U.S. Muslim Group Abhors Pakistan Violence
Blames "Enemies of Islam" for Attacks at Presbyterian Institutions

by John Filiatreau
August 13, 2002

LOUISVILLE – The American Muslim Council (AMC) has condemned recent violence against Christians in Pakistan, blaming "enemies of Pakistan and Islam" for the killings of nine people at Presbyterian-related institutions near Islamabad, the capital.

The AMC urged the government of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf "to act swiftly to apprehend the culprits of this heinous crime against humanity" and to "leave no stone unturned in breaking the vicious chain of violence" in Pakistan.

It said violence against Westerners "is a national crisis" and "has virtually destroyed the tourism industry, costing thousands of jobs and millions in lost revenues."

Marian McClure, director of the Worldwide Ministries Division, said in an Aug. 12 letter to the AMC that PC(USA) officials have been "encouraged" by its statement of condemnation. She wrote, "We affirm that Christians and Muslims in the United States can express our concern for assaults upon human life and that we can act together in ways that bring justice and peace."

On Aug. 9, three men lobbed grenades at hospital workers as they left a morning chapel service at the Christian (Presbyterian) Hospital in Taxila, killing four nurses and injuring more than two dozen people. One of the attackers was killed.

The hospital's administrator, Ernest Lall, told CNN that the attack appeared to be "some sort of anti-Christian terrorism."

The Taxila hospital is one of two major facilities operated by the United Presbyterian Medical Board of Pakistan, a partnership between the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The AMC statement, dated Aug. 9, also deplored other recent violence directed against foreigners in Pakistan, including an Aug. 5 attack on a Christian school in Murree that left six Pakistanis dead. In that incident, masked gunmen forced their way onto the campus of Murree Christian School, a boarding school on PC(USA) property in the Himalayan foothills. Two children of PC(USA) missionaries attend the Murree school. No students were among the casualties. The gunmen are believed to have killed themselves after being stopped by police.

The AMC, established in 1990, is the oldest Muslim political organization in the United States. Its purpose is to help the seven million U.S. Muslims participate effectively in the political and public-policy arenas.

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