Washington: There was a potential danger of retribution against Christians and Jews
in several countries, particularly in Pakistan, as a result of war against Iraq, the
US Commission on Religious Freedom has warned.
The Commission - which advices the US Congress and the government - in a letter to
Secretary of State Colin Powell urged the administration to remind foreign
governments of their responsibility to protect the lives of minority religious
community members.
It expressed concerns that extremists tried to portray Iraq war as part of an
alleged US attack on Islam, and that retribution will be sought against Christians,
Jews and others throughout the Islamic world, as well as in the West, who are
perceived as having some affiliation or affinity with the United States or its
coalition partners.
The danger, says the Commission, could be particularly acute in Pakistan where
leaders of Islamic coalition, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, have made threats to consider
any attack as one "on the whole Muslim world".
Though Pakistan has worked closely with US in the war on terrorism since the
beginning of coalition military action in Afghanistan, there have been repeated
attacks against Christian churches, schools, and charitable and medical institutions
in the country, it said.
"Although the Musharraf government has deplored these incidents, the authorities
have so far failed to bring the perpetrators to justice," the Commission
noted.
PTI
