Date:22/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112223101300.htm

International

Musharraf visits Shiva temple in Karachi

Nirupama Subramanian

Says Hinduism is integral part of Pakistan culture and geographical history

ISLAMABAD : President Pervez Musharraf made an uncommon gesture to the Hindu community in Pakistan with a visit to a Shiva temple in the Clifton area of Karachi.

President Musharraf, who is in the southern Pakistan city for the International Defence Expo and Seminar, was received at the temple by one of its caretakers and a prominent member of Karachi's Hindu community, Suresh Kumar Manjani.

Pakistan TV reported the President saying that places of worship of all religions including Hinduism were an integral part of the culture of Pakistan and its geographical history. Maintaining such properties in good condition is a government priority in order to turn them into sites of bonding between religions.

Ramesh Kumar, a member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) said the the President's visit would be welcomed by all Hindus in Pakistan, especially by those of the Karachi and Sindh province.

Karachi has about 1.5 lakh Hindus. The majority of Pakistan's Hindus live in Sindh province.

"It's a matter of great joy for us. President Musharraf has shown he's a broad-minded and positive-thinking person, and that he cares about minorities," Mr. Kumar told The Hindu from Karachi.

The MPA said Hindus were generally more comfortable with the present regime than with previous governments because of President Musharraf's commitment to "enlightened moderation".

But certain issues remained of concern to the community such as the upkeep and maintenance of its temples, and "forced conversions" of teenaged Hindu girls to Islam through runaway marriages.

"The President can help us more with an anti-conversion law," Mr. Kumar said.