Pakistani Christians condemn Muslim MNA’s anti-Bible remarks


Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Naveed Aamir Jeeva has condemned the hat remarks made by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader and member of the National Assembly (MNA) Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, suggesting he should stay within his limits.

Maulana Abdul has drawn criticism from religious minorities’ political and religious leaders, lawyers and for his anti-Christian remarks. 
 
While addressing the session of the National Assembly, he criticised the remarks of Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Esa regarding the allotment of 20 percent additional marks for being a Hafiz-e-Quran at every level after matriculation.
 
The apex court challenged the concept of Hafiz-e-Quran students getting extra marks in university admissions.

 
The senior judge said that while memorising the Holy Quran could be useful for someone who wanted to become the imam of a mosque or a religious lecturer, he did not see why someone not following this path would need to. 
 
Maulana Abdul lashed out at Justice Esa and alleged that he compared the Holy Quran with Christians’ holy books,

Nasir Saeed, Director CLAAS-UK, said: “It is a sad moment in the history of the National Assembly of Pakistan. On the one hand Pakistan is trying to portray its soft image in the world, while on the other hand, they allow people like Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali to promote hatred against religious minorities.

“Such statements are revealing for the world, and show how Christians are being treated in Pakistan. 
 
“It is difficult to understand when Muslims say they are people of the book, and they believe in all books of the Holy Books and Jesus.

“But very often we see people insulting Jesus and the Holy Bible and Christianity, and it all goes unchecked, nobody is ever questioned. 
 
“Maulana has not just hurt the religious feelings of the Pakistani Christians, but Christians living throughout the world. According to several world reports Christianity is still a very prominent religion and The Holy Bible is the most-read book in the world. 
 
“Maulana must apologise for insulting Christianity and the government must develop new rules for parliamentarians to abstain from using such language against any religion,  insulting any religion, and hurting the feeling/ of any religious minorities.”