Christians Join Muslims against Mass Killings in Myanmar

July 26, 2012: Christians on Tuesday joined Muslims in Lahore to protest what they say is genocide being committed in Myanmar against Rohingyas in western Rakhine state.

Dozens of Christian joined the protest outside the Press Club in Lahore urging UN intervention to end alleged violence against the minority Muslim ethnic group. Christian leader Saleem Gabriel said they also took part in the protest to show solidarity with Pakistani Muslims. “They are our brothers we share their grief and support their movement against this religious violence.”

Unconfirmed media reports say hundreds of Muslims have been killed and thousands displaced since violence flared in May after claims that three Rohingya Muslims raped and then murdered a Buddhist girl.

Allama Muhammad Iqbal Azhari, the Punjab president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Party welcomed the Christian demonstration in Lahore. “Isais [a Muslim reference to Christians] are favoring the oppressed for the sake of humanity which is a good thing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muslims groups in Pakistan have condemned what they say is a “media blackout” regarding events in Myanmar and have organized protest rallies and demonstrations in Punjab province. “Isais [a Muslim reference to Christians] are favoring the oppressed for the sake of humanity which is a good thing,” he said.