Intro to ‘Minorities Rights Journalist attacked in
Pakistan’
Edited by John R. Houk
By Shamim Mahmood
Shamim Mahmood (Masih) is a frequent contributor to this
blog reporting on the Islamic Supremacist persecution of Christians in
Pakistan. The plight of Christians in Muslim dominated areas of the world tend
to get more publicity of Egyptian Muslims persecuting Egyptian Coptic
Christians and the mega-brutality of Daesh (ISIS) murdering or enslaving
Christians in the Syria/Iraq part of the Muslim world. Yet, Pakistan brutalizes
Christians on a near state sanctioned level with the Blasphemy Law is often
used as a method of Muslim/Christian retribution more than a blasphemy (according
to Sharia Not Free Speech) actually occurring.
Knowing that Shamim’s journalism takes place in a hostile
situation, I often post his requests for support from Western sources. To those
of you that use Pay Pal for such contributions, it will not work in Pakistan.
You will have to use a direct money transfer from your bank to Shamim’s bank.
The least expensive method I have found is using Western Union for a wire
transfer of money. Western Union will exchange your nation’s currency into Pakistani Rupees for you.
Here is the standard info that I share with readers that
links to Western Union with Shamim’s info for the wire transfer:
SUPPORT Shamim’s Christian
advocacy in Pakistan. First contact Shamim in case he
has found an easy way to donate. I like to use Western Union sending money with
this LINK to the destination of
Islamabad (Contact Shamim in case he
has changed cities). Shamim’s email is shamimpakistan@gmail.com,
Western Union may ask for Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560
Shamim’s submission below brings to reality the danger he
faces as a Human Rights Activist and Christian journalist in Pakistan. If my
meager efforts failed to interest you in being a supporter of Shamim Mahmood (Masih)
at least consider a one-time contribution and share Shamim’s need with your
friends and family.
JRH 7/26/17
*****************
Minorities Rights Journalist attacked in Pakistan
By Shamim Mahmood
Sent 7/26/2017 5:21 AM
Shamim
Mahmood (Masih)
Dear Friends, Greetings, I hope this email will find you in
your best health and spirit. I am writing this email with a heavy heart and in an
alarming situation prevailing around. I hope many of you may be aware of that
since 2010, I am working as a journalist and as long as I fulfill my official
responsibilities, I’ve been writing on persecution and minorities’ rights in
Pakistan. Especially after Gojra incident, when eight
Christian family members were burnt alive including two children and dozens of
the houses were set ablaze on blasphemy allegation. Since then I devotedly
writing against unlawful killings of the Christians especially in the Punjab
province and persecutions.
Living in Pakistan as member from the minority segment, is
too hard and it became more difficult when you raise voice for your rights. But
living in the same society I keep writing on and facing problems on a routine
basis. Now this episode of attack has shaken me and my family. Let me tell you
the story.
On Saturday late evening, when I was travelling towards my
house in my car, unknown assailants opened fire on me that hit the car. The
bullets hit my car but I managed to escape. Earlier I was being beaten for
writing on minorities issues after Youhanabad twin Churches bomb
attack in 2015, by two unknown motorcyclist as a result my left arm was
fractured and motorbike damaged.
It was about 2130 hours, on July 22, when I was on the way
back to my home on my car Suzuki Bleno, while driving the nearby street to my
house, I noticed that something hit hard on car, I was shocked and scared and
managed to escape. On reaching the house, I found the dent of bullet fired on
the car”. “I was as scared as it was first time that somebody attacked me and
soon after parking the car and went inside the house. Next morning, I took one
of my colleagues and a relative with me visit the nearby police station and
filed an application narrating the whole episode. But no FIR was registered, he
added.
Suzuki
Bleno and close-up of bullet dent
After writing a story “Qadri Supporters have becomepolitical power, claimed Sheikh Rasheed” [Link provided by Shamim. Updated 7/27/17] I received threatening phone
calls. But thought of usual matter as it is routine matter for me receiving
such type of phone calls for writing on minorities’ issues and rights as
Pakistani citizen.
It is pertinent to mention here that it is not the first
threat as journalist I am facing. There are number of threatening phone calls
and even harsh words exchanged with some religious extremists which has become a
routine matter for writing on rights of the minorities, especially Christians.
But the latest episode is unique which made my whole family worried as my wife
is asking me to leave this profession, which I cannot at any cost. Though this
incident has put me and my family under constant threat but I believe that God
wants me to write for His people even if under stress and strain. God will take
care of it.
I know that my credibility and objectivity rest on my
ability to be proactive in highlighting issues revolving religion and
victimization of religious minorities. What has alarmed us is the fact
that authorities do not extend any help or support.
After this incident, I planned to shift my rented house as
the landlord advised me to evacuate the house. Since I am paying Rs. 21000/month
in house rent, to hire a new house requires to pay at least three months
advance and some other shifting expenses required to settle down at new place.
At the same time, I need to look for a new school for my children studying in
Grade 10, grade 6 and grade 2. My oldest son has recently passed his Secondary
School Examination and is looking for college admission.
I am poor but passionate Christian journalist and hardly
making the both ends meet, it would be hard to meet the expenses required. In
this situation, if any of you can support me to shift to another house and
schooling of my children. I would be highly grateful to your contribution.
The total cost required is approximately $2000/ U.S.,
including shifting and schooling of the children. If you would like to
contribute please note down the bank details or you can send your contribution
through Western Union.
SUPPORT Shamim’s Christian
advocacy in Pakistan. First contact Shamim in case he
has found an easy way to donate. I like to use Western Union sending money with
this LINK to the destination of
Islamabad (Contact Shamim in case he
has changed cities). Shamim’s email is shamimpakistan@gmail.com,
Western Union may ask for Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560
Bank-to-Bank Money Transfer
Account Name: SHAMIM MASIH,
Account Number: PK72ABPA0010025935800015
ABPAPKKA (Swift code)
Allied Bank Ltd. Sitara Market,
Sector G-7 Markaz, Islamabad
Contact Number. +92 300 642 4560
Yours in Jesus,
Shamim Masih
_________________
Edited by John R. Houk
All source links are by the Editor
© Shamim Mahmood (Masih)
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