How To Treat Minorities: Pakistanis Should Learn From Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has shown exemplary leadership in the wake of the mosques attack in Christchurch in which more than 50 people were killed.

Not only has she termed the attacker a ‘terrorist and a criminal’, and refused to call his name, she has also stood shoulder-to shoulder to the victim families and assured them of justice and financial assistance. She was also seen wearing a hijab in solidarity with the victim families and is getting praise from all parts of the world for her strong leadership.

This Prime Minister also promised to cover the funeral costs of the 51 Christchurch victims, She assured every family of the victims financial assistance, and wore a hijab in solidarity while honoring the victims.

Her name is Jacinda Ardern.

KNOW HER!

Retweet ❤ pic.twitter.com/ozSjGmPvjk

— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) March 17, 2019

Strong leadership: New Zealand Prime Minister @jacindaardern visits grieving Muslim families, wearing hijab as a sign of respect.

She tells them: You are us. pic.twitter.com/rhglbJyZ36

— Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi) March 16, 2019

Exceptional Leadership At Such A Crucial Time

Jacinda Ardern wearing the hijab while meeting with the Kiwi Muslim community, and immediately putting tighter gun laws in NZ on the table, shows exceptional leadership at such a terrible time. https://t.co/Rid3TLnuCR pic.twitter.com/lyp9SHPECS

— Tama Leaver (@tamaleaver) March 16, 2019

‘She Deserves A Special Tribute’

PM Jacinda Ardern really deserves a special tribute for supporting the Muslim Community of NewZeland. The moment she said ' They are us ' she won the hearts of billions of Muslims. Now her wearing the Hijab while consoling the distressed Muslim families is also worth applauding pic.twitter.com/6CCi9LhU2P

— Nawabzada Jamal Khan Raisani (@SonOfShaheed) March 16, 2019

‘Proved To Be A Great Leader And An Even Greater Human Being’

Jacinda Ardern has proved to be a great leader and even greater human being.
Being a ruler, she chose to don the garb of the aggrieved Muslim community there and demonstrated there is nothing wrong with hijab/ modest clothing.
It was an overpowering gesture. pic.twitter.com/B3dXz0uznl

— Sabena Siddiqi (@sabena_siddiqi) March 19, 2019

Jacinda’s remarkable leadership has had people in Pakistan questioning the country’s leadership and public. Has the country’s leadership or the masses ever shown Ardern-like strength when minorities were attacked, killed or subjected to violence in the country?

‘Did We Even Visit An Imam Bargah Or A Shrine Or Mosque Of Another Sect For That Matter To Show Sympathy?’

Pakistan endured worst wave of terrorism in last decade but did we ever bother to show up at churches or temples heck did we even visit an imam bargah or a shrine or mosque of another sect for that matter to show sympathy?

— Peregrine (@Umeristic) March 16, 2019

‘We’ve A Huge Psychological Disorder, The Insensitivity And Indifference’

You're welcome to call me names but I'm embarrassed to see the kind of support ordinary citizens have shown to Muslims. We never did that. Things happened everywhere. Paris, London, Berlin.
Guess We've a huge psychological disorder, the insensitivity and indifference.

— Mohsin Hijazee (@MohsinHijazee) March 17, 2019

‘When Pakistan Screeches In Hyperbole About Minorities Targeted In Other Lands. But Doesn’t Squeak About Minorities REGULARLY Targeted At Home In Hate And Terror Attacks’

When Pakistan screeches in hyperbole about minorities targeted in other lands. But doesn’t squeak about minorities REGULARLY targeted at home in hate & terror attacks. And no discussion whether this was a terror attack or not. https://t.co/l1uRHDY1QY

— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) March 18, 2019

But Is The Leadership To Blame When There Is A Lack Of Tolerance Among Masses?

In 2017, the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed a Holi gathering and wished Hindus well on occasion. Religious cleric accused him of committing ‘Shirk‘. PPP co-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also been criticized for celebrating Holi in Umerkot.

Previously, ex-PM Benazir Bhutto had to go through the same.

Attacks On Religious Minorities In Pakistan

Earlier this week, a Christian women said she was allegedly abducted by a Mullah who raped her for the first two days and tortured her for 10. She was also forcefully converted to Islam, and has accused police of harassment.

Last month, a Hindu Temple in Umerkot was attacked by unknown assailants who set fire to holy books and scriptures. PM Imran Khan ordered to probe the matter but the miscreants are still at large.

Last year, an angry mob destroyed an Ahmadiyya worship place in Sialkot, but the authorities paid no heed.

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