Pakistan: religious leaders in talks after attacks on Christian community

(February 25, 2010) There is calm on the streets, but tension remains high in the city of Karachi in southern Pakistan, where on Sunday, a group of 150 Muslims attacked Christian churches, shops, and homes in the area of Pahar Ganj, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood in the city. Local sources report that the local religious leaders have been working to organize various initiatives to bring peace and calm back to the population, especially in terms of Muslim-Christian relations. Fr Edward Joseph, Pastor of St Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi said: "The people were very frightened, but now all is calm. Certainly, in the city the climate is rather tense, especially the conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that has reached the point of extreme violence. Sometimes, religious minorities like Christians are victims of this simmering tension, which is at the point of explosion for petty reasons. After the riots on Sunday, police took control of the situation and now patrol the streets of the neighbourhood. Even the churches are protected by guards" "We hope there is no further violence. All priests of the diocese are gathered in a Lenten retreat with the Archbishop Evarist Pinto, praying for peace and harmony," notes the priest. The riot started over a simple dispute between a Muslim fruit merchant and a young Christian customer. This spread to the attacks on the houses and beating up Christians on the streets, vandalizing shops and burning cars, as well as damaging two Protestant churches. Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Karachi are discussing ways to improve community relations.