
By Manal Abdel Fattah
Pakistan condemned the establishment and construction of a “Ram Temple” on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque in the Indian city of Ayodhya.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Al-Fajr, that the centuries-old mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992 by a crowd of extremists, and it is unfortunate that the highest judiciary in India did not only acquit the criminals responsible for this despicable act, It also allowed the construction of a temple on the site of the demolished mosque.
She added that the developments witnessed in the past 31 years, which led to today’s dedication ceremony, indicate the increasing trend of Hinduism, “that is, making India Hindu,” and its spread is an important aspect of the ongoing efforts to socially, economically, and politically marginalize Indian Muslims.
She pointed out that the construction of the temple on the site of the demolished mosque will remain a disgrace to democracy in India.
It is worth noting that a growing list of mosques, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura, are facing a similar threat of desecration and destruction.
She added: The rising tide of “Hindaka” ideology in the country poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace. The prime ministers of two major Indian states, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, have said that they consider the demolition of the Babri Mosque or the opening of the “Ram Temple” a first step towards restoring parts of Pakistan.
She continued: The international community should take into account the increase in Islamophobic speech and crimes in India, and the United Nations and other relevant international organizations should play their role in saving Islamic heritage sites in India from extremist groups and ensuring the protection of the religious and cultural rights of minorities in India.
It concluded: Pakistan urges the Government of India to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities, including Muslims and their holy places.