700 (The Centre For Social Cohesion)

It is rare to be able to report a really good news story. But just such a story has emerged from Lahore, where a demonstration took place last week. And before you say it, this wasn’t another demonstration including effigies, books, a bottle of paraffin and a box of matches, but rather a rally pressuring the government to move against the radical students in Islamabad who are running ‘a Taleban-style anti-vice campaign’ in Pakistan’s capital.

“Mullahs have ruined our society. They have distorted the image of Islam. We will not accept extremism anymore” declared one brave rights activist to the rally of 700.

The demonstrations followed on from those in Karachi the previous weekend in which protestors rallied against the ‘stick-wielding, burqa-clad women students’ and their like who have been trying to impose hard-line ideas on the people of Pakistan.

At the same time Iran took another step backwards with men and women deemed to be wearing tight or otherwise ‘inappropriate’ clothing being rounded up and taken to a ‘correctional centre’ in Tehran.

Which demonstrates – if demonstration were needed – that the 700 in Lahore and their allies in Karachi should be lauded to the skies. If more people like them, who reject the extremists and refuse to bow to the most violent and intimidating people in their midst, group together and speak out, the future will look a lot brighter a lot faster.

It’s happened in Lahore, and it’s happened in Karachi. How about simultaneous rallies in Tehran and Trafalgar Square, for all those who likewise abhor the extremists and want to reclaim their religion?