Don’t play with Pakistani Christians

Photos of dead Pakistani-Christians from All Saints Church Massacre

Shamim Masih writes of the All Saints Church Massacre of Peshawar Pakistan by two homicidal suicide Islamic terrorists associated with the Taliban. Shamim anguishes over the lack of support for the slaughtered victims and the failed promises of the Pakistan government.

JRH 10/14/13

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Don’t play with Pakistani Christians

All Saints Church Peshawar

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 10/12/2013 10:28 PM

ISLAMABAD: As results of the explosions in All Saints Church Peshawar about 126 Christian’s worshipers were killed and more than 160 were wounded. The assailants were Jihadist suicide bombers linked to the Taliban. This was not the first attack on the Christian community in Pakistan nor do we believe that this is a complete list of the victims, but it should be more than enough to alarm the world, especially I would have thought the Christian world. But, alas, with a few notable exceptions there has been an uncomfortable and disappointing local media silence and international civilized champions.

Malala Yousaf Zai, 16, was gunned down last year at her school after angering the Taliban with her courageous and outspoken pleas for girls to be educated. But what about the sacrifices of Sunday school teachers and Sunday school students at All Saints Church, Peshawar? As a Christian Journalist and humanitarian, I find this silence unfathomable. The attack on the church was an act of cowardly violence that brutally targeted innocent Christians. And now she got international fame and honor and million dollars have been added in her fund. My heart bleeds with pain and agony, in what I view as the most atrocious form of suicidal killing attempts. It is [our] country’s responsibility to protect its citizens and tackle the growing militancy and extremism. I have been raising Christian’s voice since Gojra attack on Christians. It is the height of hypocrisy for our Muslim leadership to criticize the Western world for perceived injustice, while they allow the discrimination and slaughter of Christians in their own lands, if a mosque can be built in Paris, surely a church should not be banned in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I went to Peshawar as soon as I heard the news and arrived only hours after the incident. On my arrival I found human body pieces hanging on trees in the church courtyard and other gory remains. A full account can found here:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/report-on-twin-suicide-attack-on-church.html

On October 6, 2013, I returned again as per instructions of Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistan Christian Association – BPCA, to chart progress and see how we could provide aid to help the victims. [A] Major portion of the Christians in Pakistan are sanitary workers and laborers working under extremely unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Some work as teachers, nurses, and very few hold higher ranking positions.

According to Bishop Humphrey the local government promised to pay five hundred thousand Pakistani Rupees to the dead victims’ families and two hundred thousand to any victims with severe injury. Since I am writing [this] he [Bishop Humphrey] confirmed that nothing has been received so far.

The two visits have been immensely difficult, I have seen victims with fractured bones and holes puncturing bodies of others, where ball bearings had been included in the incendiary device. I have seen numerous burn injuries of differing degrees and limbs missing from many victims. Some victims have large swelling of their whole body due to the high pressure of the bomb explosives and numerous internal injuries.

Many of the injured now purchase their medicines from the local bazaar without any financial assistance. Many of the medicines are incorrect or simply black market products not worthy of the label medicine. Hospital management teams have discharged those still suffering despite the dire need for continued professional medical assistance.

The critically injured victims require urgent medical care and need to be maintained in a professional hospital. There are orphaned children who are now being cared for by their relatives. These relatives cannot continue to provide for the extra mouths without assistance for any long term. The sad truth is as good intentioned as these family members are now, when push comes to shove they can barely fend for themselves. I am afraid these children will become long term victims forced to work as their school fees will not be affordable, they will certainly not attain any higher education without parental support. Already some children have been put to work and it is hard to ascertain whether or not they were working or studying before this incident.

I have observed there some seasonal human rights workers have installed their shops on the name of caring victims. I saw a brother and his sister in the Mission hospital, Peshawar pretending, helping injured, the same guy was seen in front of the church gate, showing himself as a good Christian social worker. But actually these types of people are black sheep in our society and have hard-pressed me to show their real face to the world. I am working on a documentary and will bring the real face of these land grabbers and money makers in the name of helping Pakistani Christians.

I never asked for money on the name of poor Pakistani Christians, whatever I do I always try to be blatant. I am not a holy angel but try to present reality. Off course I intend to pay the school fees for children who have lost their main breadwinner, will pay for artificial limbs as necessary and will support families who opt to care for relatives’ children financially and with advice. Yes I will continue this work and seek to place those who are critically ill back in hospital. Your donation will be used to provide food to victims who have lost their main household earner and will be provide advice on rehabilitation, Christian orphanages and counseling as necessary. I will be working with Bishop Humphrey Sarfraz Peter to secure the compensation due to victims. If you would like to donate to relief work the bank details are as follow:

Bank info updated 10/16/13

IBAN code: PK72ABPA

Account number: 05820010025935800015 

Bank: Allied Bank limited Pakistan

Alternatively account details are given below. With your support I hope to change the lives of millions of Christians in Pakistan.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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Edited by John R. Houk

Brackets Indicate Editor Additions

© Shamim Masih

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Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:

FOR USD TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, NEW YORK
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQUS33
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         70008227
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527

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IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227


FOR GBP TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         00010855
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227



FOR EURO TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         10847
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227 Bottom of Form