Luck – A Shamim Mahmood Email

Intro by John R. Houk, Blog Editor

Intro © July 21, 2026

 

²⁴ The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. -- Proverbs 18: 24 AMPC

 

On July 9, I posted an email from Shamim Mahmood on my Blogs – HERE’S THE SUBSTACK VERSION. I shared how Shamim was my info conduit about the horrible treatment and persecution of Christians in Pakistan. You can go to that post for ways of reading some of those posts which stretch over a decade in a timeframe.

PHOTO: Shamim Mahmood writing as Shamim Masih 2/6/16 (From SlantRight 2.0 posted 2/10/16)

 

I had asked Shamim to share his journey which has led him to reside in the USA for his own personal safety. Shamim has indicated he will share his journey in what he calls a Chapter form. Below is one of those chapters in which his Email Subject is “LUCK”.

 

JRH 7/21/26

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LUCK

 

By Shamim Mahmood

Originally Sent: July 16, 2026 8:55 PM

 

I don't know whether it is appropriate to share all of this with everyone, but I have decided to say it anyway.

 

I often feel that I am not where I am supposed to be in life, and that what I am doing does not truly match my temperament or aspirations. I often wonder about those people who seem to receive opportunities at the right time and achieve their goals when it matters most. As for me, it seems that my destiny has been one of constant struggle, and I do not know how much longer that journey will continue.

 

Being born into a poor family meant that the only way to move forward was through relentless hard work. On top of that, being a follower of a minority religion in an Islamic country meant having to work twice as hard as the average person just to achieve the same opportunities. That has been my reality throughout life.

 

Although I eventually made it to the United States at the age of fifty—a significant achievement for someone from Pakistan—I found myself facing challenges I had never imagined. I don’t mind to do anything but of course, adapting to a completely different environment, culture, social norms, and way of life, while living alone, has made life feel more like something to endure than to truly live.

 

(Before describing my present circumstances, let me first share a little about my past.)

 

Despite earning a bachelor's degree, I was not able to secure a suitable job. For seven years, I worked in a low-level position under a supervisor who was less educated than I was. I tolerated unfair treatment in the hope that my dedication would eventually earn me a promotion, but that day never came.

 

During that time, I tried to change my circumstances, but fate seemed unwilling to cooperate. Since life appeared determined to challenge me, I decided to confront those challenges head-on.

 

Eventually, I found a position in a private company. At first, everything seemed promising. However, in Pakistan, it often feels as though whenever a private business begins to succeed, government regulations and bureaucratic obstacles start to emerge. Ordinary workers are usually the first to suffer the consequences, and people like me, at the lower end of the professional ladder, are affected the most. That is exactly what happened.

 

The next few years were spent trying to recover. Just as things began to improve, another setback struck, and several more years were lost dealing with yet another crisis. During those difficult times, I saw people's true faces. Even so, I never confronted anyone or reminded them of what I had done for them. What I have never understood is why people are so quick to point out what others owe them, yet so easily forget the kindness and support they themselves have received.

 

Nevertheless, I gathered my courage once again and tried to put my life back on track. What I endured during that period is beyond words. (If the opportunity arises, I will write about those experiences separately.)

 

After several years of hard work, life gradually became more stable, but prosperity remained out of reach. It always felt as though whenever I managed to cover one need, another was left unattended.

 

After nearly ten to twelve years of relentless effort without achieving the breakthrough I had hoped for, I decided to try my luck abroad. Having worked in the diplomatic community for several years, obtaining a U.S. visa was still difficult. And, meeting all the financial and procedural requirements of the visa process was a significant challenge.

 

Whether it was negligence on my part or simply the burden of trying to manage the expenses, I was unable to obtain visas for my children. I did, however, secure my own visa. Four years ago, I left for the United States in search of a better future—a journey that is still continuing today. There is a story about my experiences in the US. (Continue) …

 

Shamim Mahmood

Add Insult to Injury

Shamim Masih is a Christian Pakistani Human Rights activist and journalist. In this submission not only talks about the continuing cruel persecution of Christians in Pakistan but also highlights the plight of Pakistani Christians fleeing Pakistan being abused in Thailand. The fleeing Christians are tossed into Thai prisons and treated in nearly the same conditions Jews suffered in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Below is a video that sums up Pakistani Christian persecution in their homeland and continued persecution experienced as fleeing refugees:

VIDEO: “THE HIDDEN TRUTH” Pakistani Christians in Thailand IDC jail by VOPCAR

Posted by Shakeel Maqbool Malik 

Published on Mar 27, 2015

JRH 1/12/16

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Add Insult to Injury

Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 1/11/2016 4:57 AM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is predominantly a Muslim country with its 97 percent of population adhering to Islam and the religious minorities make just a fraction of the population with varying estimates a few percent of the total population. The Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed the rights and protection of the all its citizens. Pakistan’s Founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, apparently promised freedom for the other religious minorities in his address to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 and Christians along with other religious minorities agreed and believed his promise. But unfortunately it didn’t come true and Pakistan is now not known as a responsible democracy. Recently many banned organization have been openly speaking against the rival sects, and other religions, resulting in the murder of many innocents from religious minorities. Pakistan has had a growing hatred problem and most of it is being driven from within the urban/semi-urban centers. Although Article 20 of the constitution deals with the “Freedom” to profess religion and to manage religious institutions and 36 is about the protection of minorities and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities but the unfortunate reality is it has gone worse because of the growing violence against the religious minorities in Pakistan.

Based on the 10 incidents which took place in one month (October 2015), only in Punjab, USCIRF urged the U.S. State Department to enlist Pakistan among nine nations as “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) – a designation for those nations considered to be the worst violators of religious freedom. These include governments that “engage in or tolerate” systematic ongoing and unspeakable violations of religious freedom.

In the recent years, attacks on religious minorities have increased. Pakistan Islamic persecution of Christian’s may not be on the level of ISIS; nonetheless it is still quite horrific. The long sufferings in the country have been worsened by a sense of deprivation among the locals, and an inclusive political system is unable to achieve sustainable peace and stability. Thus many Christian families like Hindus have fled to other countries seeking protection and rights to live like other human beings. But this is very unfortunate that Pakistani Christians are not being welcomed in Europe like the EU welcomed million Muslims.

Samina Faisal – Pakistani Christian

According to BPCA, Samina, a Christian woman who had fled violence-ridden Karachi and sought refuge in Thailand. Samina died on Christmas Eve after she was arrested after her visa expired. She was arrested as part of an ongoing wave of arrests of foreigners deemed to have overstayed their visa and was detained in horrific conditions. Most Pakistani Christians, asylum seekers who were given that status by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR), but because Thailand refuses to sign the relevant Refugee Protocols that most other nations have, it does not recognize that status, and treats such Pakistani Christians as illegal immigrants. Therefore thousands of Pakistani Christians are either living in prisons or hiding places and if found are badly treated.

While I am writing this story, another man, Bashir Masih, reportedly died there. Sources confirmed that there are more than 200 people still in the lock ups. And many more are living a miserable life in hidden places fearing arrest at any time. Australia, Canada and many European countries have granted immigration visas to thousands of Pakistani and Afghans in the recent years. But the visa applications of Christians are turned down in thousands in the last year - 2015. In fact these applications are rejected without citing any convincing reasons, in fact many of the reasons [based] on frivolous grounds, which surprisingly cannot be challenged at any forum. Will the situation remain the same for Pakistani Christians?

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

All links are by the Editor. Text embraced by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Global Massacre and its Root Cause

Shamim Masih begins by talking about the recent Islamic terrorism in Paris then proceeds this is the normal state of mind in his home nation of Pakistan among Muslims.

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

JRH 11/25/15

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Global Massacre and its Root Cause

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 11/22/2015 1:11 AM

ISLAMABAD: After the recent Paris, attack, I had a chance to speak on a TV live show on Roze TV [RozeTV.com], “Debate with Nasir” [Shamim in Urdu 11/14/15]. I was among the three panelists, one political analyst Jan Achakzi [APNA.tv and Wikipedia] and another was a journalist. Unfortunately instead of criticizing those attacks in Paris and this type of terror activities in the world, those two were arguing in the favor of terrorist and giving reasons.

Since I am writing, my struggle is against this mind set, it is not a matter or fight against Islam or its terrorist organizations like Al-Qaida, Taliban, ISIS, Laskher-e-Tiybba, Jeshe-e-Mohammad, etc., etc. We are fighting against the mind set and its proclamation. Though it is said that every Muslim is not terrorist and not directly involved in these organizations, however most of them are having the same mind set. We are a witness to many incidents/persecutions against minorities in my country. In Pakistan the discriminatory activities against the marginalized portion of the society clearly shows the mindset of the Islamic proclamation.

Since 9/11 attacks in USA there are a series of attacks in different areas and subsequently attacks on the bases of those organizations in the world. Many of the people give baseless excuses but forget that in every act [the] tool is from the Muslim faith. I want to ask them why Muslims are involved in these type of activities around the world, in Philistine [Blog Editor: I’m fairly certain Shamim means Palestine], Kashmir, some African countries, Middle East and other parts of the world. (Genesis 16:11-12 [NKJV - Referencing Ishmael]) Europeans and Americans have to think before doing any humanitarian activity for Muslims, like taking in these Syrian and Egyptian refugees. Muslims are enjoying every single right in the name of humanity but not ready to give liberty to other religions in their countries. They (Muslims) go and preach Islam in another country but don’t allow [others] to read the Bible in Saudi Arabia.

 

We have seen this practice and one Muslim religious scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamidi [Wikipedia – Blog Editor: Interestingly Ghamidi’s endorsement of violent Jihad is related fighting against oppression and unbelievers. Oppression is fought by keeping order; meaning Islamic Supremacism and unbelievers ruling over Muslims. Interesting reads HERE and HERE] endorsed and gave the solid root cause of these terrorist activities. Javed Ahmad Ghamidi said that the root cause of terrorism that is being committed by some Muslims today is the religious thought which is being preached in the Muslim madrassas [Merriam-Webster] and being propagated through their political movements. Almost every single madrassa and religious scholar is teaching the four main doctrines of their religious thought. They may not be doing it publicly, but they are doing it nevertheless – they surely are!

First: polytheism, kuffar [Wikipedia], or apostasy (someone who abandons Islam) committed anywhere in the world, they are all punishable by death [WikiIslam, Religion of Peace and Answering-Islam] and we [i.e. the Muslims] have the right to implement this punishment.

Secondly: they preach that non-Muslims were born to be subjugated [Breaking Israel News, Political Islam and Raymond Ibrahim]. None other than Muslims have the right to govern. And if there is someone ruling, every non-Muslim government is illegitimate. We shall overthrow any such government whenever we have the capacity.

The third teaching is that all the Muslims of the world should be under the rule of a single Islamic government that is called The Caliphate [Wikipedia, BBC and Julia Voelker McQuaid]. [Even] Their independent states have no legitimacy.

The fourth doctrine is that the modern nation state is the form of kuffar and there is no room in Islam for it.

These are the four basic tenets of current religious thought. The Pakistani government and its citizens should confront the current religious thought, this religious narrative.

It is to appreciate that the education system of the religious seminaries (madrassas) violate a humans’ rights.  Any specialized education in any discipline cannot be forced onto a child. It is the right, the very basic right, of every child to have twelve years of broad based education. Thereafter, he may choose to become a scholar or a scientist. Every Muslim religious seminary works on the principle of transforming a 5-7 years old child into a religious scholar. No one has the right to do this; or to force them to become a doctor or an engineer.

After a broad based education of 12 years, [Muslims], many choose to become whatever they may wish to. This practice must be abandoned. For this to take effect the civil society must prepare itself and people must educate themselves.

The Muslims government must be pressurized not to allow any institution to take students for specialization before twelve years of broad based education. Or we need to draw a line before any humanitarian activities.  

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

Text or links embraced by brackets are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Racist will Remain Alive and Well Groom in Pakistan

Mumtaz Qadri right

News from Pakistan: In 2011 Mumtaz Qadri (Taseer’s body guard) assassinated the Punjab Governor Salman Taseer because of the Governor’s support for Blasphemy Law reform and supporting that a pardon occur for Asia Bibi (still in jail and See HERE) convicted with a death sentence for violating the same Blasphemy Law. This important to know because Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court upheld Qadri’s conviction but threw out the part of the conviction that violated Pakistan’s section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA or 7ATA – 1997, 2014 and 2015).

Shamim Masih has a sense that throwing out the terrorist portion of the original conviction could lead to a successful appeal for Mumtaz Qadri. If Shamim is correct then that would be a travesty of justice especially since Pakistani-Christians endured yet another Muslim homicidal-suicide attack on two of their Churches on Sunday (Pakistan Time) killing 15 people.

JRH 3/15/15

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Racist will Remain Alive and Well Groom in Pakistan

IHC Saved Qadri’s Skin

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 3/15/2015 1:33 AM

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on March 09, 2015 verdict on Mumtaz Qadri case upholding his conviction under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on killing the former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. A two member bench comprising Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui dismissed the appeal. The ruling by the IHC was a surprise in two ways:

A): many had expected the killer’s sentence might be reduced amid growing threats to lawyers and judges hearing blasphemy-related cases.

B): Many believe that the IHC has saved Qadri skin while upholding the conviction of Mumtaz Qadri under section 302 and 7ATA void.

The bench had reserved the judgment on February 11 after advocate general Islamabad Mian Abdul Rauf, the prosecutor in the case, and Qadri’s counsels, including former Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif and retired Justice Mian Nazeer – concluded their arguments. I am quite surprised that when people like former Chief Justice LHC and Justice retired Mian Nazeer will remain in back of the racialist like Mumtaz Qadri, how can this society be changed. Certainly racists [are] alive and well groomed in Pakistan. I can’t say anything against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui because he is a sitting judge. However he is reportedly the same person, who has been seen kissing and garlanding the killer of Salman Taseer. The blasphemy law has been extensively misused not only to target the minorities but also by Muslims against Muslims to settle personal scores. Even former Federal Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq admitted in November 2005 that the blasphemy law was being misused and expressed the government’s desire to bring amendments to it. Hundreds of the innocent people had been imprisoned, forced to flee the country or killed by extremists under the pretext of punishing blasphemers. One known Christian Gulshan Masih from the capital was forced to flee when he was accused of blasphemy. According to the sources FIR 96/12 was registered against him because he has been supporting the Shahbaz Bhatti case, which was killed, right out of his residence in I-8 Sector in Islamabad. Bhatti was killed for supporting Asia Bibi and Salman Taseer was killed for supporting Asia Bibi as well. Sources confirm that he is now seeking asylum in some other European country, probably Denmark. Gulshan has reportedly been supporting the construction of the Church in Central Jail Adyala, Rawalpindi.

Within minutes of the verdict, a celebration was seen in IHC premises where supporters distributed sweetmeats and they shared their joy. Their happiness was shared by those who defended Mumtaz Qadri in the court. When the IHC upheld the murder cases against Qadri for killing former governor Salman Taseer, his lawyers were happy that the terrorism charges against Qadri had been dropped. Qadri was employed to provide security to Taseer, killed the latter in January 2011 in Kohsar Market, Islamabad, where hundreds of the people saved their lives hiding when shot him. He was convicted by the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in October the same year, under both section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and under section 302 of Pakistan Penal code respectively. The IHC division bench set aside his conviction under section 7 of the ATA but uphold the death sentence under 302 of the PPC. I don’t know the definition of 7ATA, but certainly it was reported that hundreds of the people have saved their lives in hiding themselves when Qadri was firing in the day light. This means that Qadri is guilty of murder but not terrorism. Some of them even made impromptu, fiery speeches and chanted slogans in favor of Taseer’s killer. I am not an expert in covering crime cases but certainly facing the same situation in the country know that the Qadri team could appeal that his trial had been an unfairly one – the trial had been carried out in the ATC although now Qadri is no longer charged with a terrorist act. Qadri’s lawyers can request the Court to retrial as the ATC cannot try ordinary murder cases. They actually played technically, if the ATA remains in the case, it may be transferred to the military Court. The future will be that the team will go to the Supreme Court to appeal that this conviction and death sentence had been upheld. I don’t know [if] the government lawyers of Salman Taseer’s family would appeal the decision or challenging the order. Legal experts also pointed out the loopholes that will work to Qadri’s advantage with this judgment. They said that the conviction under only the PPC (not the terrorism law) means that Qadri was now guilty of a compoundable offence. They pointed out the Qadri could go free if the Taseer family pardoned him or go for life imprisonment and after few years he will be free. A senior law officer of the federal government, on the condition of anonymity, predicted that there were few changes of the government going into appeal. Normally lawyers are reluctant to appear in these [cases]. I am afraid and keeping in view of the present situation can predict that the Courts will drop the ATA charges against the Shahbaz Bhatti case in one day or other.

                    

Most of my past articles and story intimate that the only hope for religious minorities in Pakistan is for all religious faiths including the Sunni majority learn to accept each other in harmonious tolerance regardless of religious differences. AND in most cases I would agree to mutual tolerance; however the problem I have is that Islamic revered writings specifically encourages violence up to and including death to all unbelievers (define as kafir in Islam) who refuse to subject and submit their beliefs to Islamic Supremacy. On a personal level then I am not going to tolerate a religious faith that will not tolerate my faith just because I refuse to shut up about Jesus Christ being the Son of God. I have always been writing that we want to bring change not only in the constitution but also want to change the mindset. It not Islam we are against but the Islamophobia. At least the justice system should be transparent and fair so that deprived portion in the society can live without fear from [all] sides. Minorities will always live under constant fear either to be killed by extremists under the pretext of punishing blasphemers or in the Courts.

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 enclosed by brackets are by the Editor

© Shamim Masih

Islamophobia

Intro to ‘Islamophobia’

Edited by John R. Houk

Intro © March 10, 2015

This editorial by Shamim Masih is actually entitled “Status of Religious Freedom in Pakistan”. However the subject line of the email was “Islamophobia” so I went with that title whether intended or not.

As I read Shamim’s editorial I became intrigued to the reason for the Islamophobia subject line. The editorial emphasizes the Civil Rights and Human Rights violations that the Muslim community and politics of Pakistan continuously inflicts upon Christians and other religious minorities in the Sunni majority nation.

Islamophobia is typically the negative intoned accusation leveled against those that at worst hate Muslims and at best those like myself that views Islam as a threat to Western culture and an enemy of Judaism and Christianity in particularly.

The irony is “Islamophobia” more literally means an unnatural fear of Islam rather than the hatred of the Muslim practitioners of that theopolitical religion. In my case, I do not hate or fear Muslims. BUT I do regard the principles and dogmas of the Quran, Hadith, Sira and how that all affects the Muslim respect for Sharia Law as an innate human evil programmed into the mindset of its followers.

Most of Shamim’s past articles and editorials intimate that the only hope for religious minorities in Pakistan is for all religious faiths including the Sunni majority learn to accept each other in harmonious tolerance regardless of religious differences. AND in most cases I would agree to mutual tolerance; however the problem I have is that Islamic revered writings specifically encourages violence up to and including death to all unbelievers (define as kafir in Islam) who refuse to subject and submit their beliefs to Islamic Supremacy. On a personal level then I am not going to tolerate a religious faith that will not tolerate my faith just because I refuse to shut up about Jesus Christ being the Son of God.

JRH 3/10/15

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Islamophobia

Status of Religious Freedom in Pakistan

By Shamim Masih

Sent 3/9/2015 9:06 PM

ISLAMABAD: On the third death anniversary of my mother, we arranged a prayer meeting in our house, where only our family members participated. As we were praying, somebody knocked at the door like he wanted to break it up at once. I went outside and found that our landlord was there. At once, he started shouting, why are you people praying at home, it is not church etc., etc. I humbly clarified that I knew it was not a Church and we didn’t invite other people to pray. It’s our family prayer meeting as it is my mother’s death anniversary. So we gathered in tribute to her [memory]. He strictly cautioned me not to do this again in the house. All the services should be performed in the Churches. This is just one example, there are many like this. Restrictions on building new Churches, registering a new Church based organization etc. even in Islamabad. There are only two properly constructed churches, while there are thousands of the mosques and madrassas (seminary). Reportedly, it is mentioned in the map of Islamabad, there should be one Church in each sector of the capital. But the Capital Development Authority [CDA] doesn’t allow you [Christians] build a Church in the capital.

   

Despite the first democratic transfer of power in the country’s history, from one civilian government to another, the exceedingly poor religious freedom environment worsened. Recent and previous rulers engaged in and tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief. Despite democratic institutions, Pakistan’s legal environment is particularly repressive due to its blasphemy laws and other religiously discriminatory legislation and constitutional provisions. Authorities failed to protect citizens, minority and majority alike, from the sectarian and religiously –motivated violence and courts have not consistently brought perpetrators to justice or taken action against societal actors who incite violence. There are many examples to it. I will just quote one, i.e. two years past when hundreds of the Christian houses in Joseph Colony were burnt. During this particular case, only Sawan Masih [Dawn.com] was sentenced to death but the rest of the perpetrators were set free to go for others [i.e. Christians].

Unfortunately Pakistani religious minorities are facing the worst situation in the world for religious freedom. In the past few years, conditions hit an all-time low due to chronic sectarian violence targeting not only Shia’s Muslims but also Christians, Ahmadis and Hindus. Pakistan’s repressive blasphemy laws and anti-Ahmadi laws are widely used to violate the religious freedoms and foster a climate of impunity. During 2014, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCRIF) again recommended that Pakistan be designated as a “country of particular concern” (CPC).

Muslims not only from Pakistan but from Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Syria and everywhere else have done enough to deserve hatred. They have been killing innocent children, attacked schools, burnt Christian villages, torn down Hindu temples, mutilated journalists, shunned scientific laws and flogged enough bloggers for free thinking to deserve this acrimony all around the world. Many of them claim that version of Islam is peaceful, a version that promotes brotherhood and peace. Unfortunately, that version of Islam is only found in books now.

Pakistani Christians live under the fear of religion, our churches, our kids and our lives are not secure. Converting to another religion is out of the question. Honestly speaking, at this very moment, Pakistan is not fit for Shia Muslims or non-Muslims alike. We are not against Islam but against this Mullaism*** (Islamophobia). 

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

[***Blog Editor – Mullaism: I had to get a handle on Shamim’s concept of “Mullaism”. Here are some excerpts from three different websites that might be what Shamim had in mind:

Join us to stop religious harassments and terrorism in Pakistan, so that our country can move forward with peace and prosperity. (Stop Mullaism & Religious Terrorism In Pakistan; About Page; Facebook Community)

Mullaism is an industry in Pakistan. If the Mullahs reform themselves then their madrassa incomes and Saudi donations would stop. They do not want to be penniless after all. Their influence has been strong even in liberal times. During President Ayub khan’s rule from 1958 to 1968, he wanted to get rid of the word “Islamic” attached to Pakistan’s name in the constitution. This was opposed by the Mullahs who warned the President to refrain from doing so or face consequences. The President cowed down before them.  Ayub khan also wanted the role of Mullahs to be restricted to mosques. Sadly, he could not do this. (Do Mullahs Represent Islam? By Farooq Ahmad Khan; Pak Tea House; 6/3/12)

Kashmiryat - the lofty notion of belonging to one region - flourished by Kashmiris, irrespective of their faith, for centuries despite gravest provocations lies bruised in the wake of the current phase of secessionism in the Valley. Terrorist outfits groomed by the Jamaat- e-Islami (Jamaat) have outwitted those who professed their allegiance to secularism.

The Jamaat presents Islam as a political ideology - and not as religious pedagogy concerned only with the relationship between man and God. Abul Ala Maududi, the founder of the Jamaat, had no hesitation in making it explicit that Islam was a political ideology comparable to Communism and Fascism. According to him, it covered all departments of life, whether private or public.

The Jamaat also presents Islam as a creed whose mission is to fight all other creeds because it believes Islam to be the only true creed - all other creeds being flawed or false. Maududi reasoned that just as God has made the laws that govern physical nature, He has also made laws that govern social relations. The first set of laws can be ascertained by observation and experimentation. But God conveys the second set of laws concerning man's duties towards God and his fellow human beings only through revelations. Accordingly, divine messages have been transmitted to mankind from time to time through prophets.

…

Another feature of Maududi's ideology is that he singles out secularism as the chief adversary of Islam. He argues that secularism makes a distinction between the personal life of an individual and his public life, and banishes religion from the latter. Hence, anyone who believes in secularism will inevitably allow his secular values to influence his social, political and economic behaviour and thus violate the teachings of Islam, which draw no line between the domain of the spirit and that of the flesh.

Some ideologues of the Jamaat go a step further and argue that secularism is the road that leads to atheism because when you separate your personal beliefs from your social and political principles, the latter develop their own momentum and eventually dominate the former.

The Jamaat is not only communal in its outlook, it teaches militancy as well. Communalism of a minority community often centres on grievances of a political or economic nature and tends to be paranoid.

The Jamaat brand of communalism, however, is not concerned about immediate or short-term gains for the community. It projects Islam as an ideology and calls upon Muslims to organise themselves into a revolutionary party with the object of capturing total power. It is not bothered about jobs for Muslims or for a share in the power pie. On the contrary, the Jamaat requires its members not to hold any office under an unholy political system or alliance.

Maududi was the first noteworthy religious figure in the history of Indian Islam to propound the thesis that the supreme purpose of Islam is not the spiritual salvation of mankind; but to establish the sovereignty of God on earth or an Islamic state. All other purposes are secondary and subordinate to that of establishing an Islamic state. Before launching the Jamaat, he did a great deal of preparatory work which … There is MORE (Mullaism; Kashmiri Overseas Association)

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Edited by John R. Houk

Text or links enclosed by brackets are by the Editor

© Shamim Masih