Document
Minute on the current situation in Pakistan
WCC Executive Committee,
14-17 September 2010
Edinburg, Scotland
1. Pakistan currently faces a serious human crisis as the result of heavy floods. More than 17 million people have been uprooted and rendered homeless. More than twenty percent of Pakistan’s agricultural land has been flooded, damaging all crops in an amount greater than the damage of the 2004 tsunami and 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
2. The United Nations and Government of Pakistan have estimated the loss to be equivalent to $15 Billion. It has been reported that the support received as of 16 September was no more than one billion US dollars.
3. The WCC encourages its member churches to actively participate in supporting the humanitarian need of the people through their work with the respective churches or the development agencies.
4. It is noted that religious discrimination due to the abuse and misuse of the Blasphemy Laws continue to remain a reality, resulting in the recent murder of two Christian pastors. The WCC General Secretary has already brought this to the attention to the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.
5. The recent plan by a US pastor to burn the Quran was denounced by the WCC and churches worldwide. We consider even the threat of this act contrary to the principles and teaching of the Christian faith. It has resulted in Christians in Pakistan being threatened with attack and damage being done to churches.
6. The WCC regrets the recent destruction of three churches by explosions in the province of Pukhtunkhawa on 11 and 12 September 2010.
Therefore, the executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Musselburgh/Edinburgh, Scotland, 14-17 September 2010:
A. Reiterates its expression of solidarity and support to the humanitarian needs of the displaced people of Pakistan due to the floods;
B. Reminds WCC member churches and related agencies to continue to respond to the urgent humanitarian situation;
C. Urges political and religious leaders of Pakistan to continue making efforts to prevent the abuse and misuse of the Blasphemy Laws, promoting an environment of peace, trust and justice;
D. Requests churches in Europe and the United States to impress upon their members and societies to avoid hurtful religious sentiments of other faith communities, and in this particular case that of Islam.
Approved by consensus by the WCC Executive Committee, 17 September, 2010, Musselburgh/Edinburg, Scotland.
