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Sharia Allows Muslims Rape in Pakistan
John R. Houk
© June 16, 2013
Kainat Soomro in 2007 was raped by her fellow co-religionist Muslims at the age of 13. Indeed she was raped by four Muslim men as she was returning home. I read in one place she was returning from school and in another she was returning with a gift for her niece. The salient point is that no matter where Kainat was walking home from, she was raped by four Muslims, two of which were a father and son team.
The community that Kainat lived in ordered that she be put to death because the family honor was defiled. The death sentence was to be carried out by a family member. Typically in Muslim honor killings such execution is handed out be the father or brother in the family but really any family member is eligible to avenge the family honor by killing a victim of rape rather than going to the criminals who raped her to at least use the rule of law to send them to prison and at worst exact revenge on the perpetrators.
Kainat’s tortured life is a snapshot to expect of a growing Muslim immigrant population in America. This is the case especially case among Muslims demanding the U.S. government to allow the practice of Sharia Law in America. Sharia Law contradicts American rule of law as embodied in the U.S. Constitution.
The reason Kainat Soomro is back in the news is that a documentary was made exposing the shame of Islam about honor killing. In this case the nation is Pakistan.
VIDEO: FRONTLINE | Preview “Outlawed in Pakistan” | PBS
I was alerted by Kainat’s continuing plight in Pakistan by the Clarion Project.
JRH 6/16/13
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Girl Gang Raped in Pakistan: Dares to Fight for Justice
A new film follows the harrowing true ordeal of a Pakistani family who dared to fight for justice after their daughter was gang raped.
June 6, 2013
When a girl was gang raped by four men at the age of 13, her village in Pakistan identified her as a “black virgin” and ordered her killed.
In the rural village of Dadu in southern Pakistan, tradition held that Kainat Soomro’s own family should murder her, as her sexual assault had made her a token of disgrace. Four years later, Kainat is alive and a documentary about her story premiered on television in the United States last week. That does not mean that she or her family is safe.
The film, Outlawed in Pakistan, shows how Kainat Soomro is still “destined to be killed” because she took the extraordinary step in Pakistan of fighting for justice. The film is a testament to her family’s strength and endurance in a life which has only become more difficult the longer they have stood up against tradition.
The Soomros have faced isolation, fear and intimidation from the four men Kainat accused of raping her, and from the members of the small village who were afraid of challenging moral laws which have been in existence for centuries. By the mere fact of having made the accusation of rape, Kainat is an outlaw in her own country.
The film, which was first screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, retells the story of the young girl’s attack while walking home from school down a narrow village street by a shop where Kainat says the owner, Shaban Saikh, and three other men — including a father and son — held her down and sexually assaulted her.
The village declared her “kari,” or a black virgin, and ordered her family to carry out an honor killing to end the shame a rape victim brings to a family, according to Pakistani culture.
The alleged rapists beat her father and one of her brothers. Her older brother went missing for three months and was later found murdered.
Kainat’s parents refused to kill their daughter and instead decided to take up her cause in a legal system which places the burden of proof on the victim.
VIDEO: Outlawed in Pakistan (trailer)
“They told me I am not a real man,” Kainat’s brother, Sabir told the film-makers, “because you failed to follow your tradition, you failed to kill your sister.”
Meanwhile, threats of death and further violence have forced the Soomros from the house they owned in Dadu to the city of Karachi, where all 18 family members now live in a two-bedroom apartment.
The men are unable to find work, so the women embroider fabrics to pay rent. They often have to resort to asking charities for food.
When Kainat attends court she undergoes a barrage of “nasty” questions, up to 300 at a time, including “what part of your clothing did you remove?” or “who raped you first.
The presiding judge is annoyed that Kainat has brought the charges and rules against her in part because she has accused a father and son of a gang rape. “In his view,” the film’s narrator says, “he said that would never happen in Pakistan” and describes Kainat’s accusations “as a product of her own fantasy.”
The men were acquitted of their crime, and, in an interview with the film makers, appear bewildered at why their accuser did not just stay at home “and keep quiet.” They see their acquittal as proof that Kainat “does not have good character. If she was a decent woman, she would have sat at home, silent.”
Even as Kainat and her family say they will fight on, perhaps for years, her lawyer suggests the future will be difficult.
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PBS Documentary: Outlawed in Pakistan
May 28, 2013
Frontline
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Sharia Allows Muslims Rape in Pakistan
John R. Houk
© June 16, 2013
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Girl Gang Raped in Pakistan: Dares to Fight for Justice
Copyright © 2013 Clarion Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
There are times that require people to step out of their comfort zone, to step up for justice, tolerance and moderation. We know going in that the repercussions of taking action will draw a rain of accusations and attacks from the forces we are confronting.
We do it anyway. We do it because it must be done.
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Outlawed in Pakistan
About Frontline:
Since 1983, FRONTLINE has served as American public television’s flagship public affairs series. Hailed upon its debut on PBS as “the last best hope for broadcast documentaries,” FRONTLINE’s stature over 30 seasons is reaffirmed each week through incisive documentaries covering the scope and complexity of the human experience.
When FRONTLINE was born, however, the prospects for television news documentaries looked grim. Pressure was on network news departments to become profitable, and the spirit of outspoken journalistic inquiry established by programs like Edward R. Murrow’s See It Now and Harvest of Shame had given way to entertainment values and feature-filled magazine shows. Therefore, it fell to public television to pick up the torch of public affairs and carry on this well-established broadcast news tradition.
Since its inception, FRONTLINE has never shied away from tough, controversial issues or complex stories. In an age of anchor celebrities and snappy sound bites, FRONTLINE remains committed to providing a primetime venue for engaging reports that fully explore and illuminate the critical issues of our times. In the … Read the Rest
Leaders fear more violence against Christians
Intro: Leaders fear more violence against Christians
John R. Houk
© June 4, 2013
Evidently the last election cycle in Pakistan has placed a government in place that will increase the yoke of bondage among Pakistani Christians. Christian leaders in Pakistan are so fearful of the situation that they are exploring possibilities for a Christian exodus to nations in which Christianity predominates. In my mind that means Western nations and probably the USA is at the top of that list.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) political party came to power after the recent 2013 elections in Pakistan. The Party leader Nawaz Sharif apparent Islamic religious views fall to the purist (i.e. Radical Islam) side of Islam. This means religious minorities in Pakistan can expect a rough ride because of this. Since Christians are often viewed as the lowest form of existence among Pakistani minorities that means Believers in the Resurrection and accompanying Salvation in Christ Jesus have a target for persecution and exploitation on their heads in Pakistan.
Check out this excerpt from Martin Barillas writing for Spero News about Pakistani Christians:
After the recent elections that brought to power the “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz” (PML-N) party and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, many Christians are skeptical. In a recent conference held in Lahore, a group of Christian leaders said that Pakistani Christians are worried about the future.
Among their concerns is the prosection (sic) of Pakistan’s Muslim blasphemy laws, which are often used to persecute Christian minorities. Nadeem Anthony, a Christian lawyer, told the Fides news agency, “The majority of Christians do not have high hopes in Sharif’s future government because of his religious conservative approach and links with fundamentalist groups. Sharif was also in favor of the blasphemy law, which is a major cause of problems for Christians in Pakistan,” he recalls.
…
Christians note that perpetrators of anti-Christian violence apparently act with impunity in the majority Muslim country. Following the 2009 affray [SlantRight Editor: See this Christianity Today article to see what happened in 2009], only 17 people were charged with murder and another 113 charges with aiding in the massacre. All were released within a few months. “The witnesses were systematically intimidated and silenced,” said Peter Jacob of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan. (Read Entirety; 6/3/13)
Shamim Masih is a Pakistani Christian journalist in Pakistan. He shares the underlying fears growing among Pakistani Christians because the PML-N in the 2013 elections.
JRH 6/4/13
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Leaders fear more violence against Christians
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 6/3/2013 2:03 PM
Lahore: Joseph Francis, International Director, CLAAS, said in a press conference here today that Pakistani Christians are in great fear to face more violence and torture during the next government of PML-N.
In the press conference at Lahore Press Club, Joseph Francis said that “we are afraid that during the PML-N rule, Pakistani Christians will face more violence as they have faced similar situation in the past during PML-N government. Gojra, Korian and Joseph Colony incidents were being planned by the fanatics and supported by PML-N leadership”, he alleged.
Talking to the media, Martin Javed Michel blamed that Joseph Colony incident was backed by PML-N leaders Malik Riaz, Chaudhry Shehbaz, Dr. Asad Ashraf, Ghazali Saleem Butt and Mushtaq Mughal and it was reported to the police as well. “But unfortunately, Premier Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif have not taken any notice against them and the same leaders are in the ruling elite and will create more problems for Christians“. He said, “we are Pakistanis since our forefathers and have been faithful to the country but unluckily, since partition, we are being treated as second class citizen“. “If the situation remains same as it seems, then Pakistani Christians will be forced to leave the country as Hindu community left for India in the recent past“, he feared.
Joseph Francis, working for the victims for the last two decades has requested the foreign countries like Australia, Canada, America and European Union to open their gates for Pakistani Christians. He demanded the Christian countries to provide shelter for the Pakistani Christians as they are not safe in Pakistan. India opened their gates for Hindu fellows why can’t Christian counties do the same for Christians, he demanded. He demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan to form a Commission for fact finding of the Joseph Colony incident and culprits should be punished.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
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Intro: Leaders fear more violence against Christians
John R. Houk
© June 4, 2013
__________________________
Leaders fear more violence against Christians
Shamim Masih
Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist
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Pakistan Elections 2013
Nawaz Sharif
John R. Houk
© May 14, 2013
Pakistan had its elections on May 11, 2013. Clearly the winning political party is Pakistan Muslim League – N (PML-N [The “N” stands for Nawaz]) meaning the new Prime Minister in Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif.
It appears that Nawaz favors a Free Market but is an adherent to purist Islamic ideology that makes up Radical Islam. The Pakistan Taliban believes democracy and voting are un-Islamic practices. Mohammed Hanif writing for The Guardian wrote this about Nawaz’s PML-N his cricket turned politician rival Imran Khan of Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI or Movement for Justice Party)
The Taliban’s real success is that they bet on the winners. They promised not to attack Khan and Sharif’s parties. And these parties will be in power. But the Taliban have never contested an election before. And they are soon to find out that politicians never keep the promises they make during the heat of the campaign. (Pakistan elections: how Nawaz Sharif beat Imran Khan and what happens next; By Mohammed Hanif; The Guardian, 5/13/13 14:00 EDT)
Nawaz has said he desires better relations with the USA and arch-rival India. Imran has said he desires to dissolve all military cooperation with American led forces in Afghanistan and ALSO to end the Pakistan government’s war against the Pakistani Taliban.
It is my opinion not to trust a self-proclaimed Islamist like Nawaz and at least Imran is upfront about his hatred for the kafir (i.e. infidel or in this case Americans).
Shamim Masih – my source from Pakistan – is a Christian and I believe he supported the major loosing political party – Pakistan’s Peoples Party (PPP). Shamim has written favorably about at least one PPP candidate that appeared to demonstrate concern of the persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
JRH 5/14/13
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Election 2013
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 5/13/2013 2:39 PM
Christians congratulate the nation for the successful completion of parliamentary elections and would work with newly elected government for the prosperity of the country. Shamim Masih, President Reformation for Empowerment and Alleviation of Poverty – REAP and a journalist, while congratulating PML-N party’s victory in the general election 2013 has demanded the party head Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to protect minorities’ rights as he has committed during his election campaign.
Pakistani Christians religiously and historically have proven to be loyal to their land and always have been subservient to its governments. It’s every Christian’s religious obligation to be obedient to masters.
As it is written in the Bible; “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things; not answering again”. Titus 2:9 It is further written “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward”. 1-Peter 2:8
The previous government was busy in their luxurious life of being in Government and sidelined the religious minorities and I hope the PML-N government will restore the ministry of Minorities Affairs which was transformed into Ministry of National Harmony which was established in 2011.
The Social Rights activists’ organizations welcome the coming government, World Vision in Progress – WVIP representative said we hope that PML-N will stop the misuse of blasphemy laws and forced conversion.
Albert David, Chairman Pakistan United Christian Movement (PUCM) has launched its candidates in this election said that minority candidates are elected under proportional representation system, but minority voters cast votes for Muslim candidates running for national and provincial constituencies. PUCM chief demanded PML-N chief will ensure equal opportunities for members of minority communities.
Basharat Khokhar, a human rights activist said that our community is already living below the poverty line, and when someone forces them to join their rally by showing them a gun, they give in. He urged that successful minority candidates in the actively advance minority’s interest instead of towing their respective parties’ line.
Tariq Chaman, president Union of Minority Journalist of Islamabad/Rawalpindi congratulated the PML-N chief and he wants Christians to be given proper jobs in government departments and not that of a sweeper. He further vows that when Mian Sharif expressed his willingness to take all parties on board but stopped short from crediting minority voters’ contribution towards his party’s Muslim candidate success. He hoped that the history will not repeat during PML-N rule and minorities will live in peace.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
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Pakistan Elections 2013
John R. Houk
© May 14, 2013
__________________
Election 2013
Shamim Masih
Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist
Secretary General
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The Two Jinnahs of Pakistan Independence
John R. Houk
© May 5, 2013
Shamim Masih and other Pakistani minorities perceive that Pakistan’s Founding Father Muhammad Ali Jinnah – a Muslim – as championing equal rights for Pakistan’s non-Muslim minority population. On the other hand Jinnah took significant violent steps in pre-independent India/Pakistan to get the British and the Hindu-Sikh leadership to agree to a partitioned India along roughly Hindu-Muslim lines. Jinnah’s call has many names but the predominant title is “Direct Action Day.” On this day the Muslim minority of the Indian Subcontinent initiated acts of butchery aimed at Hindus and Sikhs.
On this Direct Action Day the majority Hindus wised up rapidly and back-lashed against the Muslims with an equal action of atrocity. Jinnah’s call to take action that resulted in mutual slaughtering served his purpose. It was agreed upon to separate a Muslim swath from the Hindu-Sikh majority. In cases in which large communities of Hindus resided in the Muslim areas they would re-settled in Hindu India. Muslim communities that felt threatened by the Hindu majority were re-settled in the new Pakistan. Partition led to mutual atrocities with forced population transference.
I can see little effort from Jinnah on bringing the atrocities to an end from his side of the partition; however I have no doubt that Jinnah wanted a Pakistan nation that utilized equal rights more than Shariah Law for the remaining minorities. For one thing Jinnah was a member of the Shia minority of Islamic Pakistan. Shamim points out that minority rights was in Jinnah’s mindset from the speeches he made. However, Jinnah’s early death in the first years of the Pakistan government proved to be a coffin nail in the casket of minority rights.
JRH 5/5/13
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Pakistani Christian wishes for renaissance of Jinnah’s Pakistan
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 5/2/2013 5:31 AM
Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): It remains a fact that minorities of Pakistan are crippled and damaged under an anarchy system. In the prevailing social scenario of the country the message of the founder of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah appears to be lost somewhere and the continuous hatching of conspiracies by certain elements with vested interests and nefarious designs, seems to have prevailed. Mr. Jinnah, while addressing the concerns of communities in Pakistan, very clearly said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your Churches or to any other place of worship in the state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
Before Election 2013, representatives from different political parties have reaffirmed their commitment to religious minorities and promised to work for a Pakistan where every person, regardless of caste, creed or faith, is treated equally in the day-long national consultation on the “Election 2013, Role and Responsibility of the Religious Minorities” organized by the coalition for the Rights of Minorities (CRM).
Earlier South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) arranged group discussion “Awam Chahtey Hain” and Romana Bashir, (a social activist from the Christian minority) among the panelists raised and demanded a clear policy from the mainstream political parities against hate material in the syllabus and anti-human and anti-minority laws.
According to the report, the Social Studies curriculum in Pakistan, as the product and propagator of the ‘Ideology of Pakistan,’ derives its legitimacy from a narrow set of directives.
The textbooks authored and altered during the 11 years of General Zia ul Haq’s rule are still being taught in schools. They are decidedly anti-democratic and inclined to dogmatic tirades, the report said.
It said the country’s education system had nurtured a cadre of religiously conservative youth as the Pakistan Studies curriculum employed a narrow, politicized definition of Islam in the construction of Pakistani nationalism.
Local textbooks teach students that the Hindus (of India) are backward and superstitious and given a chance, they would assert their power over the weak, especially, Muslims, depriving them of education by pouring molten lead in their ears. “Pakistan Studies textbooks are an active site to represent India as a hostile neighbor,” the report stated. “The story of Pakistan’s past is intentionally written to be distinct from, and often in direct contrast with, interpretations of history found in India. The report added that students were taught that Islam brought peace, equality, and justice to the subcontinent, to check the sinister ways of Hindus.
When I went through the Constitution of Pakistan, I was shaken to see the Constitutional discrimination against minorities. And it’s even pathetic to know that none of our Pakistani Christian leaders raised voice against it. Let’s go back and see the inaugural speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah which made clear reference to the kind of the State that he envisioned. He was unequivocal that the new state will be secular as he said that it will not differentiate its citizens on the basis of religion. Founder of Pakistan died in September 1948, way before the Assembly could make a constitution for the new country. The latter leaders pegged the constitution on Islam which many describe as a gross violation of the ideal set by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 11 August speech.
Social persecution and legal discrimination against minorities has reached at the climax point. Nationalizing Missionaries schools and colleges in 1972 was a move by Mr. Bhutto, founder of Pakistan People’s Party, PPP; thus persecution started during Bhutto’s regime. Then a military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq unleashed a wave of persecution in the 1980s, since then violence against minorities has never really ceased. Attackers kill and wound particular Christians and Ahmadis then burn their homes and businesses.
Christians and other minorities wish and expect that the reaffirmation of politicians come true and Pakistan becomes the country where all citizens shall be treated equally regardless of caste, creed or faith. Every Pakistani should take this as an initiative to stop the alienation of the religious minorities that are taking place. The government will have to address the situation at a policy level and take steps to ensure the rights of these communities. Hate speeches and exploitation of the masses under the grab of religion will have to be stopped. A combined effort is required by everyone to bring these communities back into the mainstream Pakistani identity. Their apprehensions should be addressed and they should be treated as an equal citizen. This will not only represent Islam’s message of coexistence and peace but will also form an exemplary social structure, for the whole world and fulfill the Quaid’s dream of a prosperous and peaceful Pakistani state.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
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The Two Jinnahs of Pakistan Independence
John R. Houk
© May 5, 2013
____________________
Pakistani Christian wishes for renaissance of Jinnah’s Pakistan
Editing John R. Houk
© Shamim Masih
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Secretary General
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Pakistan Blasphemy Laws Persecute Christians
John R. Houk
© April 30, 2013
I received an email from Shamim Masih regarding the Pakistani Christian Martha Bibi. She is scheduled for a court date in Lahore, Pakistan relating to – guess what? If you follow the persecution of Christians in Pakistan the answer is easy. Martha Bibi’s crime is blaspheming against Islam. Blasphemy is a death sentence in Pakistan. Blasphemy can be anything from insulting the religion of Islam, the prophet Mohammed, against Islam’s Allah, against the Quran and so on of ridiculous accusations that lead to a capital crime in Pakistan.
I had heard the name “Bibi” in one of the rare moments of the international press noticing how Muslims persecute Christians with often trumped up charges of Blasphemy. So when I went to double check on that name “Bibi” I discovered it was a different person from the news report from Shamim. The other person is Asia Bibi who has the notoriety of being the first woman convicted for a blasphemy charge with a sentence of death by hanging. Asia has been languishing in jail since November 2010 awaiting an appeal to be heard on her death sentence. I found out that Asia Bibi may get her day around the same time frame in Lahore, Pakistan as Martha Bibi.
There are a number of blasphemy legal issues facing Christians. Here are a few links that you probably will not see from Western MSM:
o PAKISTAN: YOUNIS MASIH AND MARTHA BIBI CASES IN COURT TODAY – February 27, 2013
o Prayers for blasphemy victim Christian women Asia and Martha Bibi in Bar Council – March 21, 2013
o Pakistan ‘Blasphemy’ Girl Facing Prison; Mother Death Sentence – March 23, 2013 (10:31 pm)
o Pakistan Overturns Death Sentence Of Christian; Younis Masih Released – April 3, 2013 (11:15 am)
Apparently many of the minority rights NGOs in Pakistan take turns using available money to provide legal aid to these persecuted Christians under Islamic Blasphemy Laws. Shamim points out that her current legal council is being handled by what Shamim calls World Vision in Pakistan or WVIP. I like to see what some of these NGOs do specifically because some of them may tend to slant to exploitation than actual legitimate help. I must interject that all the NGOs Shamim has been involved with appear to be on the legitimate side of the scale. Anyway, I could not find an NGO with the name World Vision in Pakistan. However, I did find an organization called World Vision in Progress (Foundation) using the same acronym WVIP. The NGO I found is focused on Pakistan so I am going to guess this is whom Shamim Masih is alluding.
Here is the email Shamim Masih has sent regarding Martha Bibi.
JRH 4/30/13
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WVIP to fight for the fate of Martha Bibi in Pakistani court
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 4/30/2013 10:23 AM
LAHORE (Shamim Masih): World Vision in Pakistan – WVIP has submitted the power of attorney in the court to defend Martha Bibi, accused of blasphemy case. A Pakistani court has fixed May 09, 2013 as the date of to hear the case of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.
According to Lazar Allah Rakha, WVIP’s lawyer penal Salvance Jacob, Nadeem Hassan and Lazar Allah Rakha has filed the power of attorney to precede the case of Martha Bibi in Lahore today on 30th April 2013.
Martha Bibi, 45, married with 6 children, accused of the blasphemy case and was arrested on January 22, 2007 under a blasphemy case registered on the application of a local Muslim, since then she is facing the trail court. Earlier CLAAS and LEAD family has been taking care of her case in the court.
She was arrested in early 2007 and later released from prison on bail, but the trial was pending in the Kasur session court. Her lawyer had moved an application for transference of her case to Lahore session court to avoid any misshape and Lahore High Court has accepted it and shifted it to Lahore court, said Allah Rakha.
The Christian human rights activist and lawyer said that WVIP has been extending “moral and financial support” to Martha and her family as well.
WVIP has urged Christian around the world to pray for “protection of Martha” and for “her deliverance from the blasphemy trial.”
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
______________________
Pakistan Blasphemy Laws Persecute Christians
John R. Houk
© April 30, 2013
_____________________
WVIP to fight for the fate of Martha Bibi in Pakistani
© Shamim Masih
Christian Rights Activist
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Christian PTI leader in trouble
Shamim Masih writes about Sajid Ishaq Sindhu a Christian leader involved in Human Rights and Political Activism in Pakistan. Sindhu is a prominent leader that has become embroiled in an adultery scandal with one Shazia Zafar. Shamim paints a scathing picture of Shazia’s extramarital affairs which her husband Zafar Iqbal accuses Sindhu of being instrumental. That which I have read so far has Sajid Ishaq Sindhu denying any accusation of impropriety; nevertheless the political party Sindhu is involved with has removed him from activity at least until the legal issues are resolved.
See Also:
PTI leader booked under ‘rape’ charges
Imran Khan’s minorities president charged with ‘aborting love child’
JRH 4/15/13
****************************
Christian PTI leader in trouble
To be and not to be
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 4/14/2013 3:21 AM
Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): During the past week, Pakistani print media has raised a disruptive issue against the PTI Christian leader [NCCR Editor: Sajid Ishaq Sindhu]. Below links will make it clear that all have upturned the issue leaving Pakistan Today – PT.
During the past time, it is observed that Pakistani media avoid raising minority issues; it is either Gojra incident or Rimsha’s blasphemy case. I do remember when Rimsha was arrested and Pakistani media stepped in second to international media, and I wrote about it as well. But when it a matter comes of character assassination, it’s active and has crossed journalist’s ethics as well. It’s not the first time but Pakistani Christians have always been facing different kind of discrimination and its one of them. Let me give you the clear picture; during the said time I remain busy with my family matters and was not in the field.
There is no marriage that is problem free. Some marriages endure the ups and downs while others unfortunately fall to one of the very many reasons for divorce. Yet, it is not always the main causes for divorce that break marriages down. In many cases the marriage partners do not actually know the reasons and when those reasons become a problem.
Regarding this case [of accusing Sajid Ishaq Sindhu] I had few of the documents earlier and before writing this story I did get the copy of the First Investigation Report [according to Google better known as First Information Report] – FIR, which said that Mr. Zafar [Iqbal] (complainant) got married to Shazia in April 27, 1998 in Sainte Thomas Church, G-7/2 Islamabad.
According to Zafar (the complainant) after one year, Shazia Zafar was found in a love affair with her colleague Moen ul Islam Saddiqui, who was manager at Prime Commercial Bank, Islamabad. After some time she was involved with another banker Asad Ali Noon, who works in Askari Bank. In 2007, Zafar found that she had relations with Sajid Ishaq (the accused) in this FIR. Zafar also claimed that he found many dirty pictures of Shazia with Asad Ali Noon. In his FIR, Zafar complained against many unknown people that were involved in this case.
Now see the links below, none of them have mentioned about these other people accused by Zafar, either they have not seen the copy of the FIR or they deliberately omit those people at the time of printing this news.
http://e.jang.com.pk/04-07-2013/pindi/pic.asp?picname=42.gif
http://www.nation.com.pk/E-Paper/Islamabad/2013-04-08/page-13/detail-1
Zafar has also submitted the telephone calls’ record as part of the prosecution’s evidence which shows that Shazia had been handling others as well during the mean time. I am not defending Sajid Ishaq nor presenting him a virtuous but giving you the facts.
The rumor was in the vicinity for the last few months as Zafar had been in the court for the custody of the daughters and separation suit against his wife Shazia for months.
Both [Sajid Ishaq and Zafar Iqbal] were acquaintances for 20 years and were aware of each other and now one of them has become legendary in position in the main stream political party – Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf – PTI and it’s clearly seen that all allegations leveled against PTI the leader is to blackmail him.
The police official also seems inclined to either the complainant or the accused or both. Because the police didn’t register the FIR during the past months and now after the PTI leader has submitted his nomination papers with the Election Commission, doubt is created.
The couple [NCCR Editor: I am guessing the couple referred to are Zafar Iqbal and his wife Shazia] has been living discretely for years, and the husband claimed that Sajid has played a pivotal role in ruining his life, but the fact written in his FIR says that they had not been leading happy life since one year of their marriage [NCCR Editor: I am uncertain if the “one year” refers the first year of their marriage or to one year out of their marriage]. His wife had been involved with other men as well. So how come he claims that only Sajid Ishaq has ruined their family life? What about Moen ul Islam Saddiqui, and Asad Ali Noon who is still with her and finally his wife? If he has been faithful to his partner and remained in the union, they would have lived a happy life. Shazia might be annoyed of his behavior or character. The case is in the court and we should wait until the court’s judgment.
I wish that the local media would always raise the minority persecution issues and should bring in the usage of constitutional discrimination against religious minorities.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
_________________________
Edited by John R. Houk
Brackets indicate editor additions or a guess of intended meaning.
Many links are added by the editor.
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What are YOU Going to Do About Christians in Pakistan?
John R. Houk
© March 21, 2013
Shamim Masih writes this message that is dripping with the blood of helpless frustration for the lot of Christians in Muslim dominated Pakistan. Shamim’s description is that of the classic dhimmi status that non-Muslims must suffer through in Pakistan (and for that matter all Muslim dominated nations).
Shamim goes on to lament of the near ZERO support Western Christians provide Christian-Pakistanis when in fact Muslim NGOs and charities are flowing with cash via Western government programs. NONE of that aid flowing to Pakistan reaches Christian-Pakistanis.
At the very end of Shamim’s message he saves a sentence for Pastor Terry Jones and his supporters. For those who do not know who Pastor Terry Jones is; he is the person that has spearheaded such activities as International Burn the Quran Day, Trial of the Quran Day, promoted the sophomoric anti-Mohammed movie trailer Innocence of Muslims and various Counterjihad events. Jones is usually decried by Leftists, Conservatives and most Counterjihad writers all alike. Jones’ critics typically would name him as a Counterjihad activist but rather as an Anti-Islam bigoted activist.
Here is the thing though. I don’t care if Jones’ antics are viewed as bigotry because I view Islam as an Anti-Christ religion. On the other hand I understand Shamim’s criticism of Terry Jones as well. Jones has gotten a lot of national and international press attention even if that attention is disseminated by a Liberal Diversity Multicultural in a negative light. Jones’ attention eventually ends up on Muslim media. As you should know by now Islam wears its feelings like a chip on the shoulder and their religious leaders go nuts that a non-Muslim/kafir like Terry Jones would dare to insult their prophet, their Allah or their holiest book the Quran. They go so nuts that if they could they would grab Terry Jones and torture him with humiliation and chop his head off.
As Shamim Masih points out, in lieu of not murdering Terry Jones in humiliation, Muslims are stirred up to take out their wrath on whatever local Christians that can be found. AND that is the reason Shamim Masih mentions Terry Jones. The life of a dhimmi Christian in Pakistan is often similar to hell on earth. If one of us Christian-Americans were stuck in Pakistan during one of these death inflicting violent Islamic temper tantrums, you and I might think we missed the rapture and was stuck through the Tribulation.
AND SO if you are one that supports Terry Jones’ First Amendment Right to disrespect an Anti-Christ religion like Islam, we must consider the Christians stuck in dhimmi-like conditions in Muslim nations. We need to begin funneling money to Christian NGOs which often act as the only Human Rights organizations that put action to alleviating the second-class citizenship persecution that Christians receive on a regular basis in Pakistan (and for that matter all Muslim dominated nations).
Western support and I should say American support, is the point of Shamim Masih’s message I am posting below.
JRH 3/21/13
*********************************
Pakistani Christians and Western Interests
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 3/20/13 2:57 PM
ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN (SHAMIM MASIH): Its general perception among Pakistani Muslims that UN, USAID, British High Commission, American Embassy, Christian diplomats and other foreigners are helping Pakistani Christians, but the reality is different. Let me give you the actual situation.
On February 6, 1997, a religiously charged mob attacked village Shantinagar, district Khanewal in which about 800 houses including churches, hostels were torched. In November 2005, in Sangla Hill, about 100 Christian houses, schools, hostels, and Christian Clinic were burnt. On 1st August 2009, Christians were attacked in Gujra and 8 persons of a family were burnt alive and about 130 houses were turned to ashes. On 30th June, 2000, Christians were attacked in village Bahnamiwala, District Kasur in which about 102 houses were destroyed. On 21st September, 2012, Church, school and Pastors residences were turned to ash. And more recently, on March 9, 2013, over 200 homes of the Christians community of Joseph Colony in Lahore were burnt.
Ironically none was punished under the law for such gory episode; these barbaric attacks have sent a grave message to the already marginalized Christians. The sense of insecurity has alarmingly grown beyond proportions. The blasphemy law has been repeatedly used for settling personal scores, religious persecution, professional rivalry and for land grabbling.
This is not the end; large numbers of Christians accused of Blasphemy cases getting their lives rusted in the jails for years and years and there is no future to their children or other family members.
I am freelance journalist, Christian by faith and a social activist working for a democratic, tolerant and progressive social order and for socio economic and political rights of religious minorities especially for the Christians of Pakistan. I have devotedly served in the field of human rights during the last decade and have been raising their issues, persecutions, and rights through my writings, without any support.
I feel very helpless and ashamed when I received phone calls and emails from Christians all around the country for help in employment, protection on threats from fundamentalists, help for their children educations etc but I can’t support them. I remain silent for hours on reading email/news of the blasphemy victims who are behind bars or acquitted from higher courts but living in hiding to save their lives. The news items of rape and enforced conversion of Christian women make me sad and silent. I went to Gojra and had travelled to Mardan, when the church burnt there and went to Karachi, when Ryan was accused of blasphemy case and have reported on Badami Bagh incident as well; I write for the people whom I have seen working on ground realities, for example, CLAAS has been working for years for the Christians persecution, WVIP is seen during the Ryan case and others as well, I have seen Sardar Mushtaq (chief of LEAD), working for persecution without any funds, Basharat Khokhar was seen during Rimsha case, and I appreciate his efforts in protecting her during the case proceedings and I have seen him struggling him for Christian rights, but there are so many other settling scores. I have seen the struggle of Albert David for unity among Pakistani Christians. I have seen Saleem Khokhar, sitting in provincial parliamentarian; he bears ground to earth personality. I am helpless when hear the reports of Muslim culprits of gang rape of Christian girls walking free from courts. (Even those were set free who killed Shahbaz Bhatti ex-minister).
Role of our churches, local and NGOs: It’s time to think twice that what NGOs under Christian supervision, Churches and political leadership are doing? Where all funds are going which Christian civil society, Churches have been receiving in the name of poor Christians. How many Christian institutions are facilitating Christian’s students? Why are Western governments denying visas to acquitted blasphemy victims? It caused me to think; is USAID for Muslims in Pakistan? When their slogan is “From the American People” is all American people sending for Muslims? If not, then why is the Christian youth not receiving (on the link scroll down to “Pakistan”) scholarships for education, funds for business, employment in their offices? Why there is no program for Christian youth? Why do Western Human Rights champions keep silent on rape and enforced conversion of Christian women? Why is it that a common Christian has no reach to embassies and if someone applies for visa, why is it refused, because, a poor Christian has no property and no strong background? Isn’t it? Why is UNO [United Nation Organization] silent on killing of Christians and the attacks on Christians worship places? A million Christians are crying in Pakistan against the blasphemy law, extrajudicial killings, wrongful confinements and discrimination but UNO remains silent.
It’s just an example: I worked for “People to People International” PTPI and didn’t receive even a single penny on the other hand a Muslim running a chapter “Punjab chapter” in Gujranwala Pakistan, have got thousands of dollars and have done nothing on the ground. He got visas dozens of times and has taken many Muslims with him to many countries dozens of times. I applied for a visa US in 2010 and was refused. Furthermore not only this visa denied but my “Islamabad Chapter” was revoked just because of the reason of the visa application. In all of the UN organization and USAID, there are 90% Muslims employed and 99% of them are Pathans.
No one dares to ask NGOs like ILAP [See Also HERE and HERE] governed under Christian supervision, how many Christian employees they have? No one bothers to pursue Christian institutions in Rawalpindi when they push out Christian students for not paying their fees. Are these institutions just for business purposes or is there any sense of security/realization for Christians students? How many Christian’s students are studying in Jesus and Mary Convent in Islamabad/Rawalpindi Pakistan? We don’t have the right to ask our Christian politicians what they have done for Pakistani Christians. These Christian politicians were selected ones and their selection didn’t come in through Christian votes but rather through paying huge funds (collected in poor Christians name) to Muslims Parties. This practice of [buying political positions] is still going on……. They are too many Christians looking for a gateway through paying funds to Muslim political parties.
Pakistani media normally do not highlight Christians’ issues. This is why there is no powerful electronic and print media for their rights. We don’t have a platform to print or give stories about the oppressed and persecuted Pakistani Christians. I usually write for the oppressed and persecuted Pakistani Christians and I am thankful to the Pakistan Christian Post, Salem-News, ANS, Global Christian Voice, John Houk, and Wilson Chaudhry, taking the pain for Pakistani Christians and they are highlighting their stories/issues.
During my writing work, I have been receiving threats from Muslims but I am also being hit by the people sent by imported so-called Christian Politicians, who have delivered nothing yet wanted to stop me from writing the facts.
It is observed during the said time period that all these institutions have their vested interests. It could be political, geographical, or whatsoever it is, but not for Pakistani Christians.
This is less a criticism and more an appeal to all Human Rights organizations to take notice of incidents of victimization of Christians and support them. Because when your “American” Terry Jones burns a Quran, you don’t suffer but we Pakistani Christians do.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
____________________________
What are YOU Going to Do About Christians in Pakistan?
John R. Houk
© March 21, 2013
____________________________
Pakistani Christians and Western Interests
Edited by John R. Houk
Links added by Editor and brackets indicate an editorial guess for clarification
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Apex Court Proceeding Today
Shamim Masih (right) – Chaman Masih (center) father to Sawan
Shamim Masih has an update relating to what Pakistan Authorities are doing about the Joseph Colony pillaging by Muslims committed to Islamic Supremacism.
JRH 3/19/13
****************************
Apex Court Proceeding Today
C J said that police had failed to protect the “property and dignity” of the Christians of Joseph Colony
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 3/18/2013 8:39 AM
ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN (Shamim Masih): The Supreme Court on Monday- three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – declared that police had failed to protect the property and dignity of the Christians of the Joseph Colony, Lahore although no life was lost in the incident.
A three member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the case over the arson attack on the Christians of Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh, Lahore. The CJ said that Punjab Police had failed to conduct an honest, thorough investigation into the Badami Bagh incident in which over 178 houses were ransacked and set alight by a charged mob over an alleged blasphemy incident.
The Court adjourned the hearing until March 25, 2013 on assurance by new CCPO Lahore Muhammad Amlish, who vowed before the bench that he would dig the truth. Earlier the Court rejected the report on the incident.
This is the very first time in the Pakistani history that the Supreme Court expressed deep frustration and anguish. CJ expressed the intention to take over the investigation. CJ was shocked and remarked over the contents of the FIR read out by the SSP investigation, he said, “it seems that the Courts will have to take charge of investigation too.”
Justice Gulzar Ahmad said, the incident has caused an element of trauma that will keep on lingering in the minds of minority Christians living across Pakistan.
A few of the human rights activists including Basharat Khokhar (Here and Here) and Joseph Francis was present in the court today. J Salik – ex-federal minister – showed his sympathy by attending today’s Court proceeding.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
__________________________
Edited by John R. Houk
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Pakistani-Christians Don’t have Right to Protest…
Shamim Masih is a Pakistani Christian that is both a journalist and Human Rights activist. He has been giving me an on the scene perspective of Islamic Supremacism in action in Pakistan of the crazy persecution of Christians at the hand of Muslims that erupted when a vengeful minded Muslim decided to take issue with his (I am guessing former) drinking companion with Christian roots. The Muslim former drinking buddy cried to a Muslim Cleric that Sawan Masih had blasphemed the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. The Cleric called for action that led to the massive destruction of Joseph Colony Christian homes and the Church at the Christian community.
Shamim has updated me that the Muslim Supremacism is continuing with Muslim agitators threatening Christian protesters with harm and murder if they continue to protest against Islamic Supremacist persecution of Christians.
JRH 3/15/13
*********************************
Pakistani-Christians Don’t have Right to Protest Against the Misuse of Blasphemy Law
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 3/14/2013 3:32 PM
Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): Hundreds Pakistani Christians become homeless in Badami Bagh, Lahore. 200 homes of Joseph Colony were turned to ashes and poor Christians are sitting in the streets, looking for food and their needs. Their children couldn’t attend their school and colleges since last Friday. They are helpless and unable to do anything for themselves, while Christians around the country stood to become their voice but were severely beaten by police in Youhanabad and Kot Lakhpat, Lahore. There were protests in Islamabad/Rawalpindi as well. But Muslims of Jhelam City threaten to burn the Christians home like Joseph Colony Lahore, when they went to protest to show solidarity with other Christians.
According to sources, on March 12, 2013, when Christians of Jhelam city went to protest against the violence in Joseph Colony, chanting slogans “Repeal Blasphemy Law” and “Blasphemy law is Black Law”. The Islamists announced in Mosque loudspeakers to gather to punish those Christians who called Blasphemy law to be a black law during the protest. The radical Muslims pressured area police station to lodge First Investigation Report – FIR under 295-C PPC under blasphemy law against Christians who chanted slogans against blasphemy law.
Basharat Khokhar, a human rights activist told that there were around 26 Christian families living among Muslim masses, Machine 2 mahallah since partition. The local Christians arranged a protest to show their solidarity with the Christians of Joseph Colony, Lahore. And Mr. George Masih led the protest rally. They got permission from the District Police Officer (DPO) who provided them security. There were 250 people in the protest rally. The next day, Muslims demanded the police to arrest George Masih and to register FIR
against him. The situation became tense in the city but fortunately the administration involved both the religious leadership and Joseph Francis [CLAAS Profile] from CLAAS [Introduction Page] intervened to solve the issue.
There is another mishap, according to Pastor Naeem Bhadhar, a Presbyterian missionary living in a village KALASWALA, Pasroor Road, district Sialkot, 140 km away from Lahore city. He told me on the telephone that he had arranged a protest rally in their city but today on 14th March, 2013, as he was travelling back to his village, a few radical Muslims from Jammat ut Dawa (a Muslim organization) [Background info HERE and HERE] had severely beaten him with sticks and broke his motor bike. He was injured and was taken to the hospital. There Pastor Bhadhar got 3 stitches on his left arm. They warned him if any one of the Christians came to protest they will kill them.
This is how peace loving Muslims treat Christians in Pakistan. It’s time to wake up and to raise a voice for the rights.
–
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
______________________
Edited by John R. Houk
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Initial Report on Badami Bagh
Sawan Masih Behind Bars
I have been following that depravity of Pakistan Muslims through the reporting of Shamim Masih concerning the religious persecution of Christians (HERE and HERE). In this recent case it involves yet another Blasphemy Law accusation as a means of manipulating the law for selfish Muslim reasons of vengeance and/or greed. A dispute between drinking buddies – one a Christian and another is a Muslim – led to the charge of blaspheming Mohammed and evolved to the pillaging of an entire Christian community by thousands of Muslims.
The drinking buddies were the Christian Sawan Masih and the Muslim Shahid Imran. I am guessing Sawan is not a holiness Pentecostal so drinking is acceptable at least in moderation (yeah right, I think I read Sawan owned the drinking establishment) and Shahid is specifically prohibited by Islamic Sharia to drink alcohol. I have to wonder the Islamic Clerics did not condemn Shahid for drinking and perhaps inciting blasphemous language that ensues from a drunken argument, right?
Anyway, here is the best report I have read so far on Sawan Masih and the pillaging violence executed on the Christian community Joseph Colony.
JRH 3/12/13
******************************
Initial Report on Badami Bagh
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 3/11/2013 10:28 AM
I am really sad to share about an inimical incident of inhuman violence against Christians in Pakistan. I am speechless to share with you the story of inhuman violence. Anyhow I am sending you the initial report of Carnage of Joseph Colony:
Initial Report on Joseph Colony Massacre, Badami Bagh, Lahore:
Basic Information;
On March 08, 2013 around at 06:00 hours (PST), I was informed about an unpleasant alleged incident of blasphemy in the Christian vicinity of Joseph Colony, near General Bus Stand which is North of Lahore-Punjab, Pakistan. I was also informed about the registration of Blasphemy case FIR offence under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) registered against a Christian. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the blasphemy incident the British Pakistani Christian Association sent its representative Shamim to Lahore for fact-finding, so he went there immediately and visited the place of the occurrence and noted down the following facts:
Background alleged accused of Blasphemy:
The alleged accused was identified as Sawan Masih used to be called Boodi, aged 35 son of Chaman Masih and resident of Joseph Colony; Noor Road; Badami Bagh, Lahore. He is a Sweeper (sanitary worker) by profession and is a father of three children. Before the alleged incident of blasphemy he was residing with his parents in a joint family system. His house is located at the front row of the vicinity of Joseph Colony and he was habitual drinker.
Sawan and the complainant Shahid Imran (barber by profession) were cordial with each other and their friendship was known to everyone in the locality. They were good friends for the last 8 years and both, together drinkers.
Background blasphemy incident:
On March 05, 2013 (Tuesday) around at 07:00 PM both Sawan Masih and Shahid Imran were drinking and all of sudden they started quarreling with each other and a scuffle took place between them on the trivial matter. When the neighboring Christians noticed their brawl and exchange of abusive language, they intervened and for the time being the uncertain quarrel was arbitrated by the fellow residents. Shahid Imran took grudge in his heart and became annoyed with Sawan Masih. The complainant Shahid Imran also felt ashamed that a Christian he insulted him and he threatened Sawan with dire consequences. The complainant Shahid Imran went to teach a lesson to Sawan Masih and in this connection he cunningly made a plan with Shafiq Ahmed to implicate Sawan Masih in the false case of blasphemy. Later Shafiq Ahmed and Shahid Imran informed the cleric of the area mosque Qari Saifullaha about the false & forged incident of blasphemy.
The first attack:
On March 08, 2013 (Friday) around at 04:00 PM the cleric announced through the loudspeakers of the mosque. The cleric alleged that the accused Sawan Masih has committed blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. Following the broadcast, thousands of Muslims residents gathered and marched towards Joseph Colony chanting slogans and started throwing stones at the houses of Christians. Thousands protestors demanded immediate arrest of Sawan Masih and also attacked on the houses of Christians. The angry protesters also started looting and crushing the households of Christians. In the meanwhile the police reached the spot and the protesters escaped from the place of occurrence. The attack resulted in so many losses including the breakdown of a snooker table [As an American I was clueless about snooker tables. According to Wikipedia the sport of snooker table is similar to billiards and is a highly regarded sport in former British colonies of which Pakistan was once a part] and the burning and crushing of households etc. Secondly, the police warned the Christians to vacate their houses immediately. (This shows that the administration was aware of it [rapacious pillaging]). The innocent Christians including women and Children immediately evacuated their houses wearing single cloths, leavening behind their houses & possessions. However, many of the Christians were beaten badly. The vehicle of a local bishop Akram Gill was damaged inhumanly.
Registration of Blasphemy case FIR:
Later, the complainant filed an application and registered a blasphemy case FIR No. 112/13 offence 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) registered against Sawan Masih at the Police Station, Badami Bagh, Lahore. Shamim found that the alleged accused of blasphemy Sawan Masih was hiding himself from the violent attack whereas the police arrested his father Chaman Masih. The father was badly beaten by the police. His father totally denied the allegations and later released. Finally, the alleged accused of blasphemy Sawan Masih was handed over to the police.
The second attack:
On March 09, 2013 near about 09:30 a fully charged-up mob of almost 4,000 religious zealots gathered around Joseph Colony, led by Shafiq Ahmed, who was in search of the accused Sawan Masih. The heavy contingent of police was deployed near the colony and later, the mob in the presence of the police entered in the colony and started looting and above 200 hundred houses ravaged with fires. Two Churches along with a Chapel were vandalized and approximately 500 hundred Bibles were burnt, the furniture and other belonging of the school was also burnt. The Christian houses, eight shops, many motorcycles, auto rickshaws, electricity meters, gas meters, iron rods used in the roofs were melted down. On the floor, furniture, trunks, crockery and many more items were burnt totally.
The episode of unspeakable violence in the name of religion [Islamic religion that is] began at 09:30 in the morning and did not conclude till the afternoon. An interesting point was that the large numbers of police were present on the spot and did not avert the angry protesters from further damage. The protesters executed this exercise freely and without any fears for five hours and the police did not intervene nor stopped the violent mob. Some Christian youths saved themselves in the nick of time as they fled from the scene.
Whereas the police ensured us that unless the alleged accused is arrested – making clear to the Christian leadership – that the police will not be able to rescue the Christians. Despite all this, the protesters continued to claim that they would not let the Christian families return until Sawan’s arrest. It was clearly shown that the police failed to inform the protesters about Sawan’s arrest. And the police failed to tell the Muslims about the registration of a blasphemy case FIR against Sawan Masih.
I headed the fact-finding along with a few other people; Mr. Sardar Mushtaq Gill (Social Mobilizer), Mr. Yasoob Bhatti, a social rights activist.
Urgent needs
At present the victims immediately need food, clothing, crockery, beddings, clean water, tea, biscuits and medicines etc.
The Christians in Pakistan staged peaceful protest demonstration throughout Pakistan and at some places the police unjustly stopped the protesters and the clash resulted between police and the Christian protesters.
I am sharing this initial report and highlight the significant section of the incident and assuring you that within a few days I will be able to share the full report.
If you need further clarification please let me know.
We gravely need your prayers and support.
–
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
_______________________
Edited by John R. Houk
Brackets indicate an editor addition for clarity that is not a part of the original email.
© Shamim Masih
Shamim Masih
Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist
President
REAP
Public Affairs coordinator
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