Minorities have no choice in Pakistan

Intro to ‘Minorities have no choice in Pakistan’

Editor: John R. Houk

Intro typed: September 17, 2014

Shamim writes about Pakistani minorities being persecuted by the majority Sunni Muslims. That persecution is executed with mercilessly robbing, beating, raping, damaging property, damaging Churches, damaging religious centers and artifacts other religious minorities which includes loss of life. Of course Shamim writes from a Christian perspective but he includes other religious minorities because in Pakistan they are the recipients of the same vicious hate as Christians from Sunni Muslims. Shamim insinuates a sense of abandonment from the Western World specifically mentioning Americans and Jews.

As Americans go I have to disagree. American citizens are the largest givers of foreign charity in the world. As to Shamim’s disappointment of Jews providing aid to Pakistani-Christians or any Pakistani-Religious minority for that matter, may rest on one historical fact. Jews have faced thousands of years of persecution being ejected from their homeland twice. In this present age the Muslim world begrudges Jews living on their God-Promised land even that land is extremely miniscule in the 21^st century. Any enlargement of Israeli territory since 1948 has come due to existential wars guided by Muslim nations and Muslim terrorists intent on destroying the Jewish homeland for a third time and executing a Jewish genocide if such an ungodly destruction of Israel occurs. Because of a history of Christian and Muslim degradation of Jews over the last few centuries there is little affinity for Jews to invest in persecuted Christians or other minorities that have expressed antisemitism toward Jews in general. Despite the years of persecution from non-Jews, Jews – particularly American Jews - are remarkable givers to non-Jewish charities. As far as that goes to Pakistan, I have no idea. My first inkling is that Jews are more giving to alleviate natural disasters than to overcome non-Jewish socio-religious issues.

Nevertheless, Shamim is correct to be disappointed. The American media is nearly absent on reporting the plight of Pakistani Christians. The American media would do a great service for American givers if the illegitimate Pakistan Christian leaders (i.e. the corrupt and money grubbing) were exposed while highlighting Pakistani Christian leadership doing actual social and civil rights work among the exploited, abused and often violently murdered poverty stricken Christians.

As such Shamim Masih is one of those legitimate Christian civil rights leaders. There is some donation information for his very dangerous work in an environment in which the hatred of Christians is pervasive at end of Shamim’s report below.

JRH 9/17/14

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Minorities have no choice in Pakistan

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 9/15/2014 9:35 AM

ISLAMABAD: Sitting on the top roof of the four stories building in the capital, a man roared that if you uttered a single word from your mouth I will send you directly into hell. There were four people from three different faiths, Sunni, Shia and a Christian. It can happen only in Pakistan that Sunni Muslims can use rough language about others but they are not ready to listen against themselves, because they are in power. Religion should not be the state’s business; I am sorry, but it’s clear that your religion is not your personal matter. It is the matter for all of us to interfere in, as and when we feel necessary or find a choice.

   

The recent attack on the Sikh community of Peshawar {Times of India] and on an Ahmadi community in Gujranwala [WSJ] has given out a clear message to minorities that Pakistan is not for them. Harjeet Singh, 30, was present in his grocery shop in Nothia Bazar of Peshawar, when two unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fired on him and killed him on the spot [The Nation].

It’s a clear message to all minorities that they don’t have the right to practice their religion or sect nor to run their business for their living. If you did so, you better [be] ready for an army of so called preachers deliberately enforcing a religious polemic argument on you. It makes no difference, how patriotic you feel for Pakistan, you will always stay an American or Zionist agent. Although it is fact, Americans or Jews least bother about Pakistani Christians. The Taliban have already given warnings to the people of Chitral valley (heretics) to either convert to Islam or be ready to die [The Frontier Post & Dawn.com]. A few months back, three Hindu temples were desecrated in Mir Pur Khas district [Central Asia Online &.Pakistan Times] Earlier this year, in Larkana, the heart of Pakistan Peoples Party, a mob looted a Hindu temple before setting it ablaze [Hindu Human Rights & The Hindu]. After the attack on Peshawar Church last year, the Taliban made it quite clear that the attacks were exactly according to Sharia. Religious extremists looted the houses in Joseph Colony [in] Lahore before setting it ablaze. Asia Bibi, Sawan Masih and [the] Christian couple (Shagufta Bibi and Shafqat Emmanuel) in Gojra are sentenced to death. And all it started with Christians allegedly framed in a blasphemy case [For Pakistan].

[Imran Khan]

The killing of [a] Christian family in Gojra including small kids and burning the 100 years old church in Mardan were some chilling events that can’t be forgotten. Even, the sizable Shia community faces the same fate as other minorities do. Shias are killed on regular basis in the country. People are pulled down from the buses, identified and they are mercilessly massacred.

It’s again pathetic when we see that neither Pakistani Christian organizations like CLAAS and so on nor the international community step forward to protect Christian rights. Some so called social activists are active for their vested interests in the name of protecting Pakistani Christians.  Sorry to say, but this is not a country for minorities, you better leave. But how come, it is possible [for] neither European nor other Christian countries to welcome Pakistani Christians? We are left here to suffer and suffer no bright future for children [due to the] stiff environment around.  

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

_____________________________

Edited by John R. Houk

All text or links enclosed by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Special Correspondents

Daily Khabrian (PakBiz.com description) & Channel - 5

Human Rights Activist

Snapshot of Human Rights Activism from 2011

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

Secretary General of Information

Pakistan Christian Congress

Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:

Editor: For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

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

Top of Form

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

Bad to Worse to Very Much Worse

Shamim provides a bit of an update pertaining to a marriage in Pakistan that is quite controversial between Asim Saleem (a Christian young man age 22) and a Muslim girl identified only as Sunair (age 20). Also paints a word picture of the plight of non-Muslim and non-Sunni Muslims that includes poverty, discrimination. Blasphemy Law frame-ups, overall oppression and exploitation. The Pakistan minority religious persuasions mentioned are Christians (Here, Here, Here and Here), Hindus, Shi’ites and Ahmadis.

JRH 2/23/14

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Bad to Worse to Very Much Worse

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 2/20/2014 9:20 PM

ISLAMABAD: Targeting religious minorities in Pakistan will remain a sore spot in the Asia. Pakistan, 96 percent Muslim is one of the most hostile nations for religious minorities. All religious minorities in Pakistan, not just Christians face discriminatory laws, forced conversions, and bombs and shootings aimed at minority-sect Muslims, such as Shiites, Hindus and Ahmadis. Pakistan was among the top five overall for restrictions on religion, singling out its anti-blasphemy laws as a prime example, says Pew Research Center. The report found that violations reached unprecedented levels because of growing incidents of sectarian violence against religious minorities including Shiites. The government also failed to protect Christians, Ahmadis and Hindus, it said. Pakistani courts frequently use blasphemy laws to give death or lifetime-jail sentences to minorities accused of insulting Islam. The government continues to engage in and tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief.

In the country it is typical to kidnap Christian girls to force conversion to Islam then forcibly force the girl to marry a Muslim. And the courts protect it as well. On the other hand if a Muslim girl willingly and voluntarily decides to marry a Christian man in many cases it is illegal and in all cases Islamic rabble rousing will most likely occur to reclaim the Muslim girl to her family. I published a report about a Christian boy, who took a bold step to cross-faith marriage a dangerous ambition in Faisalabad. But Muslim leadership warned the local Christians to produce the couple otherwise they will set ablaze their houses.

It is a common practice that minority’s girls are abducted and forcefully married to Muslims. But now things have gone from bad to worse to very much worse. Though the constitution guarantees freedom of religion in papers but there are reports of forced conversions to Islam, kidnappings of non-Muslims, job discrimination, persecution at job places, blasphemy arrests and razing of minority houses and worship places remain commonplace.

In the recent [of the Christian boy and Muslim girl], reportedly, the married couple was recovered and [the Muslim] religious leaders of the area forced Christian elders [with the ultimatum] that if both (boy with girl) remain and practice Islam, they will spare them. Otherwise, [be] ready to face hardships; so the boy [was] forcibly converted to Islam. Apparently the girl had willingly agreed to live [with the] Christian boy in a peaceful manner. [In the mean] while the hardline jihadists in Pakistan have threatened the couple with death if he lives with the girl or even leaves her. This is a worse situation in the country that not only girls are forcibly converted to Islam but now boys need to convert and practice Islam. The major example of this case is Pakistani cricketer Yousaf Yohana [a Christian converting to Islam under suspicious circumstances], who turned [his name] to Mohammad Yousaf and [began] practicing Islam [Muslim article on situation dated 4/23/09].

Religious minorities; especially Christians are often stuck on the lower rung of the economy, often working as servants, sweepers and day laborers. So they normally don’t want to go into the courts due to the lack of resources and protection. In spite of this bleak outlook, minority leaders are not speaking internationally in the media but [are leaving that to] the human rights organizations. The world is turning to interfaith harmony for a more tolerant Pakistan, they argue, [that] would translate into another goal for many. 

___________________________

Edited by John R. Houk

Everything enclosed in brackets are by the Editor.

Shamim Masih provided the resource links except where bracketed.

© Shamim Masih

Special Correspondents

Daily Khabrian (PakBiz.com description) & Channel - 5

Human Rights Activist

Snapshot of Human Rights Activism from 2011

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

Secretary General 

REAP

Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:

Editor: For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending to a Western Union agent in Islamabad.

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

Top of Form

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