Signature campaign and public performance against violence in the name of religion

A CFD volunteer engages in discussion with a member of the public.

Dear friends and supporters, it’s not that Citizens for Democracy (CFD) has been completely inactive, but we haven’t managed to update our blog for some weeks. This is an update about an activity last month in Karachi, in response to the call of Karachi’s citizens regarding ongoing target killings and other violence in the name of religion.

On April 14, 2012 CFD organized a signature campaign using the text we had used earlier, as well a public theatre performance against the killings and other violence in the name of religion.

Live and let live: Stop violence in the name of religion

CFD signature campaign, March, 2011: Volunteers engaged with the public and got a great response. Photo: Shuja Qureshi

This post: information about CFD’s signature campaign. If you cannot attend, sign here to participate in the signature campaign. Letter text below

Dear friends, recently, Pakistanis initiated online petitions and wrote to the relevant authorities to protest the  hate campaign and violence against Ahmadis in Pakistan specially by members of the so-called Difa-e-Pakistan Council, target-killing of Shias and other acts of violence in the name of religion. Incidents where people are stopped, identified and killed for their religious beliefs are increasing in Pakistan, the only country where it’s a crime for Ahmadis to practice their religion. Forced conversions, attacks on Christian churches and false cases under blasphemy laws (including against Muslims of various sects) are becoming more and more common. The space for free practice of religion and civil public discourse is  shrinking.

It is high time for Pakistanis to unite and raise a collective voice against these trends before it’s too late. We need to follow up the letter campaigns with a more visible public action. We need to make concrete, consistent and focused attempts for our survival, and consolidate the struggle to take our country back. Every little step counts. In this spirit, Citizens for Democracy (CFD) is planning another public signature campaign and performance on Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 in front of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim/opp. Park Towers, Clifton, Karachi. The theme is “Live and let Live: Stop violence in the name of religion”. Program schedule and letter text:

Commemorating Shahbaz Bhatti: Photos of candlelight vigil and street theatre

KARACHI, Mar 2, 2012: Photos of the candlelight vigil and street theatre event organised by CFD to commemorate the first death anniversary of slain Religious Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti. For more photos click this link.

Candlelight vigil to commemorate Shahbaz Bhatti

Citizens for Democracy (CFD) invites you to join in the Candlelight vigil to mark the first anniversary of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, former Federal Minister for Minorities.

Mr. Bhatti, who was assassinated on March 2, 2011 in Islamabad, was a member of National Assembly of Pakistan and an outspoken critic of misuse of Blasphemy Laws introduced by the military dictator, Gen. Zia ul Haq.

The candlelight vigil will held on March 2, 2012 at 6:30 pm in front of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim/Jehangir Kothari Parade, opposite Park Towers, Clifton, Karachi.

Please join us, invite friends and help spread the word.
Thanks.

Citizens For Democracy (CFD)
Please join us on facebook and ‘like’ our page

Signature campaign: Stop the violence against Pakistan’s religious communities

Pakistan needs rule of law and de-politicisation of police. Those engaging criminal offences like hate speech, threats and incitement to violence, and vigilante violence must be charged, tried, prosecuted, and punished. We will not allow people in public office or public positions, like political parties and traders’ unions to go around supporting hate-campaigns and violence. Please sign this petition demanding an end to violence against religious communities in Pakistan

Killing of Salman Taseer: An open letter to Maulana Ilyas Qadri, from India

Posted in TwoCircles.net on Jan 11. 2012

New Delhi: Civil society members in India have felt deep pain at the brutal killing of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab (Pakistan), and have condemned the gruesome act. In an open letter to Maulana Ilyas Qadri, leader of Dawat-e-Islami group to which the assassin is believed to have attached, Muslim intellectuals, students and civil rights activists have said the killing of the governor was un-Islamic and did not match the character of the Prophet.

Herald exclusive on ‘blasphemy’ (Feb 2011)

CFD invitation flier for Reference for Salmaan Taseer, Jan 18, 2011, 5 pm, Arts Council Karachi (held at PMA House after the Arts Council withdrew due to security concerns)

The history of blasphemy cases in Pakistan overwhelmingly points to the suffering of those who languish for years in jail because of faulty trials and biased proceedings. Reproduced here: a series of articles from The Herald (Feb 2011) on this contentious issue.