Man of Letter and Spirit

Shamim Masih writes of how Pakistani-Christians of means too often forsake the needs of Pakistani-Christians in abject poverty. Shamim then proceeds with a glimmer of hope in the person of Tahir Naveed Chaudhry (Shamim and others abbreviate the last name as “Ch.”) who has formed a Political Party that aims to be a voice of minorities (not just Christians) that are overwhelmed with discrimination by Pakistan’s Sunni majority.

According to the sources, Tahir Chaudhry has launched a political party with the name, Pakistan Minorities Alliance (PMA) aims to protect Christians’ rights in the country. Talking to the media at the launching ceremony he said that minorities in the country are being targeted frequently during the past decades. I am devoted to serve my community and have spared my life to protect their rights, he said. (PMA launched to protect Christians’ rights in Pakistan; by admin; South Asian Minority News – SAM News; 8/13/13)

JRH 9/3/13

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Man of Letter and Spirit

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 8/31/13 9:47 AM

ISLAMABAD: Life of the slum settlers is perhaps the most heart-wrenching thing that I have ever encountered…… I have had the privilege of traveling to many places, but in all of visits, I have never encountered poverty like this – streets flowing with open sewage, garbage rotting everywhere. I know that this is where Jesus would be if He were here right now. If we are not willing to be here, too, then perhaps something is wrong with us. Perhaps we have grown callus to what Christ has done for us - to the call to dedicate our lives to serving Him and “Going into the entire world to share the Good News!” let’s forget about ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand to other marginalized community.

I usually write and try to be the voice of the people who face persecution by any means. And some [for] time people facing violation ask for some help which is beyond my control. I have to say sorry as I am not [in] this position to do so. Frankly speaking; I am one of those who need support. Anyway, for some time I requested some human rights champions for [times such as] this, sometimes they [make] promises which they do not even fulfill. In the past month, two young Christian girls from the slum area of the capital [were] accused of a theft case in a beauty parlor. Unfortunately human rights champion Joseph Francis (CLAAS) said when asked to provide them legal assistance, this doesn’t come in our policy. I have been not [able] to understand [what] is important in their policy [pertaining to] a life of common Christians in their [donors] name that Joseph Francis is getting funds. Should I ask the policy makers therein, whether the blasphemy accused [that] come under persecution [are a part of the policy funding]? I don’t know about the donors’ agencies policy, what are the criteria they have derived for it? The families were being helped out by one of my Muslim colleagues. He smashes on the Christians [NGO] organizations who always claim [such advocacy for the persecuted].

  

As every Pakistani knows damn well, Christians are among the most downtrodden and vulnerable people in Pakistan, especially since the passage of the despicable blasphemy law during the Zia ul Haq dictatorship. The moral and political health of any society is expressed in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.

In spite of this critical situation a man who lends his hand to the entire minorities, especially Christians [is Tahir Naveed Chaudhry]. I still love Pakistan, despite everything. That should not be surprising; I also love my own country, and my friends and family, despite their faults, as I trust them to love me despite mine, says Tahir Naveed Ch.

Yes! He is man who accepts this challenging role in this society. Yes, he is the man, who has been Rimsha’s attorney during the time when she was [not known much by the world]. [Rimsha was] a minor Christian girl accused of a blasphemy case in Islamabad (the capital). Yes, he is the man, who not only struggled for her freedom but protected her during her case trial.

It was a day on August 11, 2013, when he has taken an initiative to launch his political party at his home place Sarghoda Dist. There were more than 300 participants there, listening carefully to his future plan. Let’s see and pray for how long he could be able to prove himself [to be] a man of letter and spirit. 

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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Edited by John R. Houk

Brackets indicate literary license by the Editor

© Shamim Masih

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