Gujaranwala house burnt down after Christian refused to sell!

Reports of an arson attack on a Gujaranwala home have ignited the Christian Community of Pakistan. Mr. Mehboob Alam Chairman of Ephlal-E-Bible Ministry reported on how he had been contacted by Mr Walayat Masih a resident of Gujranwala city. Walayat informed him that that 3 Muslim brothers burnt down their house on 26 January 2010.

Walayat Masih S/o Bashir Masih lives with his 5 sons in Gujranwala city on the main GT road a primary road that is much sought after for its commercial viability. Three Muslims brothers Abdul Sattar Kombot, Mohmmad Aslam Kombot and Abdul Gaffar Kombot asked Mr Masih to sell his house to them. The brothers all lived in a property to the rear of Mr Masih's house and wanted to expand.

Mr Masih refused to sell mainly because his house was built by his ancestors, close to 12 years ago and had sentimental and historical value to his family. In response to this rejection, it is purported that Abdul Sattar and Mohammad Aslam crushed Walayat`s eldest son under a trolley and threatened him of dire consequences if he talks to any one about it. reports also allude to significant police threat to the Masih family and a refusal to lodge a FIR.

On the evening of 26th January 2010 around 5pm, the three brothers visited Mr Masih bolstered by a larger group of their friends. They set fire to Mr Masih's house which was razed to the ground. The Masih family were threatened without restraint, while this terrible attack befell them. The Police offered no protection and on arrival is has been reported that the Police threatened the Masih family not to repeat any attempt to report the criminals.

Mr. Xavier William the Joint Sectary Pakistan Christian Congress and BPCA lead officer fro Pakistan, strongly condemned the incident. Mr. Rizwan Paul the President "Life for All" also condemned the incident and said;

"Inhuman treatment of the Christians at the lower level has become a regular practice, as the investigations on the Murder of Shazia`s case are still underway, yet another act has been carried out".

Walayat Masih is seeking justice for his son and house. Ephlal-E-Bible Ministry, Pakistan Christian Congress, BPCA and Life for All will be pursuing the Government to take fervent action against the perpetrators of this crime and for them to protect the victims.

Wilson Chowdhry said:

This act of aggression is another example of the ever decreasing moral structure of Pakistan. A man has been made homeless in an act of covetous violence. Again the police have denied the basic legal right afforded to any Pakistani Citizen - the ability to enact a First Incident Report (FIR). How long will the corruption of statutory authorities in Pakistan be ignored? How long will we continue to hear of the impunity afforded by a few rupees, that permits the continuance and growth of a malevolence that threatens to erode the last vestiges of hope that impoverished families, in particular minority faith groups, have clung to. This family is now destitute just because they refused to sell their home - the Pakistani Government must be challenged to investigate and compensate the loss of this family. The miscreant brothers must be brought to justice - if not acts of aggression of this type will continue, just as they have always done.

Shazia Bashir update:

Xavier William our lead officer in Pakistan reported on the Shazia Bashir story (originally sent 25th January 2010):

A sad incident took place on 21st January in Lahore, a 13 year old Shazia Bashir was tortured and murdered by an attorney Mohammad Naeem. Mohammad Naeem visited the house of the victim shortly after the news hit the family of the death of the child. With him he brought a relative -a Brigadier in the Pakistani Army. The two of them tried to coerce the family not to proceed with any action, threatening that nothing would come of it.

Unperturbed the family of Mohammed Naeem informed various aid groups of the situation and his family members have been arrested and sent on judicial remand.

Shazia was laid to rest today -thousands attended the funeral at the Cathedral. Today the BPCA Members along with the President "Life for All" Mr. Rizwan Paul, Mr. Aamier Anwer and Mr. Kashif Mazhar went to meet the family of the deceased.

Nawaz Sharif also visited the family.

The BPCA members led by Xavier William strongly condemned the incident and urged the Christian community to come out on 3rd April and protest for their rights. The BPCA is holding Countrywide protests on the date the day before Easter day an important date in our spiritual calendar that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. We hope to resurrect the fortunes of Pakistan and the rebirth of its people.

Mr. Rizwan strongly condemned the incident and assured the family of his support. Mr Aamir said that hundreds of rape cases of Christian women go unreported in Pakistan.

Reported cases fail to ensure justice for poor Christians.Mr. Kashif Mazhar also condemned the incident and requested the Christian Community to pray for the grieving family.

RegardsXavier

Shazia Bashir child labour victim (RIP)

The family of the deceased Shazia Bashir has been joined by worldwide Christian-rights activists in their condemnation of the killing of the innocent 12-year old Pakistani Christian girl Shazia.

Shazia was brutally murdered by her employer Mohammad Naeem, who took her after a sordid ordeal of rape and torture. Remarkably the Government of Pakistan spoke out against the atrocity after the country’s leading news channels broke the news story during prime time.

Khalid Shahzad - General Secretary of the Forum of Minorities, who first attended to the victim's family's call for help informed us of progress:

"President Asif Ali Zardari ordered Punjab’s senior minister Raja Riaz to take matter in his hands and announced a compensation of Rs. 0.5 (5 Lakhs) for the suffering family.
Punjab’s chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry and urged Lahore police to register a case against the culprit Mohammad Naeem, who himself is a lawyer of Lahore High Court by profession."

The teenage Christian Shazia a resident of Islamia Park, Samanabad, Lahore was found dead after alleged rape by attorney Mohammad Naeem. Shazia was working as a resident domestic worker within his residence number AA-444 Defense, Lahore.

It has been reported that Shazia was not paid for her domestic work for over 8 months. Informants have stated that often the family provided her with little food (often none) reducing her to a very emaciated physical state. Moreover, in the recent aberrantly cold winter, Shazia was washing their cars with cold water.

Her daily duties included washing clothes, sweeping, dusting and cleaning the entire large house, ironing clothes, washing dishes 3 times daily. During the evenings she was required to massage her landlords. Shazia's workload would have to be completed despite her complaints of aches, pains and bouts of illness, her parents state. She was constantly harrassed and was denied her 1000 ruppes per month salary despite frequent requests.

This whole debacle illustrates the seedy and rather contemptuous child labour exploitation in Pakistan. Pakistan is a den of horror in which people with influence can extend their power and authority over the masses of illiterate and deprived innocent victims- their only crime a life of poverty. For a few rupees and by shaking a few hands, the aristocracy find themselves able to walk free from courts, avoid investigation and able to revoke the law with consummate ease

Khalid Shazad informed us that both he and the parents of Shazia received messages from the imprisoned Mohammad Naeem. In those messages Mr Naeem has threatened them with retributory attacks whilst insisting that courts and lawyer community will never go against someone from their own fraternity.

Domestic workers young and old are subjected to intolerable acts of aggression, rape, abuse and torture. 80% of Christians in Pakistan are domestic workers much due to limited employment and educational opportunities. Only 8% of Pakistani Christians are literate a damning indictment in this modern world we live in. The BPCA will be raising the issue of bonded labour and Child Labour at our next meeting with the Pakistani High Commissioner.

Further articles:

(1) (2) (3)

Bind us together Lord!

This morning I received a call from Zaki Samson who forwarded the email below and asked me to upload it in its entirety. Any message received from any members of public will be published uncensored unless it has inflammatory, or fabricated information. The BPCA is open to criticisms and concerns and try to respond to all enquiries swiftly. We encourage dialogue of any sort, we live in a democracy and believe in the freedom of speech and erudite knowledge available through information sharing and debate.

Zaki's email (sic):

Dear Wilson.

It is very sad.

I appriciate your concern.

Many members of our community are working hard to raise the voice of our vulnarable minority individually but never thought to be united. Do you think that being a moniority is the ONLY CAUSE of these persecutions. I don't think so.Shazia being only of 13 years of age was forced to work. Why? Because she was the doughter of a poor christian family.It was her time to play and get education. But she could not. WHY?

Is not it a time for all of us to think that how can we take steps to eliminate poverty from among our community. Could you please think about yourself.

Are you playing your part and have you ever given a thought to do something in this regard.

Thank you Zaki Samson

I thank Zaki for his comments and will respond to his comments in order of print.

Firstly if we continue to work individually, we reduce the impact and the impetus of our efforts. The preceding efforts to resolve the numerous issues in Pakistan are evidence of this. I am not saying we all need to club together into one group - not at all. I am all in favour of separate movements, that reach a more diverse community and create a wide spectrum of benefits and solutions. However, we need to be supportive of one another and should promoting each others associated works, were possible, especially where linkage would be beneficial to the end user. For instance, I am in contact with Release International (campaign fro perescuted Christians) they receive our regular email bulletins. In response to our initial story regarding Shazia's demise they sent an investigation team to the victims house and are now working with the family. An officer from Release International attended our protest and was allowed to do so with a team of his cohorts, even though Release did not fully endorse the protest - contesting our flexibility compromise with the Blasphemy Law. Release want the immediate abrogation of the act we are choosing an attritional process to affect step by step attainment towards the eventual repealing of the unfavourable law. Release did not prevent the officer from attending (non representative) and have shared their regular updates with us. A happy compromise was reached and I have recently created a secure blog for sensitive information, such as Release regular updates. If anyone would like to be connected to this send your details to me, I will forward them to Release so that you can join.

Considering the plethora of organisations and individuals working for the benefit of our community, I personally feel it would be sensible to create a lead body, derived from leaders of the main players for Christian aid in Pakistan. It would provide useful cross pollination of ideas and services, create effective linkages and could provide a steering function towards the peace unity and justice we all wish to see in Pakistan. We should also hold interfaith meetings -allowing wider aid agencies working on similar goals to coordinate, share best practice and unify on big issues such as the blasphemy law. But I am an idealist!!

On your second point. I do not believe that being a minority is the only reason for concern in Pakistan. Quite the contrary the BPCA have been challenging for much wider educational reforms. We believe the standard of education in Pakistan has to be increased across the board, if we are to see any progress. We challenged the High Commissioner on the proposal to enhance education by hiring retired teachers in the UK to train Pakistani teachers - our main objection is that those in retirement use out-dated practices. We believe teachers should be recruited from main stream academies as teaching styles and aids have improved drastically in the last 5 years. Moreover, we have always stated statutory reform and police reform should not only tackle the minority equalities, but also the caste and wealth divide. Why in this day and age, can wealthy people thwart justice with bribes? In my most recent post about the progress in the Shazia incident I have proposed educational and statutory reforms of a broad context. Please read it again and see for yourself...?

Shazia post

The same egalitarian approach is highlighted in our meetings with Green Party MEP Jean Lambert (South Asian delegate to the EU), and with the High Commissioner of Pakistan in the UK - please read further:

High Commissioner post

Green MEP Jean Lambert post

We are with you on this point and agree that the lot of Pakistanis and not just Pakistani Christians or it's minorities is a bad one! We have been clamouring this from the outset and your query is rather unfair. We are new on the scene, yet were able to arrange such a wide selection of participants at our protest, meeting with the Green MEP Jean lanbert and delegation to the Pakistani High Commissioner. This is because we work on an inclusive principle based on the premise, that collaborative effort, will see to fruition the desire for justice, peace and equality, that affect so many of us globally.

Your next statements reflect on Shazia's position. We agree with you and if you read the post highlight above on the Shazia story. In the content of that link, I believe we have already posted an answer to your query - it may have fuelled your own suggestion? I believe you have already read this post, so you may be confusing us with another group...? Please advise.

We are an unfunded group and our work is very involved and costly - arranging the protest cost over £2000 and that came from my brothers and I (this does not include our time and travel costs only capital and revenue costs associated with the event). Much media attention was raised including several radio interviews, stories in UK and Pakistani newspapers. This resulted in meetings with MEP's and the High Commissioner of Pakistan. Both who have confirmed they would like to work with the delegations, on a long term basis. Our focus in on peace, justice and equality. Within that remit is a strong educational and employment focus base on parity of opportunity. We are doing what we can and that is all we can offer.

If you had some ideas you would have liked to share than why have you not done so? You cannot deny there has been opportunity to meet with us, we have held 3 public meetings and a protest and have visited several churches. Send us any ideas by email, call us on the phone, text us if you will we promise that we will respond to any query. We can respond publicly or privately - however you wish.

Our invitation is open to you and any others - we want to work with anyone and everyone and are planning a public meeting in February - to form a forward plan.

Sadistic rape and killing of Shazia Bashir a 12 year old Christian girl in Pakistan

www.britishpakistanichristians.org

Disgraceful! Look at the wounds on Shazia's neck and face.

Her body lying peacefully in death - subjected to torture in her last moments.


Just a child - her body had not even developed full adult characteristics!


At 14 this child living a life of poverty, needed to work to support a family.

Wounds cover her face, head and neck!

Tortured and beaten before being raped - I pray for justice for the child and her family.

The accused Lawyer smirks in a photograph.

Last night we heard of the tragedy that has befallen the nation of Pakistan. It has been alleged that Shazia Masih a 14 year old Christian Girl in Lahore, Pakistan - as killed in an act of vile debauchery. A prominent wealthy lawyer Mohammed Naeem has been accused of the rape and torture of the innocent girl who was working as a cleaner in his home. The young girl had not even reached physical maturity and in her underdeveloped stage could be misconstrued as being much younger.

Retired General Samson Sharaf has informed me of some progress this morning:

"The Federal Minister for Minorities - Shabaz Bhatti is with the family. Our President, Prime Minister and Chief Minister have issued orders for the apprehensions of the culprits. Human Rights organizations have already coalesced. Things are moving. As regards the compensation to Pervez Masih Shaheed (regarding a Christian martyr that saved Muslims Girls at a School by sacrificing his life for theirs during an explosion), The federal Government is in pipeline and will be paid to a whole group of affectees together. As you would realize, government issues assistance in packets. Blame also goes to those numerous Cristian NGOs who make money on bonded, force and child labour issues and yet do not convince/educate people enough."

The lecherous and pernicious aggression that has been meted out on Shazia has left the Christian community of Pakistan in turmoil. People from minority faith groups predominantly live in impoverished areas and are subjected to perpetual abuse and threats from local Muslim communities. Moreover, a lack of education or employment opportunity has left the beleaguered communities languishing in debt and destitution.

The British Pakistani Christian Association has only recently organised multi-faith delegations to Green MEP Jean Lambert (South Asian delegate for the EU) and to the High Commissioner of Pakistan, campaigning for Justice, Peace, equal rights and parity of opportunity in Pakistan.

Both the High Commissioner and the BPCA delegation believe that a root cause of the situation in Pakistan is the lack of education and significantly biased legislation, coupled with corrupt statutory organisations. Yet no solid groundwork is being undertaken and no plan of action devised to tackle these significant problems.

The fact that this child was working at 12 years of age and is not attending a school, is a failure of Pakistani society and it's government. Free education should be provided to the poorest of families in Pakistan or the impoverished will bypass the educational system. Child protection laws with respect to education and work should be introduced. Child labour times should be restricted to those outside of school hours (for those aged 14 and above) and only with appropriate health, safety and security risk assessment. Moreover, families should be encouraged to send their children to school by laws imposing attendance and removal of Islamic Studies from the mandatory curriculum, in favour of a more general religious education that would foster better relationship between students of diverse faiths - by sharing customs and principles that are often similar in philosophy. Besides, this would also remove the common perception that Islamic studies will be used as a tool for proselytising, that deters parents of minority groups from sending children to school.

Police authorities were reticent to enact the FIR for the incident despite the fact that such process is a mandatory privilege to all citizens. Police corruption and statutory authority corruption allows first and second class citizenship to continue. Wealthy individuals find themselves immune to punishment as they can afford a "get out of Jail free card" Somehow we must tackle this awful malaise and the BPCA believes that a better tax scheme in which all of Pakistani Society is included and revenue is collected efficiently, will gift the government of Pakistan with the capital to pay better wages to their Police and statutory agency employees - reducing the need for them to survive through bribes.

Many people have commented that this despicable act is not an act of religious intolerance but the sordid and contemptuous acts of an evil man. This may be true but it was a Christian sister that was targeted. Only recently we heard of 15,000 toilet cleaners that have lost their employment ina a government employee cull. Over 12,000 were Christians and my point would be why is it always our community that has the worse jobs? It is this fact that subjects us to the cultural revilement and abuse from some of the Muslim population.

-

Shazia is a Christian Martyr, she was faultless in her actions, served her deceiptful employers well and with due respect. Shazia has been subjected to the worst possible atrocity a girl of her age could suffer. Her family must be in the deepest of shock and outraged at what has happened. Our community and other communities have galvanised themselves against the immoral acts of this sexual predator.

I will be praying for justice as an outcome of any investigation and succour to the family and friends of Shazia.. I will pray for protection, well being and continued strength for the family of Shazia.

I also ask that others unite in prayer and that if you can visit and assist the family of shazia that you do so, let them see feel and hear that they have support.

Pakistani Christian girl raped and murdered

THE VIOLENCE AGAINST MINORITIES IS CONTINUED.


Name: Shazia D/O Bashir Masih aged 14 years
Islamia Park, Punch Road Aria Nagar, Samanabad, Lahore.


A young Christian Girl was working as a Domestic Worker in AA 444 Defense Lahore with Muhammad Naeem, Lawyer of Lahore High Court. It is alleged that not a single penny was paid the to the late Shazia over the last 8 months. On 21st of January 2010, Shazia’s mother, received the dead body of her younger girl of only 14 years of age. Khalid Shahzad G - Secretary Forum of Minorities is looking into the case.

According to an investigation Shazia was raped and tortured by the Muhammad Naeem. It is alleged that he tried to prevent the case and threatened her father and the media - with potential legal action. It is belived he said;

"I am a lawyer and will see that you acnnot pursue this case because the court and the lawyer community is with me."

Khalid Shazad (Secretary Forum of Minorites) said (sic);

"According to this case we come to know that the elite class and those with influence don’t care about law and order. They can use the law as they want. Shazia is only the source of income for her family because her two elder sisters have been married - she wass only the hope of her young brother Sunny aged 8 years.

According to the mother and father of the victim, Lawyer Mohammad Naeem offered them Rs. 20000 to refrain from taking any acton and for their silence. It is alledgede that the Lawyer said:

"if you shout nobody will listen and they will never get any thing."

Khalid Shazad has informed us that the local Police were also initially reticent to register and FIR against Mohammad Naeem .

Sukwinder Singh - Candlelight vigil

Memorial poster
A mourner lighting a candle

Memorial poster

See the wonderful array of candles!

Wilson lighting a candle in memory of the lost hero!

Queueing up to light candles!

A sombre moment.

Sikh prayers were said throughout the night!

A fitting tribute to a spiritual man.

Masses of mourners at least 200 in total

All night people flocked to pay their respect.

Here are the official pictures from Saturday's Sikh vigil to mourn the loss of Sukhwinder Singh. The Sikh community came out in droves and were joined by other Redbrige community people seeking solace, after the tragic loss of a community champion. His story of bravery has touched our community in the huge sacrifice Sukhwinder made in losing his life to protect others. The British Sikh Council have now released a press statement:

"Following the nation-wide tributes paid by people from all walks of life, including political parties, charities, community organisations and HRH Prince Charles, the British Sikh Council UK (BSC) resolved to bring together communities by arranging a candle-lit vigil in loving memory of Sukhwinder Singh in the place of his recent bereavement.

In keeping with the spirit of Sikh custom to show hospitality to all, free food and beverages were served to those in attendance who braved freezing, wet and windy conditions to pay their respects to the late Mr Singh in honour of his selfless sacrifice in trying to help a fellow human in distress. A prayer was recited for his family and in order to appeal for peace on a much wider scale. Verses from the Sikh Holy Scriptures ("Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji") were delivered to the mass as melodious meditation filled the air.

On behalf of the Mr Singh’s family and the entire Sikh community, the BSC would like to whole-heartedly thank every person who has expressed their sympathy and support.

The tragic passing of Sukhwinder Singh poignantly reminds us that justice must always prevail and crime of any kind must never be tolerated in our society."

As a Christian I feel for the Sikh community of Redbridge. They have lost someone special and dear to them, who has become an inspiration for the Town of Redbridge and the Sikh Community, a martyr for peace and justice. Men like him are few and far between and seeing the Sikh community come together in this way has inspired me too. I wish to see our brothers and sisters unite in similar fashion, to tackle the challenge of persecution of all minority faith groups in Pakistan.

The Sikh community have shown us that in solidarity great things can be achieved. Moreover, Sukhwinder Singh has reminded us that every one of us has a specific calling from God to "love our Neighbour" Christ Sacrificed his life that we might live, Sukhwinder sacrificed his life to help someone more vulnerable than him. Perhaps it is time we did the same in true Samaritan fashion....? dont forget our protest on the 31st July - you can sign up to attend by clicking on the link at the top of this blog. People of all faiths are invited to attend.