Saturday, February 23, 2008

Religion of Peace?

The constitution enshrines freedom to worship, yet Christians feel intimidated by rising extremism. Rights activists say dozens are jailed on blasphemy charges.

Pakistan was established as an Islamic state 60 years ago, but nearly 6 million of the 165 million population are from religious minorities, according to the government. Private estimates run higher. Shahbaz Bhatti, head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, an umbrella organization for minority religions, claimed that there were more than 10 million Christians, up to 6 million Hindus, and 5 million Buddhists, Zoroastrians and others.

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