May 2018 Church & State Magazine - May 2018

Around The World: Pakistan May Require Disclosure Of Religion

  Rokia Hassanein

A new ruling from a Pakistani high court is requiring citizens to disclose their religious beliefs when applying for civil service, a move that many critics say is an attack on religious minorities.

The March 9 Islamabad High Court ruling also includes a declaration that all Muslim candidates in civil service, regardless of religiosity, are required to swear that Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet of God.

Ejaz Mall, a Christian civil servant, told Religion News Service that this ruling has spread fear among religious minority communities in Pakistan, which is a Muslim-majority country.

“Already it is difficult for us as minorities to retain our government jobs. With this court judgment, we can forget whatever normalcy we had in our lives,” Mall said. “Many people will face socioeconomic exclusion if the order is implemented.”

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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