Pakistan: Christians Ordered to Turn to Islam or Be Killed
Aug 21 2007
Postings >> Pakistan

Militants in Peshawar have apparently ordered Christians to turn to Islam or be killed.

Police reinforcements have been sent to the Kohati area after letters making the death threats were delivered to several families in the inner city.

The letters, which gave a deadline for compliance of August 10, read: 'Be ready as it is not only a mere threat. Our suicide bombers will kill you. Consider it a final call.' They were signed by a previously unknown group, Al-Jihad.

The News, a Pakistani national daily paper, said that similar threats were received by local Hindus. Non-Muslim places of worship and residential areas are under tight police guard.

7x7 reported on May 29 that Christians in Charsadda and Mardan, North West Frontier Province, recently received similar letters warning them to convert to Islam or be bombed. Police have since claimed these threats were a child's prank but Christians remain anxious. Meanwhile, in Lahore, thousands of protestors gathered on August 11 to back a 'Charter of Demands' calling on the government of Pakistan to ensure equal rights for religious minorities.

As well as pushing for the creation of a National Commission on Religious Tolerance, the charter demands that the government repeals the notorious blasphemy laws -- and takes a tougher line on religious extremism.

• Pray for God's peace and protection over the Christians of Kohati.
• Pray for wisdom for President Pervez Musharraf: he faces tough decisions on how to tackle religious extremism as his country creeps perilously close to chaos.