MQM RECOGNISES AND ACKNOWLEDGES ALL THE RELIGIOUS,
LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES AND THEIR RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN
 ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 21 December 2003
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that MQM recognises and acknowledges all the religious, linguistic and cultural identities and their rights in Pakistan with open heart.  He invited all the religious minorities to get united under the banner of MQM to safeguard their rights.  He was addressing a gift distribution ceremony organised by Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) under the auspices of Society for the Unwell and Needy (SUN) in Karachi.  A large number of members from Christian fraternity including elders, women and youth attended the ceremony.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) is the only party in Pakistan, which has emerged from the middleclass and poor masses.  MQM not only acknowledges all the religious, linguistic and cultural identities with an open heart but also consider them equal citizens of Pakistan.  MQM has never discriminated human beings on the basis of religion, language, colour or caste and neither it considers them as second or third class citizens of the country. The MQM is following the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Prophet Jesus and progressing their mission of humanity, love, peace and respect to all.

Mr Hussain said that over the 56 year history of Pakistan, the religious and political parties claimed to consider all the citizens of the country as equal but the religious minorities are witness that whenever the members of Hindu, Christian, Parsi or any other religious minority faced any critical situation or their worship places were under threat, then the tall claims of these religious and political parties were exposed and MQM was the only party of the country which came forward and not only offered their support but also presented the homes of its leaders and workers as refuge to the members of religious minorities. 

Mr Hussain said that after the tragic incident of 9/11 these religious and political parties kept silent over the confrontation orchestrated by the religious fanatics against the religious minorities.  Whereas, MQM was the only party, which explicitly stated that members of the religious minorities and their worship places must not be harmed and each and every member of the MQM is ready to provide proactive support to the religious minorities.

Mr Hussain said that MQM practically serves humanity without discrimination the basis of religion, caste, colour, creed or even language.  He said that distributions of gifts sponsored by SUN under the auspices of KKF, proves that MQM and KKF accepts the rights of religious minorities and recognises them as equal citizens.  He invited the members of religious minorities to consciously decide which party can provide protection and security to their rights and serve them practically. MQM has proved through its actions that it openly accepts the rights of religious minorities; therefore, members of all the religious minorities must step forward and unite under the banner of MQM.  He further said that whether the religious identities support the MQM or not – the MQM will consider them brothers and continue to support all the Christians, Hindus, Parsis and other religious minorities.

Mr Hussain extended Christmas greetings to all the Christian fraternity and paid tributes to the efforts of KKF, its President Sheikh Liaquat Hussain, Trustees and volunteers.