Pakistani Christians protest in Belfast to express frustration with Pakistan Governments lack of action to protect minorities.

Christians will protest outside the Belfast City Hall located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland on Saturday 19th October from 2pm to 4pm: to express their anger at the recent twin suicide bombing in a church in Pakistan which killed 126 people. Hundreds of Christian Asians across the UK will assemble to pressure the Pakistani government into action and to provide greater security for Christians. Protesters will then hand over a petition to pressure the UK government to help the minority community in Pakistan.  

The protest has been organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association which represents Christians of Pakistani origin in the UK - many of which have fled Pakistan to escape violence and intimidation. 

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the BPCA, said: "This is one of the worst attacks on Christians in Pakistan we have ever seen. Many people have died and many have been seriously injured, but still nothing is done by the Pakistani Government to prevent such attacks and protect Christians”.

Ruby Akhtar an Irish citizen of Pakistani of Judaic Christian origins and an active campaigner said;

"When I was in Pakistan as a Jew, it was unsafe for me to declare my true faith so I hid under the banner of Christianity as it was at the time (1970's), a culturally acceptable - though discriminated group.  It has now become unbearable for any minorities living in Pakistan."

She added;

"As a dual national of Ireland and Britain, I call for Irish Ministers to take action and protect these innocent victims.  We have overcome terrorism in our Irish communities and should now use our expertise to help others."  

Many British Pakistani Christians still have close family ties in Pakistan and are constantly worried about the safety of their loved ones. We at the BPCA feel Christians in Pakistan should no longer have to live in fear and should be free to practice their religion. And that's why we need your help to force the government of Pakistan into action and no longer stand by while innocent people are attacked and killed. 

We would also like to urge the British government to urgently reconsider its asylum regulations and make sure those fleeing this violence are offered a safe haven here in the UK.

Please sign our electronic petition here:

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/bpca

The BPCA are currently providing relief aid to victims of this bomb attack, which includes sponsoring orphans, paying for new limbs, counselling and settling medical debts, which the Government has failed to do despite promises. If you would like to contribute to this work or  for our work in continuing to raise awareness of atrocities meted out towards minorities in Pakistan.  Further details of our work can be found by clicking this link:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/many-victims-of-peshawar-bomb-attacks_7.html

 If you would like to contribute to our relief work, please use the following details;

Cheques can be sent to -

BPCA, 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG. 

Bank details for transfer – Sort Code 20 67 90  Account number 6346 8976

Wilson Chowdhry - Tel: 020 8514 0861

http://www.britishpakistanichristians.co.uk/ 

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/