Joint Church stand on insurgency lauded

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (UCAN) -- As Pakistan's security forces remain locked in battle with Taliban militants in the country's northwest, the mainstream Churches have jointly called for structural, legal and policy reforms to pave the way for peace.

Pakistan's security forces on May 8 launched a deadly offensive against Taliban fighters in the districts of Lower Dir, Buner and Swat causing the worst exodus in the country's history.

Mehboob Sada, director of the Christian Study Centre, participated in a May 22 meeting of leaders of Christian Churches, including Catholic bishops. The meeting had the theme, "On Extremism and Religious Minorities." He also helped to draft a statement released later in a press conference, in which the Churches expressed their concern about the present state of affairs in the country.

Sada, 62, has been with the center for 23 years, including eight as director. The ecumenical center's work focuses on a range of issues facing the country, including studying Islamization and its impact on women and minorities, to researching Christian-Muslim relationships.

In recent days, Sada has been constantly in touch with locals in Swat and has been conducting meetings with Muslims and Christians to review the situation.

Sada explains in an interview with UCA News that Taliban militancy in Pakistan has its roots in Islamization, which has seriously affected the country's unity and even its independence. Nevertheless, he says that hope lies in reforming the constitution and having a balanced syllabus in educational institutions.

The interview with Sada follows:

UCA NEWS: How would you describe the current situation in Swat?

MEHBOOB SADA: We are witnessing the negative impacts of the process of so-called Islamization that began under the military rule of late president General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq from 1977-1988. People leading normal and harmonious lives have been uprooted and compartmentalized into religious sects. Hatred has developed in an arrogant, holier-than-thou way. The unrest is not only limited to the insurgency in Swat but throughout the whole country. We have failed to work as a nation.

How serious a threat is the present situation to Pakistan?

The current situation is very dangerous for the country. There is complete insecurity. The economy is weakening and social life is suffering. Tourism has come to a halt, especially in scenic Swat that was once one of the country's most popular destinations for foreign tourists. All paths to development have closed.

How would you describe the ideology of Taliban militants in Swat?

They are trying to impose a new Shari'a (Islamic law) which is devoid of the real Islamic spirit. These Islamic fundamentalists have declared democracy, girls' education and the judicial system as un-Islamic. They only believe in the principal of "kill or be killed," with the promise of paradise. The instances of such inhuman practices cannot be found in Islamic history. Liberal Muslims have condemned the Taliban's fundamentalist interpretation of Islam and only certain people with vested interests have approved of it.

Are their particular fears for Christians and other minorities?

A few Christian educational institutions have been targeted in the North West Frontier Province. There have been some rumors about some Islamic political parties alleging that Christian organizations are trying to convert Muslims during aid efforts.

Among minorities, the Sikh community constitutes the highest percentage of internally displaced people. They are mostly traders by profession and were asked to pay jazia (a religious tax imposed on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule) or convert to Islam. The refugees also include many Christian families and a few Hindus.

How serious is the humanitarian crisis springing from this?

The government is now facing a new challenge in the wake of the biggest migration since partition with India in 1947. Most of these people are not poor but had to leave their properties and businesses behind. Reconstruction in areas affected by the military operation will take time and these people will not be able to go back to their houses for one or two years.

What have the Christian Churches been doing to help?

Church leaders have clearly exhibited unity regarding the impact of extremism on religious minorities in the May 22 press conference in Lahore. The joint stand of Churches amidst the current insurgency is a good sign. We have formed a strategy of peaceful struggle and have called for a day of prayer and fasting as well as a day of rallies.

The Church of Pakistan's northern diocese is also running two camps for displaced Christians and Hindus in Mardan city in the North West Frontier Province, with 103 families presently residing there. That includes six Hindu and seven Muslims families, with the rest being Christians.

Do you see the present problem spreading?

The government claims that the army will control the situation and people are supporting the security forces. I also have hopes that the military operation could provide a solution to the Taliban problem.

Is there anything you would like to add or comment on?

The status of religious minorities is a key question that has to be dealt with in democratizing the country. The Christian Churches have learned from experience that responding to emergencies is not sufficient.

Religious extremism in the country can be eliminated by removing discriminatory laws from the constitution and biased religious material from the curriculum.

(Ucan News)