PESHAWAR - In order to express solidarity with the Muslims, the Christian community on Sunday took out a peaceful rally from Church, situated near Swati Gate to Qayyum Sports Complex, against the anti-Islam movie.
They demanded enactment of law at international level to avoid such ugly attempts in future. The participants, including women, children and aged people hailing from Christian community were carrying placards and banners inscribed anti-American and against producer of the hateful film made in United States. The protesters chanted slogans against United States for supporting those, involved in producing the film in the name of freedom of expression.
Amid slogans “Down with America”, against Barack Obama, the protesters demanded for exemplary punishment to those, involved directly and indirectly, in making of profane movie made in US. They asked the UN to frame law restricting all acts of blasphemy against the Holy Prophets and all religions.
Pastor AR Hashmat, chairman of Assemblies of God Churches, led the Christian community rally. Speaking on the occasion, he said the film was a conspiracy to provoke the Muslims. “But we will not allow anyone to do so. And we, the Christian will foil such bids by all means being citizens of this country and brothers of Muslims, he added. “We strongly condemn the making of profane movie, demanding to make laws at international level to stop such blasphemous acts in the future and give a exemplary punishment according to law of the US,” Pastor Hashmat said.
Condemning the attack on Church in district Mardan, he demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to reconstruct the damaged building of the church and take exemplary action against the people involved behind the act.
Later, the rally was joined by Syed Aqil Shah who assured the peaceful protesters of every possible step to renovate and reconstruct the destroyed building of Church in district Mardan. “We, the government, strongly support the peaceful protests and demonstration, and are against violence,” Aqil Shah said, while addressing the protesters in premises of Quyyum Sports complex. He also demanded of the UN and western powers to make legislation at international level to hinder such blasphemous acts in the future.