Indian Muslim condemns the murder of two Christians in Pakistan.

(July 21,2010) The murder of the two Christians in Faisalabad, Pakistan has been strongly condemned by an Indian Muslim in Mumbai. Asghar Ali Engineer, an Indian Muslim who heads the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism in Mumbai said the murder was a horrible crime and he received the news with deep sorrow and regret. He lamented that such criminal acts are repeatedly taking place in Pakistan. “I am completely against the blasphemy laws; there is nothing in the Qur‘an about it,” he added.
The two Christians Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih Emmanuel, who are brothers, were gunned down Monday, as they left a courthouse in Faisalabad. Police had arrested them on blasphemy charges, but they were acquitted by the court. The double murder has stirred violent tensions between Christians and Muslims. Police has placed the city under a state of emergency.
The scholar Ali Engineer blamed Pakistani authorities for doing nothing to stop the rise of fanaticism. What is the Government doing to protect the vulnerable Christian community? The security of citizens is the responsibility of the government. What steps is it taking to rein in the criminals, clerics and other anti-social elements? he asked.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also condemned the shocking murder of the two brothers. A statement issued by the HRCP said their killing highlights government's failure to protect its citizens, especially the minorities. Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti blamed the local mosques in Faisalabad for the attack on the two brothers.