CDA Urged SC to Make Poor Christian Homeless

After a bigoted anti-Christian report by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad, the plan is close to being executed to make slum dwelling Christians completely homeless during Pakistan's cold season. This means no shelter, no necessities for living and an extreme lack of sources for food will exist. It is reminiscent on how the former Soviet Union used the weather elements and starvation for the genocide of Ukrainians in the old USSR.

Since President Barack Hussein Obama is more concerned about displaced Jew and Christian-hating than the genocidal slaughter of Christians in the Middle East I have doubts he will lend a voice to the helpless Christians in Pakistan that is actually using the instruments of government planning to provide phases to this genocide if successful.

JRH 12/23/15

Please Support SlantRight 2.0

*******************************

CDA Urged SC to Make Poor Christian Homeless

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 12/21/2015 8:10 PM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is made for all its citizens, irrespective to their religion and its government responsibility to provide shelter to every citizen. But the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) to allow CDA to take action along with other Government Departments, against the Christians dwellers in the capital and the residents may be returned to their native areas. This is very unfortunate that Christian parliamentarian and clergy are still silent in the country.

Christian dwellers had found their living place around the seasonal drainage (Nalaas) of Islamabad for more than three decades. They are constantly living under threat though serving in CDA and their women and children are serving the well-to-do families in the capital. Most of them work as laborers, housekeepers and street cleaners but the authorities have not provided them housing facilities. Their children are starving and families choose to sell themselves into slavery for survival, illustrating that humanity has left the nation of Pakistan.

[Christians] living across the seasonal drainages (Nalaas) and [are] most affected by the floods every year in the rainy season, but no disaster recovery plan or infrastructure has been put in place to enhance their safety and security. Victims lost most of their possessions every year which washed away with their homes or irretrievably ruined by a water surge. But they again manage their livings. Many of them have been drowned during the raining season and died, leaving their children helpless. These people are living with no proper drainage system, no pure water facility, no regular electricity and no gas facility provided by CDA.

Earlier the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered to demolish the slums of Islamabad. In the recent report submitted to the apex court the CDA has not only declared the influx as a threat to the numerical superiority of Muslims in the capital city but bashes slum residents as land grabbing migrants who, presumably, do not contribute to the development of this country. The word “ugly” manifest repeatedly in the report as a description of the slums: They “look like ugly villages” in the beautiful city of Islamabad. They’re “ugly slums which present a bad picture even (more) than the ancient slums of neighboring city of Rawalpindi” Dawn reported. This is totally inhuman behavior adopted towards the Christian resident and against ethnic norms.

The most unsettling element of the report is the implication that the religion of the slum-residents makes them more problematic than usual.  The CDA report states: It is necessary to identify the fact that most of the katchi abadis are under the occupation of the Christian community who are shifted from Narowal, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Kasur, Sahiwal and Faisalabad and occupied the Government land so badly as if It has been allotted to them and it seems this pace of occupation of land may affect the Muslim majority of the capital. This statement offers a glimpse into the minds of those who are part of the slum eradication drive.

The CDA has no plan to shift or provide alternate land and financial compensation to the dwellers and wanted them to send back to their native areas. Evocation [Blog Editor: I am uncertain if Shamim means “evocation” or “evacuation”. He used “evocation”.] is a violation of human rights of the poor. This clearly shows the mindset of the present government that divides Pakistanis on religion lines. The constitution guarantees the right to shelter to every citizen and no one should be removed from Islamabad on the basis of religion. Asim Sajjad, President Awami Watin Party (AWP) [Blog Editor: If AWP can also stand for Awami Workers Party, then HERE is a link of an unabashedly Leftist political party in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.] said that he was shocked to see the report CDA has submitted to the SC to justify its actions against the Christian dwellers of the capital. Religious minorities should not be targeted on the basis of their religion. “Either no one checks such hooplas in the CDA or it has a policy to remove Christians from the city, he added. Falak Sher, a resident of H 9 colony said that his family was displaced from Mehrabadi like many others after the religious animosity gripped the slum after the cleric accused a young Christian girl, Rimsha, of burning Quran. They settled down in H 9 but the CDA has planned to displace them again just because of their faith.

The ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), is evidently considered against the Christians in the country. Most of the inhuman retorts, like burning a Christian couple and burning Christian colonies after accusing any Christian had been in Punjab during its rule. Death plenty punishment was being added in blasphemy law by the Godfather of Nawaz Sharif, (Gen Zia ul Haq). PML-N leader was reportedly behind the burning of the hundreds of the Christians’ houses including two churches in Joseph Colony, Lahore in March, 2013. Now during the rule of the said party, the civic agency plans to demolish 41 slums in different sectors of the capital and [it is no coincidence a] few of them are Christian populated. Earlier the CDA informed the SC that katchi abadis will be demolished in four phases but no time frame was given to execute the plan.

Under phase I, the slums to be knocked down are: Street 17 of Sector I-10/1, Sector H-11/2 Kashmir Highway, Roshan Colony Sector I-12, Christian Colony Sector G-6/1-4, Dhobi Ghat G-6/2, Sector F-8/1 Nazimuddin Road, Green Belt H-12 and I-12 behind NUST, Muzaffar Colony H-11/4, Musharraf Colony G-8/4, Muhallah Dori Bagh, Miskeen Colony G-8/4, Shopper Colony G-7 Markaz, Sector H-9 and Bari Imam Katchi Abadi.

Likewise, 11 katchi abadis will be removed under phase II. They are: Chak Shahzad (PIA), Chak Shahzad Pona Faqiran, Dhoke Pathan Chamber Road Abadi, Dhoke Pathan (Sahila), Khanna Pull, New Shkrial katchi abadi, Shams Colony Bhangra Road, Rawat, Sumbal at Korak Town, Junejo Colony, Mohriyan and NIH Colony. Five similar colonies are slated to be demolished under phase III. They are: Bheka Syedan F-11, Sectors G-12, F-12, E-12 behind Khushian Wali Sarkar and I-11/2 Bakra and Surain. In phase IV, the slums to be removed are located at Sectors G-7/1, G-7/2 (66 quarters), G-7/3-2 (48 quarters), F-6/2, F-7/4 France Colony, Hansa Colony G-8/1, Essa Nagri I-9/1 and Muslim Colony, Bari Imam.

Unfortunately Christian parliamentarians do not bother to speak in the favor of Christians instead presenting “all well” reports. In 15 katchi abadis, dwellers are Christians in the capital city and it is feared that if CDA takes action against these slum areas around 150,000 people will be on the roads. The action will displace the Christian community during the freezing cold season. 

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

Correspondent, Pakistan Today - (About Pakistan Today), Blogger and Human Rights Activist
http://oiwerk.blogspot.com/

______________________

Edited by John R. Houk

Any text enclosed by brackets are by the Editor and all links as well.

© Shamim Masih

Take a Stand with Christians in Muslim Dominated Nations

John R. Houk

© December 2, 2015

December marks a point when the spirit of Christmas motivates Christians to take on a sense of the Love of God and a hopeful future in Christ. Whether or not the Lord Jesus Christ was actually born as the Son of God in December or a more acceptable historical date (many historians think October) is irrelevant. The relevance is the meaning of the season.

Christmas is a good time to think of the Christians who are literally brutally persecuted even to death where they are a minority. Although Muslim nations are not the only place where Christians are a minority, it is in Muslims nations in which some of the cruelest persecutions take place rabidly against Christians. The ISIS genocidal acts against Christians may come to mind first among Westerners because the rarity of reporting on Christian persecution currently shows blips of ISIS slaughtering of Christians. If you know a way to aid these Brothers and Sisters in faith DO SO! If you don’t know a way, find a person or organization that does. Barring resources dear God in Heaven at least get on your knees and pray.

I have a Christian friend in Pakistan who is actually from Pakistan. His name is Shamim Masih. Pakistan Islamic persecution of Christians may not be on the level of ISIS; nonetheless it is still quite horrific. Shamim makes a meager living as a Christian journalist in Pakistan. Even though the living is meager, his activities are still devoted to human rights for his fellow Christians which includes whatever Christian love that can be offered on a ministerial basis.

Due to Shamim’s selfless devotion to the community of Christians in Pakistan (the Brothers and Sisters of ALL Christians) this is a good time to remember the work of people like Shamim. If you already support a person like Shamim, dear God in Heaven, KEEP DOING IT! If you have room in your budget to send some support Shamim’s way please do so. If you don’t have your version of a Shamim Masih, please consider supporting Shamim Masih. Especially during this Christmas season.

Below are the contents of two emails which were sent in late November to me from Shamim Masih. The first is a Christmas appeal. The second is a typical report from Shamim on the brutality experienced constantly by Christian Pakistanis from the Sunni Muslim majority of Pakistan.

Pertaining to the brutality of Muslims against Christians in Pakistan Shamim using a starting point of an interfaith harmony conference sponsored by Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust & Engagement (UNITE). Frankly I am not certain how much Shamim agrees with my sentiments on the Antichrist nature of the Islamic religion. So I note with a dubious attitude toward the seemingly Muslim domination of this so-called interfaith harmony agenda of UNITE. As you will read below the conference took place between November 24 and 25 2015 in Islamabad. I’m cross posting the Slide Share presentation of this conference’s agenda for harmony between Islam and the religious minorities of Pakistan of which Christianity is one of many minorities.

Like so many Leftist multiculturalists and Muslim apologists, I find this agenda a bit misleading:

Slide Share Presentation:

Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust and Engagement.

View more presentations from Randall Flynn

Here are some selected excerpts from the UNITE agenda from the earlier parts of the Slide Share demonstration:

o   This despite the fact that under Islam, the rights of minorities in Muslim societies are fully protected to ensure their complete security and harmony; and the same can be deemed ideal for any society. 

 o   In order to ensure, safeguard and promote the rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in Islam … 

 o   The head of UNITE is the country’s young, renowned religious leader Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin, who is already rendering exemplary guidance by preaching patience and tolerance, religious harmony while educating youth about Islam’s progressive message in the country. 

  OBJECTIVES 

 o   The main objective – 

 o   Elaborate a clear connection between all the religions of the world with Islam. 

 o   Strive for peaceful coexistence between all religions. 

 o   Make aware Islam’s inclusiveness to all religions. 

 o   Encourage and promote education for the larger public benefit concerning religious education among the different religions. 

 GOVERNING BODY 

 o   The name, addresses and descriptions of the present members of the governing body are: 

 o   Sardar Muhammad Yousaf – Patron in Chief 

 o   Mufti Abu Huraira Mohiuddin – Chairman 

 o   Mufti Abu Bakar Mohiuddin – Vice Chairman 

 o   Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf – General Secretary 

 o   Jameel ur Rehman – Joint Secretary 

 o   Zee Waqar Ahmed – Finance Secretary 

 o   Sajjad Ahmed – Secretary Information 

Hmm … Does this sound like the Islam of the Quran, Hadith and Sira? “… under Islam, the rights of minorities in Muslim societies are fully protected to ensure their complete security and harmony …”

A deceptive Muslim answer is something like this: Islam insures the rights of minorities and fully protects the security and harmony of minorities. The thing is a Muslim fails to tell a non-Muslim is this promise is EXTREMELY conditional. In quoting the opening sentence of a pro-Islam website entitled “General Rules for dealing with non Muslims” the proviso runs like this:

Islam orders Muslims to deal kindly and justly to all non Muslims as long as they do not oppose or oppress Muslims or place obstacles in the way of spreading Islam. 

The key to understanding despotism in Islam is the part that says, “… as long as they do not oppose or oppress Muslims or place obstacles in the way of the spreading Islam.” The rest of this webpage tells you of all the justice of protection non-Muslims but fails in the extreme the retribution incurred for opposing or preventing the spread of Islam by example showing how much more compassionate your religious faith is than Islam. Oh baby just read the news to see how Muslims treat non-Muslims for breaking the above proviso.

Then check out the names of UNITE’s governing body. Every single one of these guys on this interfaith/harmony organization’s governing body are Muslim! Where the heck is the so-call interfaith harmony in UNITE’s body politic? The links embedded into the governing body are from me the Blog Editor.

At any rate moving on back to Shamim Masih. Please take a prayerful moment to contemplate on supporting his Christian work in Pakistan. Directly below Shamim provides an avenue to contact him to set up a support arrangement whether it is one-time or ongoing. At the end of the second Shamim email I provide a Western Union path to support Shamim. Sadly Shamim tells me nary a person has used that method so perhaps follow the instructions directly below.

God is good and Jesus Christ the Savior is Lord.

JRH 12/2/15

********************

Celebrate this Christmas Special

Share your joy with needy Christians

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 11/30/2015 10:38 AM

Make Christmas Special for Your Sponsored Child

Christmas traditions hold so much value in our lives. They help us comprehend more deeply the joy we sing about at Christmas—whether we’re building gingerbread houses, caroling throughout the community, hanging ornaments on the tree, or exchanging gifts, each tradition helps us embrace the miracle that become possible through Jesus . . . the firstborn of our eternal family! Christmastime awakens our appreciation for the ultimate reason for the occasion—the celebration of the greatest gift of all—Christ Jesus.

Many Christian families cannot afford and their children remain neglected. It really hearts me and this year I have planned to do something special. With your help I can reach many people. Many of you are witness to my services towards Christian community in the country.

This Christmas, you’re invited to share this incredible gift, along with some of your special traditions, with your sponsored child. Make them feel a part of your Christmas celebration. This year we have planned to support at least ten families.

For contribution, please contact Shamim at 92 300 642 4560 or you can email me, shamimpakistan@gmail.com 

+++

Elimination of Violence

Persecution against Religious Minorities

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 11/29/2015 3:03 AM

ISLAMABAD: There was an International conference in Islamabad on 24-25 November, 2015 [UNITE.org and UtahReps.net], to create interfaith harmony and better interaction with religious minorities of the country. It was just a public show for the vested interest of a close relative of the Federal Minister Sardar Yousaf [Wikiwand] and some other people. Practically the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) has shut down the role of Ministry of Interfaith Harmony and religious minorities has been facing the same kind of discrimination. Locally people see so little solidarity and harmony but religious extremists with a specific mind set continues to violate basic human rights with impunity. For the past weeks, we saw the continued horrific, religious rights violated daily. I just returned from Dist. Faisalabad where a Christian school girl, Sara, 8, has faced torture and was locked for an hour or so by her head teacher for using [school] toilet which is meant to use by Muslims only [Pakistan Christian Post]. This matter was raised in the Senate by the Senator Sharry [or Sherry] Rehman [Wikipedia]. Also Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani [Wikipedia] has ordered an inquiry [Christianity Today] on this issue but [so far] there is no result. A local Christian family is pressured to compromise with the education department. And this issue was dumped to death. Forced conversions, kidnappings and rapes of minority women is on and nobody bothers to look into this matter. Unfortunately some of Christian representatives are [too] busy to present a win- win situation to the West for their vested interests.

Tahir Naveed Chaudhry [Pakistan Minorities Alliance], chairman Pakistan Minority Alliance (PMA) has raised the issues facing minorities. Addressing to the conference, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry said that to create a better interaction between different religions of the country:

o   The government should stop discriminatory behavior towards religious minorities.

o   The government should provide minorities living rights.

o   Forced conversions should stop.

o   Minority seats in the Parliament house should be increased according to the population.

o   There should be a transparent and fair census.

o   Abuse and misuse of blasphemy law should end.

o   Discriminatory material in text books should be banned.

Chaudhry said that discrimination in the legislation shows the dual face of the country, when Article 25 [PakistanConstitution.com] protect the rights of all citizen of the country but Article 41[http://sja.gos.pk] restricts the minority members to become president, and 18^th Amendment has barred them to be the prime minister [18^th Amendment 29(3)] of Pakistan. Pakistan must stop its discriminatory behavior.

The New Year can lessen the trouble from the previous year for the Pakistani minorities if government takes necessary measures to protect minorities. We are witness to the year-round occurrence and continue to an alarming degree of the violence against the Christians of the countries. Persecution against minorities is not only blasphemy allegations but is an attack on their bodily integrity and their dignity. Police brutality towards minorities is no secret [Christian Post]. There are number of cases been reported the suspicious deaths of Christians without police custody. Lack of interest towards complaints by the Christians minority has created a recognized level of impunity that exacerbates the situation in the country. Political influence on the judiciary and police has extended the forms and ways to violence and discrimination against the Christian minority. Most recently, in the capital, Islamabad, PML-N a sitting parliamentarian reportedly has used its power to grab land of Pak Development Foundation ® (PDF) of 1.2 acre, where PDF is running vocational institute as well. The local land grabber with the help of PML-N parliamentarian registered a First Investigation Report (FIR) -134/15, at Police Station (PS) Banni Gala, Islamabad [Blog Editor: If not the incident meant by Shamim, THIS is at least is an example of land grabbing practices] against PDF management and Basharat Khokhar [Christians in Pakistan], chief Coordinator United Church Council Islamabad (UCCI).

On the other hand the refusal by police officers to even register an FIR in most cases raised by Christians, illustrates that western nation assessment of “sufficiency of protection” are flawed at best – yet the big sponsors i.e. Britain, the European Union and the US the current status quo will continue or reach a nadir [Assist News Service]. The West is busy in bringing Legislative amendments to enable speedy return of asylum seekers to their home country. Benefits for asylum seekers have been reduced and rules for family immigration are tightened.

People across the globe simply have to challenge their politicians to intervene on behalf of Pakistani Christians or eventually this attrition will lead to the eradication of Christians in Pakistan.   We need to place an emphasis on the universality of violence against religious minorities in Pakistan, the multiplicity of its forms and the ways in which violence, discrimination against minorities, and the broader system of domination based on subordination and inequality are inter-related. The value of interfaith harmony is that it serves as a time of analysis of the issue and then of re-dedication to take both short-term and longer-range measures.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

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. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

Correspondent, Pakistan Today - (About Pakistan Today), Blogger and Human Rights Activist
http://oiwerk.blogspot.com/

_________________

Take a Stand with Christians in Muslim Dominated Nations

John R. Houk

© December 2, 2015

__________________

“Celebrate this Christmas Special” and “Elimination of Violence”

Edited by John R. Houk

Text and Links enclosed by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Duplicity of Pak Govt. toward Religious Minorities

Shamim Masih writes about how the Pakistani government is ignoring all of Pakistan’s religious minorities to the favor of Sunni Islam. In my case I am interested in how Sunni Muslims get away with persecuting Christians with nearly no legal recourse.

JRH 7/4/15

Please Support SlantRight 2.0

************************

Duplicity of Pak Govt. toward Religious Minorities

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 7/3/2015 5:02 PM

ISLAMABAD: My article printed on June 20, 2013 at Daily Times, Islamabad (SlantRight 2.0 version) stated that Pakistani Christians have thrown some of their political support to Pakistan Muslim League (N) [Wikipedia] in the election on 11 May 2013, even though they have reason to be wary of his return to power. A majority of the Pakistani Christians are not optimistic about Sharif’s government because of their religious approach and prejudiced mind set. In general, Pakistan is unable to achieve its desired status in the comity of nations despite have good natural and human resources; the reason is that there is injustice at the heart of all its systems on all levels.

The PML-N’s history of ruling over Punjab province is marked by several episodes of anti-Christian violence. Although blasphemy laws are being misused in the country widely but most of the cruel incidents against Christians happened in the Punjab province under Sharif’s rule [PCP – 5/25/15; SWI – 3/11/13]. Present PML-N government has not only shown its duplicity in Punjab province but exposed at the federal level as well.

After the deadly blasts in two Churches of Yohanabad which killed at least 17 people and around eighty people were injured in the explosions, yet normalcy hasn’t returned. Many families haven’t returned to Youhanbad. The suicide bombings in two churches were timed to cause optimum damage since there were 2000 worshippers present in the Sunday mass. But volunteer security guards and policemen engaged the suicide bombers at the gate at the cost of their own lives. The angry [Christian] mob burned the two [Muslim] suspects who were later found to be innocent. The media devoted more airtime to lynching and the mob’s vandalism than to the aftermath of the bombings. Thus the real image of Christians was forged. We heard Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, addressing the Parliament termed the lynching the “worst form of terrorism.” His outburst prompted the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to urge the authorities to exercise caution and “avoid giving the impression that they are keen to pursue the killers of the two men than they are in protecting the minority community’s rights against terrorists’ attacks.” No one has ever been punished for all the crimes committed against the Christian community but police have registered terrorism cases against hundreds of the Christians, identified through video footage and photographs of the mob attack. Each night since, said Pastor Ashknaz, plainclothes policemen arrived, “prop up ladders, break down doors and pick up the men on basis of more suspicion.” Residents claimed police have even targeted children. The authorities appear more concerned with Muslim victims than Christian ones.

Another discriminatory behavior from Punjab government is that with a population of 100,000 mostly Christians of Youhanabad are still deprived of the Metro Bus service at Youhanabad station. They use the bus terminal where they face systematic harassment each day. Especially Christian women of the area have been facing harassment after the incident. The very next day, people started pouring out of mosques to avenge the killings; the Muslim mob violence went public, several Christian boys from the area were beaten, allegedly in retaliation to the lynching. A church has also been vandalized, its windows were broken and doors marked with black paint. The attacks may be sporadic, but the fear they cause is very real. Aslam Pervaiz Sahotra and many others are still waiting for justice behind bars. In this cruelty Christian associates of PML-N have join hands with the sitting provincial government. The prominent member gets boots [uncertain meaning?] from the CM Shahbaz Sharif couple of years back [Might reference Sharif’s secret negotiations with Islamic terrorists]. None of the responsible person from the government side has yet visited the heartbroken community.

Now when Interior Minister forced “Save the Children” to shut down its office in the country, then he added many other INGOs to follow strict new licensing procedures. Recently Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan canceled the visas of three Philippine nuns, prompting a lawsuit from the Catholic Church. Express Tribune reported that they were accused of “engaging in employment in violation of their visa category.” The nuns have been working in Pakistan for decades, but now they were told they must leave.  Abid Nazir, an attorney said that these nuns are “missionary workers” and have devoted their lives to educating and helping impoverished children in Pakistan. He fears that interior minister has a personal dispute with principal. Nazir said Nisar Ali Khan’s wife used to work as a teacher at the school but resigned in 2011 after the dispute with principal.

Still, the controversy is another example of how Pakistan is again taking a more aggressive stance toward some foreigners trying to work here. When US missionary inquired about a months old travel request, a communications officer said the matter was being held up by the Interior Ministry. Pakistani government is practicing unannounced banned on international missionaries visiting Pakistan just because of personal liking or disliking. The recent crackdown is so surprising; there has been no known trigger for it. During the last visit of Secretary of State John Kerry, said both Pakistani and U S officials have been stressing that relations between two countries have greatly improved.

It’s a mindset of the present government; [viz. the] Interfaith Harmony Ministry is merged and all minority issues are held. This means, there are no minorities’ voice neither in the legislation nor outside the house [See “Government failed to promote interfaith harmony in Pakistan”- PCP 2/22/13 and “International Religious Freedom Report for 2011” – U.S. State Dept.]. This government cunningly has sidelined all the minorities’ so called representative in the parliament house. It is noteworthy that if the democratic process in any state has to be checked then one must look at how its minorities are treated. No society can aspire to call itself democratic if it systematically excludes specific groups from the full protection of laws, provision of equal rights and opportunities.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

++

Human Rights Activist, Diplomatic Correspondent, MOFA, Diplomacy, UN, F & S, MOST, PTI and Daily Sama Islamabad (Urdu language)

Shamim’s Blog: http://oiwerk.blogspot.com/

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

____________________________

Edited by John R. Houk

All source links and any text enclosed by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Santa Claus doesn’t Visit Pakistan?

Karachi Santa Reuters photo 12-24-14

What is it like for Christians to celebrate Christmas in an Islamic Supremacist nation like Pakistan? Shamim Masih relates the Christmas experience.

JRH 12/26/14

Please Support SlantRight 2.0

******************************

Santa Claus doesn’t Visit Pakistan?

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 12/26/2014 4:03 AM

ISLAMABAD: December 25^th is a public holiday, but it is in the memory of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the country, not for the celebrations of Christmas. Pakistan has a population over 180 million people and there are around 20 million Christians. Although there [has not been a] census in the country for many years, this is estimated figure given by different Christian organization and churches around. Most of Christians living in [Pakistan] are quite poor. At Christian festivals, like Christmas and Easter, a big procession takes place like in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. Before and during Advent, spiritual seminars take place to help people to prepare for Christmas. In many Christian areas, carol singing is performed by various groups. They go from house to house singing carols and in return the family offers something to the choir. Mostly the money collected from such carols is used for charity works or is given to the church. But this trend is gradually fading now due to the wave of terrorism in the country for the last decade.

  

Christmas is not being celebrated in Pakistan like, in EU or other Christian countries. Especially, when there is a Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) (a political party) come into power. Most of the Pakistani Christians believe that the PML-N mind set is pro-Taliban and they [can] hardly bear Pakistani Christians. And this year they proved it, the government didn’t announce any public holiday for Christians. There remained gas and electricity load shedding schedule in its routine. It means Christians of the country enjoyed Christmas with gas and electricity. On the other hand, a special announcement is being made by the government and special [holiday] packages on Eid ul Fiter [or Fitr – in Pakistan: HERE and HERE] and Eid ul Uzha [or Azha or Adha] (Muslim’s festivals) [are] announced usually. The authorities gave another indication of being second class citizens [i.e. dhimmis] and showed their discriminatory attitude toward Christians of the country.

Anyway, in the big Christians areas, each house is decorated and has a star on the roof. Christians also sometimes exchange Christmas cakes. Churches are packed for midnight or vigil mass services. After the vigil-mass, in some places there are fireworks which start Christmas celebrations. People wear their best and colorful clothes. Some people dance, exchange gifts and enjoy the special night. But this Christmas is embraced in certain parts of Pakistani society, especially among the wealthy and educated. Paradoxically, the country is also seeing an uptick in violence against Christians as some use the country’s controversial “Blasphemy law” to marginalize and oppress their non-Muslim countrymen.

Not everyone is deprived of an opulent holiday feast when it comes to Christmas dinner in Pakistan. The menu reads as if an especially corpulent Santa had [been] providing dinner. Brie and cranberry parcels, roast turkey, gravy, beef, stuffing and mushroom roulade. Spiced pumpkin cheesecake and “Christmas Pie Sundae” complete with orange, almond and whisky sauce cap off dinner for well-connected diplomats and privileged society.

This privileged society simply forget their Christian brothers, [who have] no decorations, no best and colorful clothes. The stench from overflowing half-frozen sewers permeates the small neighborhoods. As a nation, we wear our emotions on our sleeve, given to sudden declarations that fizzle out like the ocean surf. Our tragedies forgotten before the wounds have sealed, we continue desensitized.

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

Text and links enclosed by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Pakistani Christians Doomed to Oppression under Islamic Rule of Law

John R. Houk

© June 28, 2014

I started this post as an introduction to Shamim Masih’s latest journalistic contribution about Christian life in Pakistan. My intro became too long ergo I am posting it followed by Shamim’s report entitled “Care for Christians in Pakistan”.

Shamim demands social justice for Pakistan minorities with his emphasis on Pakistan’s Christians. Some of the questions Shamim asks:

Will I be safe today? Do I actually have the right to live freely? Can I walk on my own?

Shamim is typical of Pakistani-Christians. As a Christian he desires religious liberty without oppression. As a Pakistani Shamim is wholly devoted to Pakistan as the nation of his birth – he is a Pakistani patriot.

A lot of Pakistani-Christians because of birth and once experiencing the British legal system prior to 1947, have a difficult time realizing the obvious. As long as Pakistan calls itself a Muslim Republic Christians and all non-Muslims will be second class citizens (Pakistan is a Sunni majority nation so Shi’ites are included in minority discrimination).

Pakistani-Christians look back to Pakistan independence in 1947 (carved away from India with the intention of providing Muslims political security from the Hindu majority of India proper). Pakistan’s founder - Muhammad Ali Jinnah – in speech stumping for independence expressed a desire for a secular Pakistan in which all religions and ethnicities were to be respected. Because of this even the Pakistani-Christians loved Jinnah and his legacy. Due to the nature of Islam, if Jinnah was ever sincere, I doubt he would have succeeded. At any rate the Jinnah legacy lives on among Pakistani-Christians because Jinnah did not live long enough to maintain the original Constitution. After Jinnah’s death in 1948 of lung cancer, Pakistan began to devolve into an Islamic State. Z.A. Bhutto (latter hung in 1979) expressly began to use Islam as a unifier of the Sunni Muslim ethnicities of Pakistan followed by the Quran and Sharia Law becoming the standard of the rule of law. It is my opinion as long as the rule of law is based on Islam, Christians are doomed to be persecuted and marginalized in Pakistan.

JRH 6/28/14 [Please scroll toward the end to view Shamim’s donation info]

Please Support SlantRight 2.0

******************************

Care for Christians in Pakistan

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 6/28/2014 12:58 PM

ISLAMABAD: Social evil is one of the most brutal and biggest curses to any nation which plays the vital role in the destruction of the society in any country or state. Pakistan is amongst one of those countries which are facing various disparaging social evils which have affected the law and order situation in the country, national harmony and peace.

Will I be safe today? Do I actually have the right to live freely? Can I walk on my own? These are just some questions every Pakistani asks himself every day. But as a religious minority member, I feel 200% insecure [more] than Sunni Muslims. There has been an unprecedented number heinous acts committed against religious minorities lately, whether it be violence, blasphemy, rape cases. Justice is still pending for countless cases in the country and the state has failed to deliver what is promised since independence – equality and justice for all. Development is not mere statistics based on only economic growth. What position does Pakistan have, when the cries of the minorities are stifled and the meek are silenced? On one hand we boast of a nation and its unity in diversity and on the other hand religious minorities has no voice of their own. They are merely shunted to the periphery for the society.

Sometimes I feel nothing can stir the consciousness of the people. We live in a materialistic era where money presides over the social issues, our own humanity. We all suffer from the ostrich syndrome. We think nothing is wrong till we start suffering. We fail to push forward the need for a change, a revolution.

September 22, 2013, witnessed the most brutal act that created ripples of protest all over the world. Twin explosions at All Saints Church in Peshawar killed more than 80 people and wounded over 100 others. The heinous act was strongly condemned in Pakistan and the world as well. Many houses in Joseph Colony, Lahore were set ablaze including two churches. I thought that the leaders and police would have more empathy for the sufferings of the weaker segment of the society. Finally the Supreme Court of Pakistan took Suo Moto [Latin Literally translated, it means "on its own motion," and the term generally refers to a situation wherein a judge acts without request by either party to the action before the court – in Pakistan] action and the Supreme Court of Pakistan has brought smiles on the faces of the poor strata of the society.

The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan ordered the federal government to form a national council of minorities’ rights for protection of minority rights and ensuring religious harmony. The order further stated that those responsible for religious hate speech on social media must be brought to justice and children who face harassment at their schools because of their religious beliefs should be protected. The apex court also ordered the formation of a special force to protect of worship. [Blog Editor: Pakistan SC 32 page in pdf and in English]

Chief Justice (CJ) Tassaduq Hussain Jilani ordered federal and provincial governments to meet a quota of minorities in employments in all services. The court asked the registrar to form a three-member bench to ensure the order is carried out. The new bench will also take up any cases related to the abuse of minorities. The said rulings were made in the detailed judgment on a suo moto case pertaining to the suicide bombing attack on a church in Peshawar in September, 2013.

Although the CJ has ordered the formation of a National Council of Minority Rights the fact is - extremism is on the rise and especially when blasphemy laws are still on the statute book. If we observe the past practice of the government, it is difficult to say whether government will take interest immediately to implement the order. The past practice is minority faith groups including Christians, are frequently targeted and the misuse of the blasphemy laws in particular has been blamed for increasing inter-religious tensions across the country. And Pakistan was also named the sixth most violent place for Christians to live by leading persecution charity Open Doors. [Blog Editor: Actually the Open Doors WWL has Pakistan at number 8. I am guessing Shamim’s source for 6^th as a persecutor of Christians comes from Carey Lodge writing ChristianToday.com.]

Pakistani Christians have welcomed the CJ orders but ground reality is totally different. We've viewed the past practice of the Pakistani government and society, in this situation we can only hope that after clear and cogent instruction from the CJ, the Pakistani government especially during the PML-N ruling takes positive steps towards making minorities feel secure in the country.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

__________________________

Pakistani Christians Doomed to Oppression under Islamic Rule of Law

John R. Houk

© June 28, 2014

_______________________

Care for Christians in Pakistan

Shamim’s report is an edited version by John R. Houk

All links and text enclosed brackets are from 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.

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