Day: October 1, 2009

Pakistan: End Blasphemy law Conference by PCC on October 24, noticed in Pope-Zardari meeting

Pakistan: End Blasphemy law Conference by PCC on October 24, noticed in Pope-Zardari meeting

Pakistan Christian Post reports:

Echoing this statement is news from Islamabad that the Pakistan Christian organizations have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law wrote AsiaNews referring Zar
The ‘need’ to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religion emerged from meetings today between the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo and Secretary of State cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Dominique Mamberti reports AsiaNews

A statement released by the Vatican Press Office states that ” The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to examine the current situation in Pakistan, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and the commitment to create a society more tolerant and harmonious in all its aspects. Talk then turned to the positive role played by the Catholic Church – continues the statement – in the social life of the country through her educational, healthcare and aid activities. Evoking recent episodes of violence against Christian communities in some localities, and the elements that have favoured such serious incidents, emphasis was given to the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for the rights of all citizens”.

Pakistan Christian Congress PCC announced to hold All Christian Parties Conference on October 24, 2009, to decide strategy to launch movement to press upon government to repeal blasphemy law.

AsiaNews further reports “The same argument was also addressed by Zardari in his talks with Italian politicians, in which the Pakistani president said the government of his country will take steps against the abuse of the blasphemy law. Moreover, on 18 September, during a state visit to London, Zardari had promised greater government vigilance, but human rights organizations in Pakistan say the president’s words remain an unrealistic goal that ignores the reality of the situation.”

Pakistan: “7 more girls escape from Women Crisis Centre” — fear to be killed by relatives

(Pakistan) 7 more girls escape from Women Crisis Centre
— Pakistan Daily Times: “The girls fled from the centre after a girl was killed by her two brothers in the premises of a sessions court in Peshawar on September 26 when the centre officials brought her to the court. The official sources said that the girls fled from the centre the same day after the murder fearing their deaths at the hands of their relatives. It was the second incident as two other girls had fled from the centre on August 26. Noor Zaman, father of one of the girls, has filed a case against the centre management in a local court.”

NYC: Empire State Building Honors China, Critics Protest

NYC: Empire State Building Honors China, Critics Protest

— AP reports: “Red and yellow lights shone from the top of the Empire State Building at dusk Wednesday, a tribute to communist China’s 60th anniversary that protesters labeled “blatant approval” of totalitarianism and criticized as inappropriate for an icon in the land of the free.”
— “The building is routinely lit with different to mark holidays and big events, but opponents questioned whether it’s right to commemorate a sensitive political issue, particularly when China has such a poor human rights record.”
— “About 20 supporters of Tibet, which China has ruled since shortly after communists took over in 1949, protested outside the building during a ceremonial lighting of a scale model inside the lobby. They chanted ‘No to China’s empire; free Tibet now,’ and held signs reading, ‘Empire State Building celebrating 60 years of China’s oppression.'”
— “Lhadon Tethong, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet, called the lighting ‘outright, blatant approval for a communist totalitarian system.'”

Canada – Montreal Gazette: “Rock-throwing a hate crime: mosque”

Montreal Gazette: “Rock-throwing a hate crime: mosque”
— “Police slow to respond to vandalism at community centre, Muslim Council says”
— “The smashing of a window at a newly opened Muslim community centre in Côte des Neiges last week should be treated as a hate crime, says Salam Elmanyawi, president of the Muslim Council of Montreal.”