I am deeply troubled that minorities in Pakistan are treated so badly: J. S. Bandukwala

Letters to the Editor

26 Mar 2010, NewAgeIslam.Com

I am deeply troubled that minorities in Pakistan are treated so badly: J. S. Bandukwala

My dear Sultan Shahin Sahab,   I have read Mr. M.K. Dhar's article 'Hindu-Sikh Minorities in Pakistan: The Vanishing Communities' on the condition of Hindu Sikh minorities in Pakistan. I am deeply troubled that minorities in Pakistan are treated so badly. This is against the very essence of Islam, as expressed in a number of Quranic Ayats. In particular : (2,256) Laaa Ikraha fid diin. There is no compulsion in religion.  (109,6) Lakum diinukum wa liya diin. Unto you your religion, and unto me mine.  (16,36) Wa laqad basna fii kulli ummatir rasuulan. We have sent among every people, a Prophet. The Holy prophet never forced Islam on anyone, including His own beloved uncle, Abu Talib, who refused to recite the Kalama, even though he was very sympathetic to the new faith. Further Waraqa ibn Naufal,  a mystic and a first cousin of Hazrat Khadija, told her, right after the first revelation, that her husband is the Prophet. Yet oddly he continued in his  faith of Christianity, and refused to accept Islam. But no force was ever applied on him to change his faith. A humane treatment of a minority is the corner stone of any civilised society. When will our own fanatics understand that by harassing, and even torturing minorities in Muslim countries, they are committing three grave sins : 1) They are endangering the lives of Muslims living in non Muslim countries. 2) They are projecting an image of Muslims as uncivilsed and barbarians. 3) Most important, they are violating the core of Islam, and going counter to the life of the Holy Prophet.  With Regards, J.S. Bandukwala URL: http://newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamLetters_1.aspx?ArticleID=2620

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Asadullah Syed