Minorities
From Pakistan
Contents |
[edit] Overview
A country of about 150 million people (See Population), Pakistan has both religious and ethnic minorities, as well as other categories of citizens that might need attention, such as Women, Homosexuals, etc.
[edit] Resources
- Article in PakistanLink out of California: http://www.pakistanlink.com/Community/2005/Feb05/24/01.htm
[edit] Religious minorities
[edit] Christian
The Church of Pakistan is a member of the Anglican Communion. The Roman Catholic Church also maintains churches and some of the best schools in Pakistan.
(See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholicism_in_Pakistan)
[edit] Hindu
Sindh had a large Hindu population before independence, and they remain a presence in the province. [Of course, Sindhi Hindus are also a major presence in India--for example, in the business sector with names such as Godrej, Ambani, and others being big in that country.
There are many sites of great religious, historical, and/or mythological importance in the North part of Pakistan.
[edit] Jewish
- See Op Ed by Prof. Adil Najam at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_16-9-2005_pg3_3
[edit] Sikh
The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, was born in what is now Pakistan at Nankana Sahib. Guru Nanak was respected by both the Muslims and Hindus. When Guru Nanak passed away, the local Muslims wanted to bury the Guru's body while the Hindus wanted to cremate. Both sections of the community played a part the Guru's final rites.
To quote the SikhiWiki,
- "Historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan are an essential part of Sikhism and form an important part of the history of Sikhism. The Punjab was only divided in 1947 when the separate nations of India and Pakistan were formed. Prior to this period, the whole of the area covered by the two countries was one nation.
- "A significant part of the Sikh history is linked to places that are now in Pakistan."
See the article in that Wiki on Gurdwaras of Pakistan for a brief list of the important places of Sikh history that are in Pakistan.
[edit] Parsis
A very small minority numbering fewer than five thousand. See Wikipedia:Parsi.
[edit] Ethnic minorities
[edit] Parsis
(See above)
