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Imam of Delhi condemns attacks on Christians

Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the naib imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, has condemned the wave of atrocities on Christians. He called upon the secular forces to maintain communal harmony and preserve the centuries-old concept of unity in diversity in the country.

In his speech delivered before the Friday prayers at the masjid, the naib imam charged the Centre with remaining a ''mere spectator'' to the brutal killing of Graham Stains and his sons.

''It is an open secret that such elements are being encouraged after the BJP came to power,'' he said.

Later a procession was organised by the Jama Masjid Consultative Council. Before it started towards the prime minister's residence, a meeting was held and the arch bishop of Delhi and other religious and political leaders addressed the gathering.

In a memorandum to the prime minister, the council said the attacks were destroying the cultural fabric, unity and integrity of the nation and the very existence of its secular character.

The memorandum demanded three things: that the culprits are given severe punishment, the life and property of the minorities protected, and an all-party committee appointed to inquire into the recent attacks.

UNI

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