ICC Note: Christians in Pakistan are voicing concern over a new bill that makes Quranic teachings mandatory in schools and colleges. Christians fear that this will promote bigotry and hatred of non-Muslims in Pakistan as no similar program has been announced for non-Muslim religions. Christians already face widespread discrimination in Pakistan which has left their community socially and economically ostracized.

05/10/2018 Pakistan (Premier) – A Christian legal advocacy group in the UK has voiced its concerns over a new Pakistani bill that makes Quranic teachings mandatory in all schools and colleges.

The bill was passed unanimously last Friday despite the delays to it being heard.

The National Assembly and the Senate had already passed the compulsory teaching of Holy Quran bill in 2017.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, which is a part of charity Christians from Pakistan, expressed his concern about the bill and said: “It is sad that for minorities, especially Christians who are living in large numbers in Punjab, their religious and fundamental rights are totally ignored.

“No alternative program has been announced for non-Muslim students of Punjab.

“It will promote bigotry and hatred against non-Muslims in Pakistani society, something which is already on the rise.”

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