Italian FM Condemns Anti Christian Attacks in India Following Qur’an Burning
Washington, D.C. (September 15, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 13 Italy’s foreign minister denounced the anti-Christian attacks in Punjab and Kashmir, India where rioters burned a Christian school and church. The attacks were in response to a burned Quran being left at an Islamic center in East Lansing, Michigan last Saturday.
On Sunday, Muslim attackers set fire to the furniture of the church in Malerkotla town, Punjab. The following day, another mob set a Christian school ablaze in Tangmarg village of Kashmir.
“News is coming in from India of dramatic episodes of violence against the Christian community. News that stirs feelings of profound indignation and the utmost censure,” said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
The Minister also called upon the international community to “to speak with one voice and to take on the obligation of defending, in each and every context, the principle of religious freedom. A freedom which is a fundamental human right.”
ICC’s president, Jeff King, said “We commend the Italian government for taking the lead in condemning attacks on Christians by Muslim mobs in India. Unfortunately, most political leaders and media personalities are focused on protecting Muslims from any perceived offense. We believe that people should be free to burn the Bible or the Quran without fear of attack that is their misguided wish. We are shocked that the heart of the cultural debate is not focused on those who resort to violence when offended, especially when the victims have nothing to do with the original offense. More leaders need to follow Italy’s foreign minister’s example.”
