Pakistani Christians ask Imran Khan to scrap 25th Dec rally

[W.11]

ISLAMABAD: A Christian rights group in Pakistan on Thursday urged cricket hero turned politician Imran Khan to scrap a major rally planned for Christmas Day, calling the move insensitive to the minority group.

Khan set Pakistan alight and surprised critics last month by drawing tens of thousands of people to a rally in his hometown of Lahore, transforming overnight from a wannabe to potential kingmaker in polls expected next year.

He now hopes to top that success with a rally in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, on December 25, which holds special significance as the birthday of the country’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and a public holiday.

But in an open letter, the Centre for Human Rights Education called on Khan to change the date and send a positive message to persecuted minorities that he would work to reverse decades of discrimination.

“Arranging a rally on Christmas Day shows they are not sensitive to the Christian community,” said Samson Salamat, director of the Lahore-based group and a Christian human rights activist.

“This is an important day for us and it is our basic right that we should be given respect,” he told AFP.

Arif Alvi, secretary general of Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) told AFP the party would “consider the suggestion” but said it would hamper preparations to change the date.

“We will cooperate with the Christian community and facilitate their celebration of Christmas. We will also provide them transport, if they contact us, for Christmas celebrations or to attend our rally,” he said.

But Michael Javed, a Christian community leader in Karachi, dismissed any problem, saying that Christmas rituals would be largely completed before the rally gets underway in the evening of December 25.

There is a tiny Christian minority in Pakistan, where only three per cent of the population of 167 million are estimated to be non-Muslim and where the Vatican has said Christians are often victims of violence and discrimination.

Pakistani Christians ask Imran Khan to scrap 25th Dec rally | Pakistan | DAWN.COM

 

[Omar1984]

Quaid-e-Azam's birthday is also on December 25th.

Sorry Christians, but this rally on December 25 is in no way against your beliefs or your celebrations.

 

[Rusty]

Muslims get no special treatment for Eid in the west so I don't see why Christians should get special treatment in this case.
Besides, it's only a small minority asking for this.

 

[Karachiite]

Muslims get no special treatment for Eid in the west so I don't see why Christians should get special treatment in this case.
Besides, it's only a small minority asking for this.

Muslims are allowed to become PM or President in the West, I don't see the same in Pakistan. No forced conversion against Muslims in the West but I do see forced conversions in Pakistan against Christians. No riots against Muslims in the West but I do see that in Pakistan against Christians (Gojra).

Btw there are a lot of Christians in Karachi so it would be a loss for PTI if they can't attend.

 

[W.11]

christians are given holy day to celebrate, i dont see why imran's rally is disturbing them, they can well celebrate christmas in their homes with comfort

 

[Majnun]

Muslims get no special treatment for Eid in the west so I don't see why Christians should get special treatment in this case.
Besides, it's only a small minority asking for this.

What do Pakistani Christians have to do with the West? This isn't a competition with Muslims in the West, Pakistan has nothing to do with Muslims in the West, and Pakistani Christians have nothing to do with the West. They are the equal citizens of our country.

 

[Omar1984]

But Michael Javed, a Christian community leader in Karachi, dismissed any problem, saying that Christmas rituals would be largely completed before the rally gets underway in the evening of December 25.

I dont see any problem. Even his speech on October 30th in Lahore started after sunset so that leaves plenty of time for Christians to celebrate on Christmas Day.

Christians attend Midnight Mass (in Church) but thats in Christmas Eve (the night before Christmas Day). Christmas Day is usually spending time with families, exchanging presents, etc..

So in no way, this rally will harm Christian celebrations.

 

[Majnun]

I don't see a problem with PTI rally on December 25, only its Quaid-e-Azam's death anniversary, so maybe the date should be changed.

 

[Omar1984]

I don't see a problem with PTI rally on December 25, only its Quaid-e-Azam's death anniversary, so maybe the date should be changed.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876 and he died on September 11,1948.

 

[W.11]

You seem to be very ignorant about the founder of our nation.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876 and he died on September 11, 1948.

lol pawned

 

[Leader]

I think this should double the celebrations !! finally minorities are going to find a party where they are equally treated, and a party that strongly believes in equality of citizens !!!

so I think there is no need to change the date, just join hands and show solidarity that we are one !

 

[Rusty]

Muslims are allowed to become PM or President in the West, I don't see the same in Pakistan. No forced conversion against Muslims in the West but I do see forced conversions in Pakistan against Christians. No riots against Muslims in the West but I do see that in Pakistan against Christians (Gojra).

Btw there are a lot of Christians in Karachi so it would be a loss for PTI if they can't attend.

What?
Are you sure you are not getting your information from Jihad watch?

1. A person not born inside the United states, even if they are blond hair blue eyed American, cannot become the President.
At least for us, we have a logical reason for not letting a non Muslim lead a Muslim nation.

2. Where are these forced conversations? and why do we still have minorities if people are being forced to convert.
When people build Churches in Pakistan we dont have a nationwide hate campain like the "World Trade Center mosque"

and 3. You never replied to my original point. Muslims don't get a holiday on Eid in the West. If we can manage that then surely Christians in Pakistan can deal with this.

 

[Fracker]

No body can Force anyone into Islam. Since Islam is by heart. So, Forced Conversion into Islam itself is baseless

 

[Karachiite]

What?
Are you sure you are not getting your information from Jihad watch?

1. A person not born inside the United states, even if they are blond hair blue eyed American, cannot become the President.
At least for us, we have a logical reason for not letting a non Muslim lead a Muslim nation.

Being born outside of the US has nothing to do with religion. As long as you are born in America regardless of religion you can become the President. We have seen what your Muslim leaders have done with Pakistan.

What?
2. Where are these forced conversations? and why do we still have minorities if people are being forced to convert.
When people build Churches in Pakistan we dont have a nationwide hate campain like the "World Trade Center mosque"

Maybe your ignorant of the forced conversions and kidnappings of Hindus in Interior Sindh and Balochistan. The forced conversions of Christians in Punjab. I don't agree with opposing the mosque as that is against freedom of religion. But if A Christian had blew up some national monument in Pakistan and a church was going to be built in that spot or somewhere near it I'm pretty sure people would have killed the guy building the Church.
In America a mosque has never been destroyed or terrorized. In Pakistan a church has already been a victim of terrorism and temples are destroyed.

and 3. You never replied to my original point. Muslims don't get a holiday on Eid in the West. If we can manage that then surely Christians in Pakistan can deal with this.

You do know that the original post is about some Christian group opposing the 25th rally because they wont be able to attend the rally. And in the West Muslims compromise less then 1%. In Pakistan believe it or not there is a sizeable population of Christians. Even countries like India and Phillipines where Muslims are a minority have made Eid a public holiday.

 

[kugga]

In ko samajh naai atee free ka concert bhi mil jaaey ga halla gulla bhi ho jaaey ga.... In ko tou khush hona chaheye subah church jaaein shaam ko aa jaaein concert mein