“The problem,” Archbishop Saladhana said, “is that no scholar dares to oppose the Taliban view of Islam.”
However, Archbishop Saldanha believes these trends can be reversed, if the growing ranks of “quiet dissenters” can find their voice and use the media to their own advantage.
“Thanks to the Internet and Facebook, the minds of many youths are opened and they do not subscribe to the extremist philosophy,” he noted. “They would like to see Pakistan develop into a modern and progressive state.”
Shortly before Governor Taseer's murder, various professional associations, trade unions, political parties, and other concerned citizens had already formed a Karachi-based group called “Citizens for Democracy,” with goal of opposing religious extremism and violence. The bishops' National Commission for Justice and Peace have joined with these groups in their campaign.
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The movement aims to change the blasphemy law and return to the principles of Pakistan's 1973 constitution. Although the constitution established the country as an Islamic republic, it also provided for citizens' universal rights and the protection of religious minorities. It has only been in recent years, amid political instability, that these intentions gave way to openly discriminatory policies.
In Archbishop Saldanhda's territory of Lahore, a group of like-minded non-governmental organizations have also formed a “joint action committee” to promote religious and civil liberties and oppose the influence of radical Islamic ideology.
Despite some worrying trends, the archbishop believes many Pakistanis share this vision for their country. He indicated that these individuals and groups were beginning to awaken to the urgent situation, with the realization that they must advocate for peace and the common good at least as boldly as others seek to promote discord.
“The recent murder of Governor Salman Taseer is a wake up call for all enlightened and rational sections of society,” he stated. “They stand for social, legal and economic equality of all citizens of Pakistan, and are determined to oppose the 'Talibanization' of society.”