ON THE BIRTHDAY OF QUAID-E-AZAM WE SHOULD PLEDGE TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 25 December 2003
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has extended felicitations to the people of Pakistan on the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.  He said that from the very beginning Quaid-e-Azam preached for religious tolerance.  He further said that the Quaid-e-Azam also announced soon after the creation of Pakistan that everyone will be free to live in Pakistan according to his or her religious faith and belief. Unfortunately, contrary to his teachings, religious extremism was proliferated, thus damaging Pakistan’s image internationally.  Mr Hussain said that we should pledge to promote religious tolerance instead of religious extremism.  Based on the principle of live and let live, provide freedom for everyone to live their lives according to their religions.  Also to provide equal rights to all Pakistanis irrespective of the cast, colour, creed, language, nationality and even religion – because this is the need of the hour.