When others bring a post submission to this blog I like to
investigate the assertions made therein. In this particular submission from
Shamim Mahmood I had a difficult search to verify the news Shamim has
submitted. Since I have complete trust in Shamim’s journalistic endeavors based
on verifiable past submissions, I have no qualms of its veracity. My difficulty
could be simply the wrong search questions or the only sources are in Urdu or
Pashtun of which neither do I speak.
So I feel the need to digress a bit. Shamim Mahmood usually
signs his submissions as “Shamim Masih”. As a confused Westerner I asked Shamim
to clear this up for me. And he did so. But I deleted the email response before
I had the forethought to write it down. Thus I Googled the name “Masih”. Here
are a few quotes from that search on the name “Masih”:
Arabic name meaning "Christian". a common surname among
Christians in Pakistan. (From Behind the
Name: Surname MASIH)
Many Christians in South Asia use
the name “Masih,” which means “Messiah” in Arabic. “Bibi” is an Urdu term
meaning “Miss.” (From CNS article, “Death
Sentence in Pakistan Spotlights Blasphemy Laws As U.N. Votes on ‘Defamation’”)
This is an Arabic name only used by Christians, from the Arabic Abd 'servant', al- 'of',
and Masih 'messiah/Christ', meaning "servant of the Messiah",
corresponding to the Greek given name Christodoulos.
It was borne by a ninth-century martyr who was executed for reverting to
Christianity after having converted to Islam. It is fairly common among
Christian Arabs to this day. (From Behind
the Name: Given Name
ABDALMASSIH)
Masih, meaning “messiah”, is a very common
name among Pakistan’s Christians (From Religious Freedom Coalition: Christians
Face Increasing Persecution In Pakistan – An Alleged Ally Of The U.S.)
Shamim’s submission
pertains to the attempts by Christian ministries and charities to create the
environment by which the oppressed Pakistani Christians can learn vocational
and technical trades to better the lot living in Islamic Pakistan. I use the
word “attempt” because the Taliban have used all means of Islamic terrorism to
thwart Pakistani Christians from bettering themselves.
See Also: Islamabad:
A technical training center for Christians faces threats from Taliban; By Madeeha Bakhsh; ChristianPakistan.com;
5/2/16)
The best way to SUPPORT Shamim’s Christian advocacy in
Pakistan is via Western Union sending money with this LINK to a
Western Union agent in Islamabad. Shamim’s email is shamimpakistan@gmail.com,
Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560
JRH 5/6/16
[If you designate my paypal donation for Shamim up to $25, I will send it to Shamim via Western Union]
*******************
Vocational Institute
for Christian community under threat in the Capital
By Shamim Mahmood
[aka Masih]
Sent: 5/1/2016 4:35
AM
ISLAMABAD: A Vocational
Institute for the Christian community is under threat right under the nose of
Interior Ministry in the Capital. According to the details poverty alleviation
through a skill program was developed by “Pakistan
Development Foundation” (PDF) and launched in 2007 with the self-generated
funds in the Federal Capital. Students were registered and trained there and it
had become popular in the community. Nadeem Gill, Executive Director (PDF) said
that it was running smoothly but some people Umar Afridi, Zabita Khan &
Javed Payra from the Khaber Pakhton Khawa (KPK) joined us for the community
service. But they had bad intentions which later was revealed. Sadly, one of
them from the Christian community either was deceived or by his own will turned
against us. Subsequently this group threatened us and captured the institution
in 2009. Mr. Gill told that he has no choice but turn to the courts. After the
years’ struggle in litigation; PDF won the case and had taken charge of the
institution in 2015, he added.
Basharat Khokher, coordinator at All Church Council,
Islamabad said that PDF purchased 12 Kenals [also kanal] of land and its twelfth
portion was developed for the skill training center. We had threats from
Taliban split organizations and later they came in through different ways. But
we have struggled hard and our fellow Muslim brother Saqib Ali and others
helped us a lot in acquiring the land from the Taliban group. Finally, we were
able to release the institution from the said group. Saqib Ali shared his
experience and said that we have been living with the Christian community for
years and we have developed good relations and in a favor to create better
interaction/harmony. Though we still have threats from the Taliban group but we
believe that victory is ours. Ms. Samina, the instructor at PDF was happy and
said it is the grace of God that PDF won the case and now we can register new
girls for the training. Skill Enhancement
and Educational Program (SEEP) is our new program and very soon we will
launch it, she added.
In the recent years, attacks on worship places and religious
minorities have increased though Pakistan Islamic persecution of Christians may
not be on the level of ISIS; nonetheless it is still quite horrific. The long
sufferings in the country have worsened by a sense of deprivation among the
locals, and an inclusive political system is unable to achieve sustainable
peace and stability.
[The best way to SUPPORT
Shamim’s Christian advocacy in Pakistan is via Western Union sending money with this LINK to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Shamim’s email is shamimpakistan@gmail.com, Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560]
Be Blessed,
Shamim Mahmood (aka Masih)
+92-300-642-4560
___________________________
Edited by John R. Houk
Text enclosed by brackets is by the Editor. All links by
the Editor.
© Shamim Mahmood
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