By Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad : Hundreds of Christian and Muslim educational institutions across Andhra Pradesh remain closed on Friday to show in protest against the attacks on Christians in Orissa by the activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.
The call for the closure of the Christian missionary schools and colleges was given by the Council of Churches of Andhra Pradesh to show solidarity with the Christian community of Orissa.
In a show of solidarity with the Christian community, the schools and colleges managed by Muslim community all over the state remain closed. Several Muslim organizations including Muslim Educational Social and Cultural Organization (MESCO), Minority Development Forum, HELP Hyderabad, Tameer-e-Millat, Amarat-e-Millat-e-Islamia had appealed for keeping Muslim managed institutions closed.
Moulana Abdul Raheem Qureshi of Tameer-e-Millat and Moulana Hameeduddin Hussami of Amarate-e-Millat-e-Islamia strongly condemning the attacks on Christian community and churches in Orissa said that the Muslim community should come forward to stand with the Christian minority and raise it voice to condemn the violence and promote communal harmony in the country.
Christians participate in peace prayers at St. Marys school grounds in Secunderabad, on 29 the August 2008
Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammed of Mesco said that such a protest was necessary because of violence against minorities was on the rise in different parts of India. “We want safety of minorities in the country. Se we have lent our support to the Christian associations on whom there is an increasing number of atrocities across the country”, he said.
Harcaharn Sing memeber National Commission for Minorities ,Yousuf Qurishi Chairman AP Minority Commssion and Hyderabad Bishop Marampui Joji Sen in the picture
Zaheeruddin Ali Khan of Minorities Development said, “all sections of society should join hands against the aggression of the Sangh Parivar”.
CM REASSURES CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
In a related development the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy discussed the situation ion the state vis-à-vis the Christian minority at a high level meeting attended by the Home Minister K Jana Reddy and top police and civil officials.
The Chief Minister reassured the community that the government will not allow any mischief against the members of the Christian community and their religious leader. The meeting was convened in the context of growing concern and unrest among the Christians over the incidents in Orissa as well as recent murder of a Pastor in Nizamabad district.
The Chief Minister instructed the director general of police SSP Yadav and other Police officials to nip in the bud itself any type of attempt to attack any Christian missionaries like pastors. He directed the DGP to take stringent action against any vested interested indulging in such acts.
The Police officials explained to the Chief Minister all cases relating to attack on Christian Missionaries since 2005 were thoroughly enquired, those found guilty arrested and cases booked against them. The Chief Minister assured the Christian Associations and Christian Community in general and Christian pastors in particular that the Government and the police will be very vigilant on this issue and will closely monitor the situation and will not allow any incident to occur, an official press release from the Chief Minister’s office said.
The Chief Minister asked the Home Minister to convene a meeting of all Christian Associations soon to discuss the issue, hear their points of view and reassure them about the government’s firm determination to put down any such attempts. He asked the DGP to directly monitor the situation from time to time. The Chief Minister said that the Christian missionaries and pastors need not get agitated over the issue.