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Pakistan announces “Islamization” of media and education

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In a move which Pakistani Christians have described as “Islamization,” the government of Pakistan announced earlier this month a new policy to ensure that the country’s media and education system align with Islamic values, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

The even deeper Islamification of Pakistan may intensify the ongoing persecution of Christians in the country as Pakistan already ranks eighth on the US Open Doors Watch List 2022 of the top 50 countries where believers are persecuted.

Under the new policy, the National Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority will monitor media and the education system to ensure they operate according to Islamic religious, moral, and ethical values, ICC said.

Formerly a renowned international cricketer with strong ties to the United Kingdom, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a statement that the move is “a journey of transformation towards morality and ethics” that could help to combat Islamophobia, ICC reports.

However, local Christians believe the new policy is evidence of Pakistani “Islamization” that will result in greater persecution for believers in the country.

“Instead of promoting one religion, the premier should address structural issues of extremism, inflation, poverty, economic disparities, and increasing class differences,” a lay Christian leader said in a media statement.

“We demand an alternative ‘love to all’ or ‘love your neighbor’ authority,” the Christian leader said.

“This National Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority will force the values of Islam on the religious minorities living in the country which will surely lead to harsher persecution.”