18 Christians booked in blasphemy Case before Christmas

Muslims continue to use Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law as a legal weapon against the Christian minority.

Please support Shamim Masih’s bravery as a Christians Rights Activist and journalist this Christmas season. Even just being a Christian in Pakistan is a dangerous proposition:

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

JRH 12/19/14

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18 Christians booked in blasphemy Case before Christmas

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 12/18/2014 4:23 AM

ISLAMABAD: Christmas is unique festival for all the Christians around the world. People started its celebration with the start of the month of December. This year in the capital city of Pakistan, 18 Christians including two pastors and three women booked in a blasphemy case.

According to the details, before Christmas 2014 celebration, Christians of the capital city are under persecution. On December 07, FIR was registered accusing 11 people of committing blasphemy including three females of the same area. Naseem Bibi, who was Christian and converted to Islam in 1995, she married a Muslim man and had three children. She complained that Pastor Karamat Masih 45, Shafique Masih nick name Noora 32, Yousaf Masih 60, Parveen Bibi (widow), Bavi Bibi, Nasreen Bibi wife of Yousaf Masih, Shahid Masih 35, Parveez Masih, Tariq Matto, Nabeela Bibi, and Judge Masih reportedly went to her home and attacked her. She said in her application that there were 50 more people, they all came to her house and gave insulted remarks about Islam. She said that they also insulted the Quran. Thus a First Investigation Report (FIR) 888/14 was registered against these people under PP 295-B, 354, 452, 148, 149 in PS Margalla, Islamabad. Four of them, Yousaf, Shafique, Shahid and Tariq were sent to prison.

This is also to mention that Yousaf and Nasreen Bibi planned their daughter’s wedding before Christmas. The nominated Nasreen Bibi is reportedly suffering with severe disease and was admitted in the hospital. They said the FIR was registered in response of the FIR No. 887/14 under PP 506, 341, 148 and 149 against the same lady, when she reportedly attacked a few of the these people. This is also to mention that the same lady had accused 7 Christians of the slums murdering her husband. Finally the court discharged the case.

Earlier on November 20, a FIR was registered against a few Christians of slum area including one Pastor. Another blasphemy case against 8 Christians of the capital was registered on November 20. Christians of the slum area are alleged to disgrace the holy verses of the Quran. The outskirts of the capital is under threat again.

According to the police, Naheed Ahamd complained in the Police Station that he found half burnt pages of the Quran near PTV-2 building in Sector H-9, Islamabad. He also mentioned that [the] names of Ps. Arif, Peera, Ch. David, Victor, Shamshad etc. were also found attached with these verses. Police registered First Investigation Report (FIR) no. 596/14 under section 295-B, 6/7ATA against the offender and started the investigations.

It is also to mention that residents of the said sector were displaced from Rawal Dam and sector G-12 Islamabad. Many displaced families of the famous Rimsha case (a minor Christian girl accused of burning the holy verses [See HERE and HERE) were settled there since then. Federal Government and Capital Development Authority (CDA) have promised to grant them a piece of land. But since then they are not been provided a place to live in. During the past months, Christian slum settlers are warned to clear the area under the umbrella of taking strict security measures.

Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan (SLMP) team visited both victims of the blasphemy accused to provide them some counseling, advice and prayer.  Blasphemy law is frequently used for vested interest against Christians and other minorities in the country. There is strong vice around the world to bring reforms in this law to avoid the bloodletting of Christians and other people of the country. Earlier a Christian couple was burnt in Kot Radh Kishan.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

Diplomatic Correspondent, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, UN, F & S, MOST, CADD & Human Rights Activist

Daily Khabrian – in Urdu (PakBiz.com description – in English) & Channel - 5 (A project of Khabrian Group of papers)

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

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 Edited by John R. Houk

© Shamim Masih 

Slum Dwellers Endure without …

Slum dwellers or a Katchi Abadi – Shamim Masih far right

Christmas is coming to Sunni Muslim dominated Pakistan as to the rest of the world. The thing is I am guessing is blasphemy to celebrate the birth of the Son of God in Muslim nations that believe their Qurans when they tell them Jesus was not born of God.

Shamim Masih is more than a Pakistani journalist. He is also a Christian activist in a nation that it might be dangerous to act in Christian activism. Each year Shamim gets involved in Christmas oriented ministry to bring some relief to the suffering of Christian Pakistanis. Below after Shamim’s report there is a Western Union link by which you can contribute to Shamim’s Christmas efforts. Western Union is good enough to convert your dollars or euros into Pakistan rupees.

Shamim Masih at a Christmas Pulpit

JRH 12/8/14

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Slum Dwellers Endure without Water, Gas and Electricity in the Capital

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 12/7/2014 8:42 AM

ISLAMABAD: Christians around the world are all set to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas with religious zeal in the midst of the echoing of church bells that announce the birth of our Lord Christ Jesus. But slum dwellers of the capital will remain endure without water, Gas and Electricity during the freezing cold weather when the temperature falls down to freezing point. Islamabad, the city of elites and these elite enjoys a cosseted life waited on by maids, cooks and chauffeurs drawn from the ranks of the slum-dwellers. And slum dwellers are of the working class populations, who make this city run, the construction workers, the drivers, the cooks and many more are cleaners. Slums dwellers, largely populated by Christians and Afghan refugees usually live in or across the seasonal drainage in the capital, Islamabad.

The authorities in Islamabad had declared war on the slums, saying they are illegal and safe haven for militants. These localities were not built overnight. If it is illegal, why did Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials not stop them when they started building? The officials reportedly take bribes to let the settlement stay. There is no gas, no electricity and no pure water for drinking provided by the authorities. Constitution of the country says every citizen is equal and has equal rights on all facilities available such as electricity, water, gas and other needs of life. Then why the residents of slums only, are deprived and have no access to these facilities of life. Minorities are being forced to face injustice at each and every step of life. The climate of Islamabad has a typical version of humid subtropical climate, with five seasons: Winter, spring, summer, Rainy monsoon and autumn. Winter (Nov - Feb), the coolest month is December and January, with temperatures variable by location. In Islamabad, temperatures vary from cold to mild, routinely dropping below zero. In the hills there is sparse snowfall. During winter weather becomes quite chilly in December too.

The slum people have more right of housing as they are the employees of CDA. There is need of a radical strategy to establish a cell in the slums to sort out and resolve their problems. Unfortunately Pakistan suffer by [corrupt] civil, judicial and military bureaucracy. Therefore issues of katchi abadis [Encyclopaedia Britannica] were not resolved in its true spirit and the non-serious attitude of government delayed the active process of implementation. Even UN-Habitat which is dealing with slums has ensured the full support but has not done anything practical.

Persecution against Christians is often enacted under the guise of the blasphemy law as well as other instances of harassment and discrimination. Forced conversions, kidnappings, damage to areas of worship, sexual assault and targeted killings all come under the rubric of oppressive practices that minorities are routinely subjected to. Many incidents of religious incitement of varying magnitudes have been reported in several parts of the country. State authorities should play due role [or maybe dual role] for change; and should take serious measures to establish peace and harmony in the society.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

Diplomatic Correspondent, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, UN, F & S, MOST, CADD & Human Rights Activist

Daily Khabrian – in Urdu (PakBiz.com description – in English) & Channel - 5 (A project of Khabrian Group of papers)

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

______________________________

Edited by John R. Houk

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

© Shamim Masih

Judge Ordered to Demolish Slum Settlements

Shamim Masih writes about the conditions of slum suburbs of the Pakistan city of Islamabad AND the government intention to destroy theses slum areas and force the resident to leave. Shamim doesn’t write of the government plan to whence the poor families are to be moved except that there seems to be dialogue about making plan which really has not been developed other than destruction and eviction. The salient point is that these impoverished residents are Christians condemned by their faith to survive in the junk jobs that Muslim reject imposing a lack of education and the lack of the availability of social enhancements which degrades healthy living.

JRH 2/8/14

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Judge Ordered to Demolish Slum Settlements

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 2/8/2014 4:09 PM

ISLAMABAD: Life is so precious, and everyone in the world would love to live safe and sound life but the people living suburb in Islamabad (slum areas) are forced to live this kind of life there. I feel pity to think of the circumstances they are living in, how ignorant they are of the harsh realities of life, and the struggling future they have to face, may be they would not ever get the chance to see the bright colors of life. I had been visiting the slum areas since 2009, I used to imagine about slums and people living there, all I can say, it’s pathetic life they will with. It is really eye opening to actually see how people live over there. Houses are made of mud and some with bricks and cement, unpaved streets and the living conditions are outrageous, which differentiate it from the normal living places. People inhale the toxic gases from the nearby ganda naala (seasonal drainage) and God knows how they tolerate its foul smell.

Most of the inhabitants are Christians, migrated from different parts of the country and have been settled here in search of jobs and for a better future for three decades. These people don’t take care of their health and hygiene. No organization works for the children like sponsoring a child’s education and nutrition expenses. On Friday, a local court ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) official to remove all illegal “katchi Abbadi”. Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddique of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the CDA to clear all settlements from the capital within a month. There are ten colonies (slum settlements) in different sectors of the capital, like Tent colony, 66 quarters, 48 quarters, katchi abadi G-8/1, 100 quarters, France colony, Essa Nagri, Dhuke Najju, Haq bhahu, and Muslim colony. The CDA official estimated that there would be around 5000 families in and around these slums. I wonder that if the Capital Development Authority will take action as per the High Court Judge, where these five thousands families will settle. There is a need to promote responsibility and healthy behaviors among the people so as to improve the social and economic status of the people of the community. Instead they are going to demolish and [endeavor] to remove them. Human rights worker, Basharat Khokher met CDA manager, Amir Ahmed Ali and requested him to take care of the necessary measures for the displaced families. If it happens, UNHCR [Editor **: Yes I am one of those Conspiracy Theory/NWO suspicious people that has a huge distrust for anything United Nations due to Agenda 21.] should come in front and should manage the IDPs.

      

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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** UN organizations more than likely may have a short term benefit for the hopeless in poverty stricken areas outside of Western nations; nonetheless the paradigm of UN Agenda 21 is one global government to arbitrarily manage natural resources, farming, land management, population management [as in depopulating earth for better sustainability] and the revamping civil rights so as not to disobey the New World Order transformation. Yeah I know it may sound nuts, but if you read the documentation I am certain your alarm-o-meter will go off.

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Edited by John R. Houk

All links in Shamim’s report are provided by the Editor with the intention of providing context.

© 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 Bottom of Form

Protest in Islamabad

Here is an update from Shamim Masih relating to the Muslim rampage against Christians at Joseph Colony just outside Lahore, Pakistan. The rampage and pillaging of Joseph Colony was the result of Islamic intolerance of Sawan Masih saying something about Mohammed undoubtedly in a negative light. Or perhaps Sawan said nothing negatively about Mo and a Muslim or two decided to settle an argument by taking advantage of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws. Thank God I live in a nation in which the Constitution says I have Free Speech and that Congress cannot make a law in which one religion is superior to another religion.

                                                              

JRH 3/10/13

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Protest in Islamabad

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 3/9/2013 1:13 PM

Christians of Islamabad/Rawalpindi staged protest against Badami Bagh incident

Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): Christians of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, on receiving the news regarding Badami Bagh tragic incident, cancelled all their engagements and immediately convened an emergent meeting about this incident.

Later, Christians’ human rights activists, member civil society staged a protest at National Press Club, Islamabad. They were holding banners and shout slogans against on the attack on the poor Christians of Joseph Colony, Lahore.

Basharat Khokhar, a human rights activist said that the ugly fact is that the blasphemy law is an enabler of mob violence against vulnerable groups. As long as such laws remain on the books and the authorities remain unwilling or unable to rein in mobs playing judge, jury and executioner, Pakistan will remain plagued by abuse in the name of religion, he added.

Samuel Yaqoob urged the Punjab Government to investigate and prosecute as appropriate campaigns of intimidation, threats, and violence against Christian and other vulnerable groups. 

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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© Shamim Masih

Shamim Masih

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

President

REAP
Public Affairs coordinator

UMJI

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

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

Fighting Christian Poverty in Islamabad with F.S. Butt

Shamim Masih and Faisal Sakhi Butt

John R. Houk

© January 2, 2013

I just posted a submission from Shamim Masih concerning persecution of Christians in Pakistan. Shamim’s next submission is about the horrendous living conditions of Christians in Pakistan. In the process of explaining the Christian slums of Pakistan he points to Faisal Sakhi Butt as a hero in combating slum conditions.

The thing is Mr. Butt is in a bit of trouble or at least he is a controversial figure in land improvement in Islamabad, Pakistan. Faisal Sakhi Butt was a Chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA). While Mr. Butt was the Chairman of the CDA the Islamabad organization was accused of corruption (SA Islamabad bar association: Lawyers show solidarity with judge).

Now here’s some speculation. Faisal Sakhi Butt is a Muslim with an authentic heart for poor people in Pakistan. I am guessing that Butt is in the seemingly decreasing secular minded Muslims of Pakistan. Religious Muslims in Pakistan tend to lean toward radical (purist) Islam which translates into Islamic Supremacism and intolerance toward non-Muslims.

Furthermore Mr. Butt’s kindness to Christians would make the intolerant Muslims a bit angry with him; hence the legal issues that are assaulting him. If my speculation is off I am certain Shamim Masih will correct me.

Further Reading

§  Over 70 CDA officials moved in major reshuffle

§  CDA chairman, Sakhi make hasty exit

§  PPP man files reference against judge

§  About Faisal: Growing up in Islamabad

In any case below is Shamim’s submission.

JRH 1/2/12

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Voice for Voiceless Christians in Capital living in atrocious conditions

By Shamim Masih

Sent: December 31, 2012 5:20 AM

Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): When visited slum settlements of Islamabad, this scribe found that living in those colonies was similar to living in any far-flung areas of Sindh or Balochistan, where basic facilities do not exist. The water supply is limited and technically not feasible to full fill the need of the whole vicinity. The sanitary facilities are next to none; as sewer water can be seen flowing on the main boulevard. Almost all the streets are in a dilapidated condition, while there is no process for maintenance and repair of roads in the area.

I am not blaming anyone, the government or the majority class; rather I must admit frankly there are rifts within the Christian community as well. The affluent ones in our community don’t care for the poor segments just like the overall Pakistani society.

Its permanent solution lies in the hands of the elected political figure of the constituency. If local elected representative takes interest to solve their problems then their living can bring up to the mark.

We (Pakistani Christians) often write the stories of persecution, rape and murder that are more or less daily lot of Christians in Pakistan. But discrimination and oppression takes many less news worthy forms.

Faisal Sakhi Butt, a Pakistani businessman and politician, who obtained his Business Administration degree from Harper Adams University College, New port, UK.  Faisal Sakhi Butt is top rated candidate from Pakistan Peoples Party (a ruling party in the country) for the coming election and contesting for the seat of member of National Assembly from NA-48.  Couple of days back when I met Faisal Sakhi Butt I felt he is a strong voice for the weaker sections of the society including laborers, women, children and religious minorities in Islamabad. He works on human rights issues with a rights based approach.

Faisal Sakhi Butt had been the Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force on Islamabad that encouraged him to speak about the rights of vulnerable people of the society and to enhance his interaction with laborer groups and learned more about their problems. As a Muslim politician raising voice for minorities is not easy, however, he set a great example for highlighting the issues of the Christians of the slums. He always spoke up whenever there were threats to the lives and properties of the minorities’ community.

 

He planned to bring a revolutionary change in living of slum settlers in the capital, if selected from the said constituency. Votes of these slum settlers for him can bring change in their living. He emphasized the inculcation of hard work in our life that would not only prosper us as individual but the whole country.  He strongly spoke out against the violations of women and child rights. He shared the idea to construct three storey flats for these Christians, thus the provision of the necessities of life ensured. He has also been helping the poor sanitary workers in CDA and had been to their places for the Christmas celebrations this year as well.

There are numerous examples of his tireless efforts in the field of human rights with a rights based approach. He has set up very good examples of resolving issues of workers involving all the stakeholders.

Special Appeal: Faisal Sakhi Butt is a young man with great vision. Your feedback shall further help him to continue this great work despite the challenges especially for the Christians in Islamabad. If you like to know more about him, just send me an e-mail at shamimpakistan@gmail.com and I can send you details.

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Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

Secretary General

REAP
+92-300-642-4560

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Fighting Christian Poverty in Islamabad with F.S. Butt

John R. Houk

© January 2, 2013

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Voice for Voiceless Christians in Capital living in atrocious conditions

© Shamim Masih