This story is from July 3, 2020

Despite decree, Pak Hindus to build temple for Lord Krishna

Despite the fatwa (religious decree) by a Lahore-based prominent Islamic seminary and threats of Muslims fundamentalists against construction of a new Hindu temple in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, the tiny Hindu community has decided to go ahead with its plans. The 20,000 sq ft land plot was given by Pakistan government to the minuscule Hindu community of Islamabad, which decided to built a Sri Krishna Temple there.
Despite decree, Pak Hindus to build temple for Lord Krishna
Ground breaking ceremony of Sri Krishna Temple was held on June 23
AMRITSAR: Despite the fatwa (religious decree) by a Lahore-based prominent Islamic seminary and threats of Muslims fundamentalists against construction of a new Hindu temple in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, the tiny Hindu community has decided to go ahead with its plans. The 20,000 sq ft land plot was given by Pakistan government to the minuscule Hindu community of Islamabad, which decided to built a Sri Krishna Temple there.
While talking to TOI over phone from Islamabad, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Tehreek-e-Insaf’s member national assembly (MNA) Lal Chand Malhi said the construction of a new temple in Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was not only a matter of pride for Hindus of Pakistan or the Hindu community across the globe but was a shining example of freedom to practice one’s religion in the country.

He said a handful of ‘mullahas’ (fundamental Islamic clerics) were opposing the construction but they didn’t have any solid grounds to do so. “There are others who dislike the construction of a Hindu temple for their own reasons, but they are quiet but not opposing,” he said.
According to media reports, the fatwa had been issued by Lahore chapter of seminary Jamia Ashrafia ordering a ban on construction of a new temple but “permitting” the minority community to carry out the repair other houses of worship.
The ground breaking ceremony of Sri Krishna Temple was held on June 23, and the Islamabad Hindu Panchayat had met Imran Khan on June 25, Malhi said.
“The work for the construction of Sri Krishna Temple is going on in full swing and for this purpose,” he added.
There were around 3000 Hindu’s living in Islamabad, the MNA said that the Islamabad Hindu Panchayat had been pursuing the cause of a new Hindu temple since 2017.
He said the Capital Development Authority had in 2017 allotted the plot to the Hindu Panchayat for a temple and crematorium and it took nearly three years in completion of formalities, including approval of site plan, for the construction of a new temple.

He said he had urged Imran Khan to sanction Rs 10 crore. “He immediately sanctioned Rs 10 lakh. If we get financial support from the government, the temple construction will complete soon else it could take some time,” he said.
Malhi said Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri had also assured all kinds of support to the Hindu community for the construction of the temple.
There were two temples in the city, one at Sidhpur and other at Rawal Dam. “Sidhpur Hindu temple-cum-gurdwara has been turned into a tourist place, while Rawal Dam temple is under litigation,” he said.
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