Federal Minister for Interfaith Harmony Paul Bhatti  – File photo by AFP
Federal Minister for Interfaith Harmony Paul Bhatti – File photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interfaith Harmony Paul Bhatti, on Saturday, slammed the anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims,” saying that it has disrupted world peace, and the issue must be brought up in the United Nations, according to DawnNews.

Speaking at a joint press conference along with the Naib Imam of the Lal Masjid Amir Siddique, Bhatti said, “We stand in support of the Muslim world.”

The federal minister reiterated his stance on inter-faith harmony, saying that if people of all religious beliefs stand together, such acts of violence can be prevented. He said that the blasphemous movie had hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims throughout the world.

He asked the Secretary General of United Nations to condemn the film and introduce a charter to stop such elements, playing with the religious sentiments of the people in the cover of freedom of speech, insulting sacred and religious beliefs of the people. “We will not allow anyone to disgrace and insult any religion and belief in the guise of freedom of expression.”

The Naib Imam of Lal Masjid Amir Siddique, meanwhile, said that he backs inter-religion peace and harmony in the country. “A limit must be set on the freedom of speech in the world,” Siddique said.

Bhatti also discussed the security threats faced by Christian girl Rimsha Masih, who was released last week on bail after being charged with blasphemy.

“A security official arranged for Rimsha’s interview with the CNN and we will lodge a police complaint (FIR) against that official,” Bhatti said. He also blamed the US-based television channel of brining the teenage girl under security threat and said that discussions are underway to issue a notice against the channel.

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