the victims must be at the core of every discussion" about peace, shouted aloud those present. Indeed, their suffering must be appropriately represented "at trials".
This comes as the country remembered two people, a young student and a leading expert in anti-terrorism, who died in separate attacks perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalism.
In their address to the gathering, NCJP director Fr Emmanuel Yousaf Mani; Irfan Mufti, deputy director of South Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-PK); and NCJP executive secretary Peter Jacob urged young people to take on the "responsibility" for the existing reality and become active agents of peace.
Irfan Mufti stressed the need for "unity" and an end to discrimination based on "caste, colour or creed," which are essential to a lasting peace.
Peter Jacob (pictured) added that the role of the younger generation is "crucial" in promoting peace. "Pakistan cannot afford ideological or strategic mistakes whilst people try to build peace," he explained. At the same time, the principle of "justice" must be taught to promote institutional and structural reforms.
For his part, Fr Mani stressed the need to work "in harmony" for a "better Pakistan."
At least 800 young people took part in the event, coming from various parts of Punjab (Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Khanewal, Lahore, Multan, Nankana Sahib, Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sahiwal and Okara). They included Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Placards, slogans and symbols of peace were noticeable throughout the day.
Participants brought the event to an end by signing a joint pledge to become ambassadors of peace and promote tolerance when they go back home.
Pakistan has more than 180 million people (97 per cent Muslim), making it the sixth most populous country in the world and the second largest Muslim nation after Indonesia.
About 80 per cent is Sunni Muslim. Shias are almost 20 per cent; Hindus are around 1.85 per cent; Christians are 1.6 per cent and Sikhs, 0.04 per cent.
Violence, abuse or acts of discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities occur across the country, with Christians especially targeted by Islamic fundamentalists.
Scores of violent incidents have been recorded, including targeted attacks against whole communities - in Gojra in 2009 and Lahore's Joseph Colony in March 2013 - or individuals, often perpetrated under the pretext of the country's blasphemy laws.
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