1st Edition
Christian Citizens in an Islamic State The Pakistan Experience
Christian Citizens in an Islamic State deals with the important question of inter-faith relations in Pakistan, a vital region of the Islamic world which has been the scene of the rise of both Islamic militancy and partnership with the West in counter-terrorism measures. Christians are the most important religious minority of Pakistan and their status and experience is a test case of the treatment of religious minorities in an Islamic state. This book covers new ground in exploring the various factors that govern the relations between Muslims and Christians in a nation state which has been politically unstable in the past, and where the imposition of Islamic law has been controversial and problematic for religious minorities. Theodore Gabriel clarifies the history of Christian-Muslim relations in the region, explores the rise of Islamic militancy, and draws on personal interviews to determine the mind set of both Christians and Muslims in Pakistan today.
Biography
Theodore Gabriel is Honorary Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Gloucestershire, UK.
'Theodore Gabriel has provided an insightful and timely analysis of the relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Pakistan, a country which has seen the implementation of the Shari’a as national law and sporadic uprisings against the Christian community. This thoughtful book should be required reading for any seeking to understand the position and status of Christians in an Islamic state and the attitudes of its political leaders to the Christian community, as well as the views of Christians and Muslims on contemporary international conflict.' Christopher Partridge, University of Lancaster, UK ’... a sobering account of how the extensive Islamization of political life affects religious minorities in Pakistan.’Religion Watch ’This text should without a doubt form mandatory reading for all those who seek to understand the position and status of Christians in a major Islamic state today. It is also a remarkably relevant tool for advocacy in asylum cases.’ Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law ’This timely and thorough study of inter-faith relations in contemporary Pakistan is a valuable casebook in the study of the effects of "Islamicisation"... This slim book will provide valuable reading and information for all persons interested in Pakistan or in Muslim-Christian relations in general.’ Missiology
