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Vicki Francis/Department for International Development
UK Department for International Development
World News

Pakistan: Concern Christians will be forced to attend compulsory Quran studies

The country's Ministry of Professional and Technical Training is proposing the Islamic holy book becomes a compulsory subject in all state schools.

Minister of State Muhammad Balighur Rehman said the classes would only be compulsory for Muslim students but it is feared Christians will be bullied into attending.

Speaking with Premier,Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, Wilson Chowdhry, said Christians would be "bullied" into attending.

Many believers are already forced to attend Islamic prayers at work, he said.

He told Premier some Christians would not send their children to school if there was any concern they may have to sit in Quran lessons.

He said: "These current proposals will nullify the long going programme of improvement of education for minorities.

"The impact of this will no doubt have an effect on the attendance of minority children.

"Only 7% of Pakistani Christians attain an adequate level of literacy.

"If they make this decision that percentage could go even thinner and that is a deep concern."

Pakistan insists only Muslim children will be forced to attend.

 
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