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Islamic Human Rights Commission

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08 July 2003

Charter 3:103 Project

The convenors of Charter 3:103*, the anti-sectarian project, today condemned the resurgence and escalation of sectarian violence in Pakistan, as well as in other Muslim countries.

Charter 3:103’s joint convenors (see below) stated that:

“We are calling on all Muslim organisations to condemn the killings of 53 Shia Muslims in a mosque in Quetta, Pakistan during Friday prayers. It is time that the Muslim community stood up to those spreading sectarianism and hatred within it.

“Muslims need to start learning to celebrate their diversity and realise that they are united by far more than that which they perceive to divide them. Islam is the revelation of truth, love and justice for the whole of mankind, yet we continually hear speakers on tour promoting exclusivism – often violent – that results in this kind of orchestrated and totally unacceptable violence.

“At a time when Muslims world-wide are under sustained attack and demonsiation it beggars belief that certain groups identify worshippers at Friday prayers as enemies. These killings were criminal and the Muslim community should condemn them as such.”

The convenors of Charter 3:103 urge all sincere Muslims individuals and organisations to act as signatories to the pledges of Charter 3:103 and make a firm commitment to the repudiation of sectarian ideology, the very antithesis of Islam.

Charter 3:103’s convenors further urge Muslim organisations to present a formal protest to the Pakistan embassy against the continuing failure of the Pakistan government to curb sectarian violence and groups.

Please visit the following page for details of Pakistan embassies worldwide:

http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/pakistan1.htm

*Charter 3:103 was established in 1997 as a platform for Muslims to speak out against sectarianism, nationalism, racism and other divisive ideologies and movements. Please visit the following webpage to read the text of the Charter or download an A4 poster of it in PDF format:

https://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=686

or click on the link below.

For more information please contact:

Charter 3:103
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-20-8902-0888
Fax: +44-20-8902-0889
email: charter@ihrc.org

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