The Quandary of Faith and Politics of Islamization: An Incursion into Experiences and Perspectives of Pakistani Christian Minority

Abstract

Abstract The state of minorities in Pakistan has been the subject of much debate and controversy since the country’s conception in 1947. Although Christians played a pivotal role in the Pakistan Movement, the state-sponsored Islamization and exploitation of Blasphemy Laws created a precarious situation for Pakistan’s religious minorities. This article explores the perceptions of the Christian minority on the Islamization of the state asking how it has been affecting their life course. Qualitative research methods involving in-depth interviews and case studies explore the lived experiences of the Christian minority in Wah Cantonment city, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling techniques, 33 Christian respondents (16 males, 17 females) and eight senior Christian High Court lawyers (four males, four females) were interviewed. Based on empirical evidence, this article demonstrates that Islamic majoritarianism and lack of pluralist vision impedes minorities’ freedom in Pakistan, creating issues of safety, legal abuse and discrimination in their own homeland.