British Pakistani Christian Association

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Article 2 received via Sister Agnes Massey from the Canada Chapter of PCC

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Church points out government's lethargic attitude towards Taliban's elimination of religious minorities

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, President of the Bishops' Conference has signed and sent to Fides a press release from the "Justice and Peace Commission" condemning "lethargic attitude on part of the government" which gives free reign to the Taliban and thereby encourages the “imposition of Jazia (a tax for being Non-Muslim) by militant organizations," as well as “kidnapping for ransom, target killing and internal displacement in frequency in Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Baluchistan.”

The Church has taken action following the recent violence suffered by the Sikh community (see Fides 25/2/2010), but which also involves Christians and Hindus: This is “frequent incidents of violence, crime posing grave threat to the life liberty and property of the members of religious minorities in the country," the Archbishop said. Referring to recent killing of the Sikh, the Archbishop said that “this was not a solitary incident of brutality against the religious minorities in Pakistan...The Federal and Provincial Governments should treat these incidents as alarm bell and must take stringent measures to control the situation."“

While the Sikh community has become an easy prey for the militants in the NWFP, the Hindu community has faced violent crimes in Sindh and Baluchistan in the past few years. Dozens of Hindus have lost their lives and property to kidnappers,” notes the Archbishop, then recalling the harassment of Christians in the Swat Valley and in many other areas. The statement says that “the Government should protect the religious minorities on priority as they happen to be one of the most vulnerable groups to social and organized crimes.” The Commission also “recommended the repeal of all discriminatory laws to promote tolerance and social harmony.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/2/2010)

Article Received via Sister Agnes Massey from the Canada Chapter of PCC

The article was written by Xavier Williams:

About 150 Muslims attacked on Christian colony Pahar Ganj, Pakistan, after a petty dispute between Muslim fruit vendor and Christian customer on February 25 in port city of Karachi. The Christian customer reportedly chose a piece of fruit, an act that that was not welcomed by the Muslim vendor who then attacked and beat the Christian.

Since the Muslim vendor was on main entrance of residential area of more than 1,500 homes of Christians known as Pahar Ganj, some Christians approached and wanted to diffuse the situation. Now angered, the vendor cried “Muslims brothers come and let us teach lesson to Bangis.” "Bangi” is a derogatory term used to describe Christians by non-Christians in the Sindh province of Pakistan while “Churra” is used in Punjab province and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Pahar Ganj is situated in Central Distinct of Karachi with more than 5,000 registered voters while there are 3 million Christians in Karachi - the largest city in the country. A Muslim mob also vandalized St. Mary’s Church, of the Anglican Church of Pakistan, attacking shops and destroying motorcycles.

The Pathan community surrounds the Christian colony of Pathar Ganj and hate among Pushtuns settled in Karachi has been endemic. The Pastor of St Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi said, "The people were very frightened, but now all is calm. Certainly, in the city the climate is rather tense, especially the conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that has reached the point of extreme violence. Sometimes, religious minorities like Christians are victims of this simmering tension, which is at the point of explosion for petty reasons. After the riots on Sunday, police took control of the situation and now patrol the streets of the neighborhood. Even the churches are protected by guards" St. Mary Church of Pakistan, and the Interdenominational Calvary Church, were also damaged. The local Christians retaliated by pelting the Muslims with stones until law enforcement officers brought the situation under control.

The various Christian organizations like Life for All, Protect Foundation Pakistan, Christian Youth Alliance and Christian Development Foundation condemned the incident. Rizwan Paul, President of Life for All, said “Our religion speaks of love and peace. We have not registered any case in the police station even though our places of worship came under fire. We forgive the attackers but demand both communities not to give a religious tint to their personal clashes.”

I cannot verify the facts and hope other corroborating evidence is provided with time.

Monday, 1 March 2010

CSW Highlight another abuse of the Pakistani Blasphemy Law!

PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN SENTENCED TO LIFE UNDER SPURIOUS
BLASPHEMY CHARGES

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is deeply concerned over news that a Pakistani Christian from Lahore was sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed yesterday.

Qamar David has been in prison awaiting a verdict since 2006, after being refused bail. During that time both Mr David and his lawyer, Mr Parvez Choudhry, were regularly subjected to assassination attempts and threats of violence from abusive mobs.

A contact close to Mr David is of the opinion that the facts, evidence and law have been in his favour. The evidence against him is said to be based on hearsay, and an accused Muslim in a parallel case was fully acquitted on the same facts. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source described the final judgement as “biased and prejudiced,” and believes that external pressure on the court may have played a part in distorting the outcome.

CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said: “This alarming verdict is yet further illustration of the urgent need for the government of Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws. The legislation continues to be abused for the satisfaction of personal vendettas against Pakistanis of all faiths. It is a dangerous tool in the hands of those seeking to persecute or discriminate against religious minorities.”

Saturday, 27 February 2010

Encouraging message promoting unity amongst all

We can all live together in peace - but only if we work together!

Today I was very impressed with a comment for someone who has taken the time to read our blog and to spread a mesage of hope and peace. When we get embroiled with the Shazia Bashir case, we must be able to stand back and recognise that the issue is one relating to the heinous acts of a sexual predator and not an issue of persecution or religious inequality. The inequality this issue highlights is one of power and wealth. Please read the comment below:

Anonymous said...

I have read a few different articles about the case of Shazia. However this is the most reliable one as an attempt has been made to be objective rather seeing this as a case of Muslim v Christian.

This article rightly points out the condition of rights of both women and children(Muslim & Christian)in a country that is still run by elites who act outside the law or as a law unto themselves and a country where a large section of the population are livig in absolute poverty and therefore have no access to proper legal representation or other basic human needs: housing, nutrition, health, education, work and fair working conditions etc.

According to both communities there is a case of death that needs to be investigated in accordance with the law. Muslim and Christians should avoid subjectiviness and work together for the good of the nation and in accordance with the principles of truth and justice held by both religious communities.

Those who claim to be Muslim or Christian but do not strive to uphold truth and justice will not be saved by the labels the give themselves.

Thanks for your more objective article and we pray that this and other similar cases will find justice.

A concerned Muslim - UK

If you would like to read the posted article it can be found by clicking (here)

Friday, 26 February 2010

Wilson one of only two ethnic minority speakers at a major London protest!

Addressing protesters outside Redbridge Town Hall

Some say I don't need a megaphone.

Others say I am rarely seen without one!

Amongst the amassed protesters - rallying all behind our unified cause.

Leading protesters in song, chant and slogans!

At a recent protest on the 4th February - in the London Borough of Redbridge, Wilson Chowdhry our Chairman joined 170 people as he argued for a stop to plans to reduce Accident and Emergency and Maternity facilities from the Borough's King George Hospital.

These images were provided by our auspicious Ilford Recorder and you can see the event was a great success. Wilson has officially been told by the Redbridge Police Events Team, that in excess of 170 people attended.

Wilson has been fervent in his efforts to work against the diabolical plans to attritionally reduce facilities at King George Hospital. Moreover, his petition that has been signed by over 300 residents has featured in Several local papers and the BBC Web. The petition has been growing since his initial two protests and this one. An electronic version of his petition had an article dedicated to its success in the Ilford Recorder.

Wilson's work in the borough is being recognised by prominent figures. The Leader of Redbridge Council Keith Prince invited Wilson to speak at the event. He introduced Wilson as the man who influenced the early stage of the campaign and who highlighted the issue of the plight of our local hospital. Wilson said after the event;

"I was one of few speakers and was grateful for an opportunity to raise my concerns and disgust at the diabolical, nonsensical proposals devised by Redbridge PCT. To me they seem like an opportunity to retain inappropriate salaries, for senior level cronies, of the existing Chief Executive Heather O'Meara. Whilst, reducing the quality and availability of much needed services to a community growing at an alarming rate with a poor level of health service already ineffectually rationed."

Of all the guest speakers at the protest Wilson was the only South Asian sub-continent speaker. Being a Pakistani Christian he belongs to one of the smallest minority groups in the world. Wilson joined our two MP's Lee Scott (ilford North), Mike Gapes (Ilford South) and a number of Councillors in addressing the Town Centre. To be recognised for his public duty, at such a young age, is a rarity. Wilson believes in the power of protests especially in the manner that they rally people to a cause and highlight issue of concerns to the appropriate authorities and the wider public. In the global society that we live in, reputation and image have become key aspects, of international development.

Wilson believes in the BPCA policy of protest and petition and challenges others to continue to campaign with us.

Rev George Hargreaves (Leader of the Christian Party) also attended the protest and was the only black speaker at the event. His wife is in hospital with a serious condition and we ask that you join us in praying for their family and church.

More than any of us, he understands the importance of full hospital facilities in Redbridge . A video of the event was produced by the Christian Party and will be edited shortly. We shall upload a copy onto this blog.

Again we ask that you pray for Rev Hargreaves, his church and or course his family.