Salafists call for murder of Copts, seculars literally crucifixied

Picture from Dostor Watany

The Egyptian Jihad movement has issued leaflets openly calling on Muslims to attack and kill Christians, offering monetary rewards for those who do so.  Already one Christian shopkeeper was murdered in his shop by someone whom the eyewitness said was in Salafi attire.  Christians are living in even greater fear of their lives, and in at least one village, Muslims are openly beating up Christians, destroying their shops and ransacking their properties, and promising to kill any Christian who dares step outside their houses.  The police typically did not arrive until the damage was done.
According to one Copt who was beaten up, a known felon on the run came into the shop and after taking a pack of cigarettes, refused to pay for them, and instead demanded a large 'tribute' in payment, and when the Copt shopkeeper refused, the felon came back with various cousins and other thugs and seriously beat up the Coptic family, burned a number of stores or cars, ransacked homes and even stole the ownership deeds for Christian properties.  Local Christians are scared because thugs and felons in the area own machine guns.  The police did nothing.  Well, actually that's not true.  The police didn't arrest any of the perpetrators, but they did arrest and take away three of the severely injured victims before they were fully treated.  The village is 80% Christian, making it a target for extortion by kidnap and threats of violence.  After many requests for help, the villages demonstrated outside security / police buildings.

Sources 1, 2, and 3

In addition, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has started systematically targeting their ideological opponents in the media - the secularists.  Despite assurances that no media outlets would be shut down, at least one TV station that exposed Islamicist agenda's and actions has been.  Mobs of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood have surrounded TV stations and beaten up prominent journalists and prevented them from entering their workplace.  Even more horrifically, when secularists and opponents of the regime protested outside the Presidential palace, they were surrounded by busloads of Muslim Brotherhood supporters who attacked them.  Arabic Sky News reports - and other sources confirm - that the attack was with knives, sticks and molotov cocktails, and that the MB mob actually stripped some of their victims naked and crucified them on trees in the square, leading to two deaths and many dozens injured.
In addition the supposedly 'moderate' Al-Azhar Islamic university and authority has called for more suppression and violence, saying that it is a religious obligation to fight against and attack anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators in a planned demonstration this Friday.

Source

Gun attack on church, Christian teenager drowned, Islamicists extort money from Christian community

Location of Essa Nagri (City of Jesus) in Karachi

Although the world's media is focusing on the case of Ramsha, the young girl arrested for 'blasphemy' amidst a cleric-incited hate mob demanding she be burnt alive, this is but one case among many.  Here we give several more recent visits.

BPCA has received reports that at 2am today, 21st August unknown gunman sprayed St Matthews church, in the Pehlwan goth Gulistan-e- Jahur area of Karachi leaving the local Christians in fear and the front of the church damaged.  According to local sources, there have been several attacks on Christian properties and churches in the area in the past year or so.

Source

In addition, in Islamabad, there a reports that a teenage Christian boy called Waiz Masih, believed to be 14 years old, was killed near a police station.  He was sitting by the Lai Canal when some Muslim boys started arguing with him about religion and then started beating him until he was unconscious, and then threw him into the canal, where he drowned.  His body was recovered on Sunday August 19th.

From the same source there is news of a 20 year old named Salman Masih in the Gahindra District of Shaikhupura has been shot and badly wounded by a neighbour, Mohammed Khalil, who had apparently been aggressive against Mr Masih, telling him to get his foot of his grounds.  (Many Pakistan Muslims believe that Christians and Hindus are unclean and dirty, and any contact is defiling).

Source

In addition, further to our recent article about death threats to a Christian rights activist, in Karachi, we have now received news from a Karachi church leader that on the 13th August a Jirga (local council of elders) accused the whole Essa Nagri Christian community (Essa Nagri is the largest Christian slum / community in Karachi) of blasphemy and along with threats imposed a fine on this impoverished community of over £670 and two goats.  This tactic is one being used by Islamicists the world over, a way of enforcing the concept of jizya - tax on 'unbelievers'.  It is one way that these terror-related extremist groups get their funds to operate.

Source - senior church leader in Karachi

Ooberfuse and Wizard MC sing for freedom of Rimsha during 2 hour demonstration outside London's Pakistani High Commission - 22nd August 2012!

A Pakistani 11-year-old with Downs syndrome may face the death penalty for blasphemy over her alleged burning of pages from the Quran. Ooberfuse, a London-based electro-pop band, featuring Wizard MC from the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), have today released a song, Turning the Tide, raising their voices in protest against the latest victim of Pakistan's black blasphemy laws.

Following the advocacy work for victims of Pakistans black law, started by Punjabi Governor, Salman Taseer (gunned down by his own body-guard in January 2011) and Pakistan's Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti (brutally murdered by Taliban assassins in March 2011) Turn the Tide highlights the plight of young Rimsha Masih arrested by the police, under pressure from the mob, last Thursday at Mehrabadi village, on the outskirts of Islamabad.

Cherrie, ooberfuse front-woman, says; "Over the weekend we got a call from Wilson of the BPCA alerting us to the events unfolding last Thursday[1] which culminated in Rimshas arrest. She was persuaded to take a sack full of rubbish to the dust-bin but, unbeknown to her, the sack contained ash from burnt papers including fragments from the Quran. In no time at all and with a few days remaining of the extended Ramadan fast preceding the day-festival of Eid an enraged crowd had gathered calling for her arrest and execution."

Hal, from ooberfuse, adds : "When is this madness going to end? The intolerance of the Islamic majority towards non-Muslim faiths in countries like Pakistan is staggering. The blasphemy law gives legal credence to preposterous claims from disgruntled disaffected members of the community that Islam has somehow been defamed. These claims are very often fabricated by Muslims hell-bent on inciting religious hatred against peace-loving minorities like the Christians and Ahmadis."

Says Wilson Chowdhry, from BPCA, "this intolerance has sunk to new levels of depravity with the incarceration of a juvenile girl with physical disabilities. The founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali, said in his 1947 inaugural speech

[ "You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State."]

He would be turning in his grave right now if he knew how the apparatus of the Pakistan State is being cynically used against defenceless minority faiths. Turn the Tide is inspired by his words and the tragic story of a defenceless disabled girl called Rimsha.

Turn the Tide is released tomorrow evening (22nd Aug) and will be sung live outside the Pakistan Embassy, during a 2 hour demonstration from 7pm organised by the BPCA - calling for freedom for Rimsha.  Lead humanitarians from a variety of faiths will be joining us in solidarity seeking an end to the ongoing injustice.  Further details can be found here:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/too-little-too-late-11-year-old-rimsha.html

Too Little - Too Late! 11 Year old Rimsha languishes in adult police cell while President Zardari calls for report on her arrest!

Replacement of representative image- Rimsha Released on bail!

Global reports of an 11 year old child allegedly with Downs Syndrome- arrested for a blasphemy,  have placed Pakistan's blasphemy law under the spotlight again.

Rimsha was arrested on the 11th August 2012 after it was alleged she had burnt 10 pages of the Koran and was found with further ripped pages in a plastic bag.

Thousands of enraged Muslims have circled the small Christian community from which Rimsha belongs,  shouting threats and burning tyres aiming to terrorise people living there in vengeance of the offence to their religion.  This has led to hundreds of Christians fleeing the area to stay with relatives in safer regions.

President Zirdari has now called for a report into Rimsha's arrest.  Oddly enough he has not questioned the veracity of her being tried in the full courts rather than the Juvenile courts? Despite a report on Asia Bibi's arrest, she has been  left languishing in prison for 3 years - pretty worthless if you ask us. We at the BPCA believe President Zirdari should be calling for her immediate release especially considering her existing illness and tender age - any prolonged detention simply does not equate and time wasting could lead to irreparable damage to this vulnerable child.

BBC ASIA News reported on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19315210

The BPCA is organising a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, to highlight the plight of this young victim and to call for reform or abrogation of the Blasphemy Law of Pakistan. Details as follows:

Date:                         Wednesday 22nd August 2012
Time:                         7pm - 9pm
Location:                   Pakistan High Commission, 34- 36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN
Getting there:           Nearest Station Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line)  Follow this link for a map and bus directions  http://phclondon.org/HC/ContactUs.asp

At our protest Catholic Band Oooberfuse said to be "the Pope's favourite Electro-pop Band" will be performing songs to remember Asia Bibi, Shahbaz Bhatti and now young Rimsha.

Guest Speakers include:

• Rev Noble Samuel - Heston United Reform Church
• Michelle Huberman - Creative Director for Harif (A Group serving Middle-East Jews) and mother of a child with Downs Syndrome.
• Ranbir Singh Hindu Human Rights Group
• Hal from Ooberfuse
• Stephen Anjum (Asylum Seeker)
• Mike Emberson from Aid to the Church in Need

New blasphemy low - downs syndrome girl arrested!

Replacement of representative picture - Rimsha after release on bail.

Sign our petition here:

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

We have received reports of a new and appalling low in the ongoing abuse of blasphemy laws.  Allegedly, a Quran was found with some of its pages burned by Muslims in a Christian area of Islamabad - in previous cases the burning has nearly always shown to have been done by Muslims, or by mentally unstable people - and worse, they have had an 11 year old Christian girl with downs syndrome called Rimsha Masih arrested and charged with the crime.  Rimsha was arrested on the 17th August 2012.

Muslim extremists are threatening to burn down every Christian house in the community.  Several thousand Christians have fled the suburb and are in hiding, along with the family of the victim.  Mobs of over a thousand Muslims have surrounded the community and are burning tyres.

At the last account, Christian human rights workers have persuaded local Mullah's not to authorize the threatened attacks after Friday prayers.  Some went to the local police station and report the situation on the ground is very bad.  It is quite evident that the police they talked to have already assumed her guilt.  They refused to allow the workers to see the FIR, placed by a Muslim called Alsyed Muhammad Ummad.  The police were aggressive and hostile, and appear to have immediately called Muslim youths to the police station to harass the Christian workers.  The police said 'She has burned our holy book and you are here to protect her'.  It is quite clear that the police are hostile to the accused, presume her guilt and have no regard for her status as a minor or as one with Down's Syndrome.

Please pray for her and her family.

The Christian rights workers are planning to apply for bail for her immediately after the Muslim Eid celebrations currently ongoing

Source, also information from International Christian Voice on FB

BPCA Pakistan and India Independence day celebrations promote unity whilst promoting the positive cultural enrichment that people of these origins have brought to UK.

Literally hundreds of Indians and Pakistani's celebrate Independence day together a first for Redbridge!

Some local Indians brought a huge flag proud of their origins...

Face Painting and Henna Art first recorder in Indian Court Papers in 400BC allowed us to share our heritage culture and joy with a wider audience.

Punajbi music stirred local people into a night of unity and revelry!

Wilson Chowdhry donned a Pakistani flag and Indian flag on each of his cheeks to inspire better unity amongst people originating from the region.

Dholl Players added a extra cultural dimension.

Those that were not dancing sat and enjoyed the night with us.

Even the Police found favour in our attempts to promote community cohesion.

Bhangra dancing was in evidence at our peace event.

Girls and boys enjoyed Henna and facepinting.

People from wider communities enjoyed the day and night activities!

Wilson and Stirling shared the DJ stage.

Children enjoyed the patriotic fervour!

Young lads joined us despite Ramadan wanting to enjoy the celebration of the formation of Pakistan.

Whistles and shouts added to a great two days of festivities!

On the 14th and 15th August 2012 the BPCA led two celebrations to commemorate the formation of Pakistan and India respectively.  Over the two days in excess of 800 visitors celebrated Independence of their nations without argument and in unity.  This was the first time the BPCA held such celebrations and we were told that it is also the forst time that such celebrations had not erupted in argument and dissension amongst the two communities.  To enable such community cohesion Wilson Chowdhry periodically spoke about the valued contributions of both countries to global development; such ads creation of the number zero and other mathematical progress that altered the manner in which we count today, the ancient art of henna body painting first recorded in an Indian Court paper dating to 400BC and the Bollywood Industry.  

On both days Indians and Pakistani's came together to share their passion for their countries of origin.  Even the local Police joined in with our celebrations.

Pakistani Christians contributed much to the formation of Pakistan including 4 members of the Punjab Provincial Government who voted in favour of it's creation as a separate entity from India. It was the forgotten  Speaker of the House S.P. Singha who had the casting vote after a stalemate who in essence was responsible for Pakistan's succesful formation and the video below describes the process in more detail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jGzPNMkc--

M&list=PL26B9DA330D0BA8D7#t=720s

Our forefathers supported the creation of Pakistan and despite the persecution and inequality we often face in the country, I feel it is only right to support the decision of Christians back then who believed it could become an egalitarian nation.  We must strive harder to see that original vision of Muhammed Ali Jinnah come to fruition.

Islamic extremists target champion of Karachi Christians

BPCA have received the following report from Liaquat, who heads up MASS, an organisation that supports and stands up for Christians in Karachi, particular in some of the poorer areas.  Once more Islamic extremists - in this case, the Taliban - show their cowardice and moral bankruptcy by targeting those who peacefully and courageously stand up for those vulnerable people the cowards target.


Dear brothers and sisters of the world,
I have severe life threat from the fundamentlist.The terrorist gave life threat on 12th august 2012 in the P.I.B police station  at 10:30pm.They told me we will kill you and your family.Because you are working for the voiceless christians in Pakistan.the P.I.B police station arrest me and Mr.Raja yousaf Bhatti (senior vise president of MASS),Mr.Nasir Jhon (cultural secretary of MASS),Mr.Talat Mehmood (member of advisory council).They are also get the same life threat in P.I.B police station Karachi Pakistan.
Due to this life threat we cant sleep properly,we cant eat properly,and we cant move properly,we are very depressed and shocked.Our famlies are very depressed and upset,and also our well wishers are very depressed and upset.All peoples of ESSA NAGRI (bigest christian colony of karachi) are depressed because lot of time we forward the applications to police and other authroties.But police and authroties are fail to provide us security.In this bad and tipical situation ,our power is our God.I request to my all christian brothers and sisters,kindly pray for us and our families God will save us.
Yours brother in JESUS CHRIST
Liaquat Munawar Masih

MASS