The American Spectator

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Christians at Risk in Pakistan

By Doug Bandow on 8.3.09 @ 12:42PM

America's allies have long been among America's biggest problems.  Saudi Arabia was the biggest source of funding for Islamic extremism and backed the Taliban.  It is one of the most repressive regimes on earth, especially for religious minorities.  Pakistan also supported the Taliban, promoted nuclear proliferation around the world, and brutalized non-Muslims.

Some things haven't changed since 9/11.

Islamic extremism, always dangerous in Pakistan, has turned virulent.  Reports the Washington Post:

They do not want to bury the Christians. They want the nation to see them.

By nightfall Sunday, hundreds of residents of the Christian enclave here stood in defiant vigil around seven particleboard coffins neatly aligned on the train tracks that run through town. They had demands: Until the government investigates the killings and finds those responsible, they will not remove the bodies.

Police waited warily in the street. A man on a loudspeaker bellowed the villagers' sentiments, which included anger at provincial authorities for not stopping the killings.

"Death to the Punjab government!"

A spasm of religious violence came to this rural town in the shape of an angry Muslim mob Saturday morning. The Muslims marched to avenge what they believed was the desecration of a Koran one week earlier. When it was over, dozens of houses were torched and Faith Bible Pentecostal Church lay in ruins. Two villagers were shot dead, residents said. Five others, including two children, burned alive.

The New York Times also covered the story.

The next time Islamic leaders propose an ecumenical or political dialogue, the West should respond sure.  But before we start talking, could you please stop killing Christians, Jews, and other religious minorities?  Only then is serious dialogue possible.