Threats to minorities continue in northwestern Pakistan

Published: 2007-08-21

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (CNS) -- Threats to minorities continue in Pakistan's North-West Frontier province, where church leaders and Christian communities have received letters warning them to convert to Islam or face suicide bombings. The Asian church news agency UCA News reported Aug. 21 that seven churches and five Christian settlements in Peshawar received threatening letters Aug. 7 telling them either to become Muslims or face death. The letters were sent to the pastors of three Church of Pakistan churches, two Catholic churches, an Assemblies of God church, a Seventh-day Adventist church and another church, as well as to elders in poor Christian areas. Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier, lies close to the Afghan border, about 95 miles west of Islamabad. The letters, written in Urdu, said in part: "All residents are given an open invitation to leave Isaiyat (Christianity), the religion of infidelity, and embrace Islam. Become Muslims and reserve a home for yourself in heaven. ... This is not a mere threat; our suicide bombers will exterminate you. Consider it a knock of death."

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