A small win for religious freedom in Pakistan

 Pakistan.

- A number of different sources report that the Pakistani government has decided that non-Muslim students will no longer be required to study Islam in school. A leading figure in the fight for minority rights in the country was Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who was murdered for his Christian faith in 2011.

International Christian Concern writes that: "The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training announced earlier this week that a new curriculum will be introduced during the 2024-2025 academic school year, making Islamic studies non-compulsory for Christian students. Students from first through 12th grade will soon be allowed to study the religion of their family."

- ICC also states that the decision is a small win for religious freedom in Pakistan. Christians in Pakistan are routinely subjected to blasphemy laws, mob violence, and forced marriage and conversion. 

"Ironically, the curriculum also includes lessons on Christian values like martyrdom. Christian students will learn about heroes of the faith like Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minorities Minister, who was murdered in 2011 after speaking out against persecuted Christians in Pakistan." (full text in the link)

ICC: "Pakistani Christians no longer required to study islam in school" (27.1.2024)

https://www.persecution.org/2024/01/27/pakistani-christians-no-longer-required-to-study-islam-in-school/