10 year old kidnapped on way to school

A 10 year old Christian girl named Aney Tariq was kidnapped on 4th September while on the way to school in Gujranwala in North East Pakistan.  The same day her kidnapper, Haider Butt claimed that of her own will she had converted to Islam and married him.  The police are doing nothing about it.

Wilson Chowdhry of the BPCA said :

"Once again we have an implausible claim that a 10 year old girl freely agrees to convert and marry an assailant, in an obvious cover up of the serious crime of kidnapping and presumed rape.  It always seems to be the young and vulnerable who suddenly 'of their own free will' convert to Islam and marry their kidnappers / rapists?  Moreover these pernicious rapists try and cover their crime with a cloak of piety."  

Pakistani law states 18 is the legal age for marriage, while many Islamic laws state the age is 16.  However many extreme sects of Islam claim that a girl can be married when she first menstruates.  According to her family, even under this paedophile's charter, the marriage was illegitimate as Aney had not started her periods.

The rate of kidnap and rape of Christian girls and women in Pakistan -  and this does not include victims of other minorities - is thought to be at least 2 a day, and most of these cases involve claims that the victims freely converted to Islam and then married (one of) their rapists.

Source

Christian girl tortured by Muslim master

Sumbal Masih - photo World Vision in Progress

On 14th September, this girl, Sumbal Masih, aged 15 or 16, was working as a maid in the house of one Mr Adeel in Lahore, along with her younger sister Sadaf and cousin Rabiya.  She was watching the TV in the house when Mr Adeel came and beat her with iron rods or pipes, and then took her to the washroom (toilet?) and tortured her terribly.  Her sister, cousin and other servants heard her desperate cries and rushed to try and help but were prevented by Mr Adeel sent them away.  After this the cousin rushed to get Sumbal's parents,  and when they arrived outside along with human rights workers, Mr Adeel and his family claimed that Sumbal had 'run away from the house'.  They also refused to let the younger daughter go to her family.  After two hours the Adeel's allowed the girl's mother in the house.  After the police were called, Mr Adeel let the mother and Sadaf go, but kept making excuses about Sumbal.  The Human Rights group 'World Vision in Progress' has filed a rescue petition for the rescue of minor Sumbal at a Lahore court.

Wilson Chowdhry of the BPCA said :
Yet again we have violence against a teenage Christian maid.  The fact that the family are refusing her mother access is very disturbing.  What are they covering up?  Is it the fact that the girl was murdered, as in a recent case where a senior lawyer in the same city tortured to death a young Christian girl servant?  Is it to try and concoct a story about her condition, or has she been raped and forced to marry and convert as so many young Christian girls are?  Whatever the situation, it can't be good, and we call upon the police and courts to act speedily and thoroughly and without regard to threats or the faith of the perpetrator.  

Source

For hatred of a film .... Heil Hitler?

A Pakistani response to that film

For action to take against this image on FaceBook, see the bottom of the article

Also, there is now an update on the situation here.  

Few readers will be unaware of the worldwide violent Muslim reaction to the film 'Innocence of Muslims'.  In Pakistan, this included the normal paroxysm of wild conspiracy theories, including the claim by a Muslim leader at a protest that the American establishment had backed this tatty little film - a claim about as far from the truth as it possibly could be - and that therefore not only should every single person involved in the production and release of the film be publicly hung, but then went on to demand that the US implement a law against blasphemy or else they would not allow US consulates in Pakistan to function.  (Source)

In Afghanistan, in typical Islamicist style, the terrorists chose to attack South Africans for the US 'crimes' in a suicide bomb attack that killed a dozen aviators.

As the BPCA reported, it didn't matter that Christians went to protests against the film.  Nuns returning from a protest against the film were fired upon, a typical Islamicist tactic whereby Christians in your own part of the world are to be slaughtered for the alleged crimes (even if they turn out to be a false rumour) committed against Muslims in another area.  For instance, the slaughter of Catholic worshippers at a Baghdad cathedral the other year were in 'revenge' for the totally false claim that Orthodox Copts had kidnapped the wife of a priest who had allegedly converted to Islam.

Reports that the producer of the film was allegedly a US Israeli Jew have given another excuse (if any were needed) to unleash good old fashioned vicious anti-semitism, as the picture above shows. (This appears to be false, it seems the claim was a cover for the real producer, a fraudulent and convicted criminal Copt who has lived in the US for a long time - God help the Copts of Egypt in an already terrible situation.  This is the last thing they need.)  The BPCA were alerted to this image by a supporter.  It was posted by the owner of a Facebook page called 'My Ideology is Islam, my Identity is Pakistan'. The page's about section makes it quite clear that the writer has no place for other religions in Pakistan, and that it's only ideology and identity should be Islamic.  The page typically also spouts viciously anti-Indian racist views.

The discussion under the particular image has many Muslims quite rightly protesting about it's use, but many also calling for the killing of Jews and people associated with the film.  (By the way, the producers deceived the actors involved,  with them thinking it was just an Aladdin type film, and no mention was made of Muhammed.  These were dubbed on later, so most of those involved had no idea what the film was going to be about - for more, see here.  But somehow we doubt that those pouring death threats on the actress featured don't really give two hoots about the facts, or justice).

A later post on the page makes this call : 'What ever religion you are , Lets come and Joint hand (sic) together in these Hard Moments With All Muslims'.  Hard times?  What a laugh.  Hard times is the Christians of the Muslim world who are murdered, kidnapped, tortured and raped on a daily basis, including in this posters beloved Pakistan, but funnily enough this hate-monger never mentions the suffering of Christians in Pakistan.

Take action

The supporter who reported this to us said they had used the 'Report this photo' option using the 'Hate speech or symbol' selection.

The BPCA encourages it's readers who are on Facebook to follow their lead.  To find the post with the image on,
1) type 'My Ideology is Islam, My identity is Pakistan' in the search box at the top of your Facebook page
2) Scroll down to find this post.  The owner of this page posts a huge amount so you will have to scroll down a long way to find it.  It was posted (in Grenwich Mean Time) at about 3pm on Wednesday 19th September
3) Look for the 'Report this photo' option.  In some cases you may have to click the image so it pops up as an image on a black background - in which case, click on 'Options' at the bottom of the photo.  In other cases it will be below and to the right of the photo.
4) Select the second option from the bottom and hit select.
5)  Encourage your friends to do the same

Additional information

Jews in Pakistan were driven out in the late 40's and early 50's and later by violent acts of vicious anti-semitism, and anti-Semitism remains a virulently cancerous part of Pakistani society.   (Source)

The only remaining synagogue was destroyed in the 1980's to make way for a shopping centre, on the orders of General Zia-ul Haq, the same one who also introduced the iniquitous blasphemy laws that are being used to commit religious cleansing on Christians, just as was done to the Jews before them.  The General spitefully ordered this sacrilege just because the Pakistani Jews who fled to Israel called for the synagogues preservation, and as the recent Rimsha case has shown, such spite against other religions is still dominant in Pakistani society today.  (Source)

A song from Prison

Today, to remember Younis Masih, who has been in prison under death sentence for blasphemy for so long, and whose appeal is coming up, we publish a song he wrote in prison, to lift faith, and to cause us to pray for this man of God.

I will dance with joy, I will dance and sing, 

I will celebrate happiness.

My faith is very strong, my eyes are fixed 

upon the Lord Christ, He is glorious like God.

I will tell this to all: He gave me salvation, 

He is above all, He defeated death. I will follow Him.

He keeps our trust unfailingly. 

His kindness is upon us, He gave His life for us, 

I will sing songs of praise.

Younis has no fear of death. 

I work for Christ, I will die for Him, 

and I will rise from the grave

Source (about two thirds of the way down)

Displaced families of Rimsha case held a protest rally against Chairman APMA

A report from Shamim Masih in Lahore reproduced verbatim:

A man protest by painting his face with soil - expressing the insult he feels in being treated like mud!

Christian women put aside cultural limitations on their behaviour to shout slogans against the Minister of Minorities Paul Bhatti.

Nearly every villager from Rimsha's community joined in solidarity in opposition to the manner in which the Government has ignored their plight!

Shamim Masih uncovers questioned residents on why they were protesting.

Women and men spoke out in condemnation of the broken promises made by senior government figures!

A large banner calls for the resignation of Paul Bhatti unelected Minister for National Harmony!

Viallagers full of determination and pride challenged the indignity of their treatment!

Learn about the BPCA's Aid distribution to Rimsha's villagers here:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/bpca-first-to-respond-to-displaced-and.html

Islamabad Pakistan, (Shamim Masih): 

Displaced families of Rimsha case held protest rally calling for the resignation of Dr. Paul Bhatti, Chairman All Pakistan Minority Alliance (APMA) and advisor to the President of Pakistan 18th September 2012.

The protesters started the rally from St. Thomas Church, Blue Area to Green Towers Blue Area office of the minister in-charge of National Harmony Islamabad. They claimed that chairman APMA had dishonestly gathered huge funds on the name of Rimsha case but didn’t deliver.

On 16^th August, 2012, Rimsha Maish a Christian girl of 14 years was arrested for a blasphemy.  An angry mob then attacked hundreds of Christian homes in her village. Most of the affected  families had to flee their homes at midnight, to prevent themselves being killed. Since then hundreds of the same families on returning to their village are left feeling anxious and fearful, as Government assurances of protection fail to materialise.  

Earlier today (18th Sept) these displaced families held a protest rally and demanded a substitute place for living. According to many protesters questioned today, they were promised a safe place to relocate and compensation by the incumbent Minister for National Harmony - Dr. Paul Bhatti. 

Since the original protest neither the Chairman of APMA nor his representative has contacted them. A local man siad; 

"We have become aware that APMA arranged fund raising events in different countries for their rehabilitation, but has failed to deliver any assistance to us.  We want the whole world to know!"

Protesters were holding banners and were calling for Mr Bhatti's resignation. Hundreds of men, woman and children undertook a sit in protest outside the National Harmony ministry building.  Despite loud remonstrations and several requests for Mr Bhatti to answer their questions, he failed to show up.

Aster Bibi, 36 years, said;

"These people are selling my household goods and buying food stuff for my children!"  

Waris Masih, a resident of Mehrabadi for three years, said;

"Due to this incident my family is totally disturbed - we have not been able to sleep peacefully since then. We could hardly manage to find one meal a day"

Baba Sajin said; 

"son, we live in pathetic situation."

Arif John said;

"Minister saab (sir) had promised  to provide us a piece of land and provision of food until the situation has calmed."

The Minister of National Harmony didn’t come out of his office remained in his office for the duration of the protest. When contacted by Shamim Masih by telephone Minister Bhatti said;

"I have done a lot for them, even my brother has given his life for the sake of community. They were just trying to blackmail me - I am not answerable to them!  This rally is preplanned against me."

"I will unveil their faces very soon!" he added

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wilson Chowdhry commented;

"News of such corruption will be embarrassing for Pakistan no doubt, however Paul Bhatti was not elected but simply chosen beacuse of his relationship to deceased former Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti.  That nepotistic decision, caused much ire amongst the global Pakistani Christian community. If this report is true the angst and schism was justified and President Zardari should admit his mistake, remove Paul Bhatti from position and allow an appropriate election."  No Minister should be above the law!"    

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) voices its concern at the detention and contemplated prosecution of Rimsha Masih in Pakistan.

The BHRC is the international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is an independent body primarily concerned with protecting the rights of advocates and judges around the world. It is also concerned with defending the rule of law and internationally recognised legal standards pertaining to the right to a fair trial.

Background:

1. Rimsha, who has been reported as being between 11 and 14 years old, and her mother were arrested on 16 August after she was accused of burning the pages of a Qur’an by a neighbour in her village. The family is Christian and lives in the largely Christian suburb of Mehrabadi outside Islamabad. In addition, it has been reported that Rimsha has learning difficulties, possibly Down’s Syndrome.

2. Initially, the local police were unwilling to act against the minor but public demonstrations against her prompted her arrest. At the same time it has been suggested that around 900 Christians in the area outside Islamabad have been forced to leave their homes.

3. Following Rimsha’s arrest a local cleric, Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti, was arrested for allegedly planting the charred pages of a Qur’an in the bag in which the girl carried rubbish she had been sent to dispose of. He now also faces charges of blasphemy.

4. On 8 September Rimsha Masih was released on bail and immediately taken by helicopter to a secret location in order to protect her and her family. One of her lawyers has publicly stated it is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a person accused of blasphemy has been granted bail.

Observations of the BHRC:

5. While the BHRC welcomes Rimsha’s release on bail, it has a number of concerns about her prosecution and the prosecution of blasphemy crimes in Pakistan more generally.

6. In 2011, in conjunction with our colleagues at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, we released a statement of concern about the operation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. At the time, we reminded the government of its responsibilities as a party to the International Covenant on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) to protect its subjects from racial hatred; as a party of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to uphold the right to life, the right to free expression, the right to freedom of religion and the right to be free from arbitrary detention.

7. Therefore, we strongly condemn comments from Rao Abdur Raheem, the lawyer of Rimsha’s accuser, suggesting that a failure to convict her will lead to people taking the law into their own hands. This is inimical to the rule of law. Where a person, whether a minor or an adult, is accused of an offence they are entitled to a fair trial free from outside influence.

8. Moreover, on the facts of this case, the rule of law demands that the accused, her family, her community, those determining the case, and the lawyers in the case be afforded protection. It is disturbing to hear Raheem’s reported comments which celebrate Mumtaz Qadri, a man convicted last year of murdering a reformist politician who had spoken out against blasphemy laws. Indeed the judge in that case was forced to flee the country and his family has suffered repercussions.

9. We respectfully remind the Pakistani authorities once again of their international obligations. We call on them to conduct the investigations in to the allegations against Rimsha Masih fairly and transparently, adhering to the rule of law and not the rule of any particular section of the community, however powerful.

See official document by clicking link below:


https://www.barhumanrights.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/news/rimsha_masih_bhrc_statement.pdf

BPCA first to respond to displaced and starving families form Rimsha's village!

Properties were stoned during the overnight siege of Rimsha's town.

The British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) has found a new partner, Shamim Masih of REAP, who has worked for the last two years helping Christian families in the slums of Islamabad as and when they have the funds.  

Shamim has distributed food packages funded by the BPCA donations to families, particularly those in the H-9 district, many of whom were displaced when the mob attacked Rimsha’s home community.  

The original residents of H-9 are Christians who since being forced to evacuate their dwellings in another area in 2009, have been living in tents ever since, unable to afford housing.  

Shamim Masih said;

"Many Christians were granted permission to live at H-9 by the former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Galiani in 2009, when they were displaced from Shehzad town, Islamabad to the road side of G-7 where it was felt inappropriate for them to live. Since then they are living there in the tents, there is no electricity, no water provision, and no drainage system. Their living is pathetic, and no Christian leader seems to pay a whole lot of attention to them."

The refugees from the Rimsha incident arrived in fear for their lives and set up tents in the area.  Since they were unable to attend work, many have lost their jobs and are doubly destitute.  They also reported since they had to flee so suddenly without locking their doors, their homes have been looted of all valuables.  Those who have returned home want to get out, since they know their landlords want to kill them if they can.  They want an area of their own where they can live peacefully and practice their faith.  

Shamim Masih said;

"Although there is still a sense of insecurity, but the local authorities are extending their full cooperation for their protection. 

Generally speaking, a lot of things are required for them and the gifts we provided them would only be good for a week or so. They are looking towards us for many things that may not be practically possible immediately as it involves a lot of funding, as they desire the support to build their own homes, financial support on a monthly basis to meet their living expenses etc., the prioritized list can be developed if your cooperation is available on regular basis.”

However, since the new refugees arrived, officials of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad arrived on the morning of 7th September.  They called out a man called Yousaf Masih and ordered him to get the pastor out to talk to them.  They beat him so badly for being too slow that his arm was broken.  He called out for Pastor Arif Khokher to come out.  When the pastor emerged from his tent, the CDA officials slapped him across the face, pushed him to the floor and then placed on a CDA van and where he was threatened and beaten further.  His homeless congregation heard his cries and rushed out to rescue him but the government officials severely beat them – both the old and the newer inhabitants.

The CDA taskforce warned the Christian community to leave the slum within a few days, otherwise their temporary dwellings would be demolished and they would suffer more beatings.

The CDA launched then lodged a report at the nearby police station claiming the pastor had called on his followers to use violence, and that he was trespassing.  

Wilson Chowdhry of the BPCA said;

"Poor Christians in Pakistan are among the most vulnerable people in Pakistan's splintered society.  The villagers from Rimsha's town having fled to H-9 have inadvertently made the lives of the permanent settlers there untenable.  This land was granted to a former displaced community by a former Prime minister and we call on the Government to ensure that these families are protected from further attacks and that their permitted status is made widely known.  Moreover, we call for relocation of Rimsha's villagers and full compensation for their homes and stolen personal belongings." 

The BPCA has created a fund to protect and feed these families who have been forgotten by Pakistani authorities.  If you would like to contribute please use the details below:

If you would like to contribute to this "Rimsha Masih Fund" (Please use the fund name as a reference) you can pay several ways – by using the PayPal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog.  You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

Alternatively should you wish you can pay by BACS, direct debit or standing order by paying into the following account details: 

Sort Code: 20-67-90 

Account Number: 63468976

CDA levelled makeshift homes from an encampment of Fleeing Christians in a nearby forest.

Meagre living quarters yet people had called it home.

Christians in H-9 Area adamant they have the right to stay.

One of the many families left homeless.

Young children forced to work at H-9 Area and kept home for their own safety.

Abject poverty but it was home.

Our Partners REAP are helping many families on rotational basis subject to the availability of  funds for the last two years. They  have been working with the slums of Islamabad using other contributions.

Specifically with reference to Rimsha's Area there are about 295 registered families, who are back in that locality and REAP distributed our BPCA food gifts amongst 18 families, who are dependent on this support.

Some statements from local residents include;

BOOTA MASIH, (48 year), father of 5 children said;

"When this incident happened we took took family and escaped at midnight when it was darkest. Since then we have not been able to settle down here properly. I could not attend my job during those days and it has now been taken away from me.  Thank you  for the provision of the food materials - without them we would have starved."

SAJID MASIH, motor workshop engineer, said;

"You are first NGO to reach us at our  location, other NGOs have distributed in other areas and we have been overlooked. They might be afraid of coming here as it is so dangerous so thank you for taking the risk. We are really grateful to you for this help."

IRSHAD BIBI, mother of 5 school going children said;

"The situation was so severe and we had to run for our lives we did not even have time to  lock our doors properly and lost many of our possession on return. Thank you."

MANWAR MASIH, 30 years with three children said;

"We are back in the town but are aware of the mentality of our landlords. They will not spare us if they get the chance they will kill us.  We just want a piece of land for us where we can live peacefully and can perform our religious services."

About this particular distribution Shamim Masih said;

"The pictures sent to you are taken at their places while giving them the gifts. Although there is still a sense of insecurity, but the local authorities are extending their full cooperation for their protection.

Generally speaking, a lot of things are required for them and the gifts we provided them would only be good for a week or so. They are looking towards us for many things that may not be practically possible immediately as it involves lot of funding, as they desire the support to build their own homes, financial support on monthly basis to meet their living expenses etc., the prioritized list can be developed if your cooperation is available on regular basis."

Christians were grateful to receive food packages as they became less of a burden on their families.

We provided as many families with food as were possible.  Our small budget severely limited this and  we desperately need more funds to assist those that have lost their jobs and homes, due to the attack on their community.

Shamim Masih co-ordinated the food exchange for us.

Families were encouraged by the help from abroad.  We were the first to come to this particular groups aid.

Food packages were gratefully accepted.

The slums in which these families reside would be deemed a health hazard in the UK.

Those that have returned to their homes, have found their place has been looted and their employment terminated.

Some homes are still vacant awaiting the return of the owners.