ICC reports attack of Indonesian Christians!

Indonesia: Muslim Mob Burns Pastor’s Home, 2 Churches


Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2010) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Muslim mob set fire to a pastor’s house and two Christian churches in North Sumatra, Indonesia, last Friday.

The arson followed a disagreement between Muslims and Christians over the location of buildings Christians would meet in for worship. The buildings were in the center of a predominantly Muslim community and were not registered as churches. When worship continued unabated, a mob took matters into its own hands.

According to The Jakarta Post, on Friday, January 29, a crowd of about 1000 Muslims surrounded the HKBP and GPdI church buildings and lit them on fire, also torching the pastor’s house nearby.

On Sunday, a police spokesman said that there were no fatalities, and added that hundreds of Christians have left the community as a result. He said that the local government would assist Christians in the rebuilding of the churches. To date, none of the attackers involved have been arrested.

Pastor Marolop Sinaga told The Jakarta Post that over 270 of his congregation have fled out of fear of further attacks.

The area has historically been known for peaceful religious coexistence between Christians and Muslims. This marks the first attack of its kind in the history of North Sumatra.

ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, Logan Maurer, said, “These attacks are especially significant because they show the spread of violence in areas that were previously peaceful. Indonesia as a whole has been showing some disturbing anti-Christian signs lately, and this is disturbing confirmation of that trend.”

Please call the Indonesian embassy in your country and politely ask them to bring the leaders of the attack to justice.


Indonesian Embassies:

USA: (202) 775-5200 [Phone] (202) 265-4351 [Fax]
Canada: (613) 724-1100 [Phone] (613) 724-1105 [Fax]
UK: 020 7499 7661 [Phone] (020)7491 4993 [Fax]

Nuajavan Event with South Asian Concern

I received a notification from South Asian Concern regarding a recent event(sic):


Dear friends

Here are details of an event taking place before the next LAMN bulletin:

Naujavan event

Saturday 6 March 2010, 6pm, Soul Survivor Watford, Warehouse 5 - 7, Greycaine Road, Watford, WD24 7GP

Naujavan events are centered on nothing less than time in the presence of our incredible, living God through worship, the word and people! With a specific focus on reaching British Asian people between the ages of 16 - 30. As ever we'll be on the road in different cities across the country, and on 6th March we'll be at the Soul Survivor Church in Watford with great people lined up to lead, speak and help you get connected and closer to your maker! We look forward to seeing you there.

Cost: £5.00

South Asian Concern
PO Box 43, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5WL
info@southasianconcern.org

Protest for Shazia Bashir and Walayat Masih - please join the protest outside Lahore Court tomorrow!

Today "Life for All" organized a protest in Youhanabad, Lahore for Shazia`s case.

-

Mr. Rizwan Paul, Kashif Mazhar, Aamir Anwer and Mr. Nadeem from Protect Foundation Pakistan protested against the recent actions of Mohmmad Naeem the accused murderer and rapist in the reknownd Shazia Bashir crime investigation. They also clamoured for punitive masures to be taken against the 300 lawyers who mobbed the original court hearing for this case that was subsequently adjourned.

-

Mohammed Naeem is on judicial remand and will be attending court tomorrow morning. It is expected that police will apply for a longer period of remand.

Mr. Rizwan has arranged a similar protest and rally outside the court tomorrow and is expected that an even bigger crowd will be in attendance.

-

The Protesters also demanded that the Government register a FIR for the case of Walyat Masih as the culprits are still roaming free. It is purported that Walyat Masih gave an application to the SHO and the DCO in Gujranwala. However, to date Police representative has entertained the application.

-

BPCA Lead officer to Pakistan Xavier Williams said;

-

"Where is the law? Why is the Supreme Court quiet in both the matters?"

-

With respect to Walyat Masih's case currently there has not been any progress. The Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Kamran Michael are now both aware of the case, however, they have not yet responded.

-

Walyat and his family are desperately waiting for some action to be taken in the hope that justice will prevail. A lead officer from"Life for All" made a plea to people of all faiths in Pakistan:

-

"Everyone must make all possible efforts for getting the case registered and to bring the culprits to justice."

-

Personally, I am very surprised that both Kamran Michaeal and Shahbaz Bhatti are reticent to get involved with the case of Walayat Masih. They have both been to England and made grand overtures of how they are to be champions for our people ensuring that justice and equality are meted out equally to people of all faiths. Here we are 2 weeks after the Walayat case was brought to light and neither of them has the decency to respond to an ongoing plea for help. I again implore Christian agencies and individuals to contact the two of them. Please reiterate the need for assistance for the beleaguered Masih family - who find themselves destitute, through no fault of their own.

-

Perhaps we should hold protest for Walayat outside their offices to trigger a more positive response....?

-

Please share your thoughts!

Response to Hector Aleem case - from Bishop Isaac Mall

Often truth is just a perception?

-

I have received the following email from Bishop Isaac Mall in response to a recent request for help in the case of Hector Aleem. I have been asked to post this in order to bring some balance to the previous story (sic).

Dear Mr. Wilson

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.I am Bishop Issac Mall, I am serving as Bishop in Lahore, Pakistan.I saw your website http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/I must say that you are doing a great job for the Christian Community.

I read the news of Hector Aleem, the person from Islamabad who was accused of Blasphemy along with Bashrat Masih. I have been working with various Christian organizations, i followed up that case in Rawalpindi with Francis Joseph of CLAAS.

We were in Rawalpindi for 1 whole month for this case. But then we left the case when we came to know the truth of Hector Aleem.

Although Joseph Francis was a very close friend of Hector Aleem, but still he backed out due to the reason that Hector Aleem really sent Blasphemous sms from Bashrat Masih `s number to frame him.

They both are also responsible for looting innocent Christian families in the name of their NGO. They took money from the poor Christians saying that they will send them abroad, they cheated more than 55 families, now these families are suffering because of them.Hector Aleem also played a game with the 2000 Christian Families of Chak Shahzad, they were peacefully living in the surroundings of Chak Shahzad, he made them sell their homes to shift to Chak Shahzad and illegally took over the property of CDA and sold it to these people at a low price. He also built a Church so that CDA will not be able to take back the land. He took millions of rupees from friends living abroad for the Church. But CDA forced these innocent people out of Chak Shahzad, so in reality this man Hector Aleem was responsible for getting these 2000 Families on the road.

There are more countless frauds he has been involved in. As for the story which is posted by his daughter Mehwish Aleem, i wish it was true. It is all fabricated and a lie. She is not aware of what her father has actually been doing in the name of Peace World Wide.

Mr. Wilson in Pakistan whenever a case of Blasphemy is filed against any Christians the local community and the Christian Organizations rush to try to resolve the issue, the same happened in the case of Hector Aleem, but everyone backed off due to his repute. He even had the support of many foreign friends, they also included people from German Embassy, Canadian Embassy and French Embassy.

The Ambassadors of these embassies also visited him, but when they all did the fact finding, they were shocked that they have been believing him all this time.It is common sense that the reason the local community of Rawalpindi / Islamabad, Christian organizations and the foreign embassies backed out, it is all due to a genuine reason.

If Aleem was innocent people would have stood by him. But he is a cheat and he risked the life of a Christian person to get away with all the money he has robbed from the innocent people.

Come to Rawalpindi / Islamabad and see how these people are suffering because of this man. They gave him all the earnings of their lives, they are left with nothing.

I guess you didnt know these facts about him, thats the reason you have posted the story.I humbly request you not to support such a person. All the Christan Websites in Pakistan and the Christian Magazines dont even write about Hector, as they dont want to be labeled as a supporter of a cheat and a blasphemer.

It was my duty to inform you about the truth, the rest is for you to decide.

God Bless You Abundantly.

A humble Servant of God

Bishop Issac Mall

I have received a number of emails regarding the colourful history of Hector Aleem and accept that he may have been responsible for a number of misdemeanors. I condone none of those acts, however, it seems unreasonable to me that an individual can be placed in jail indefinitely under allegations of a blasphemy. I am not against Hector being convicted for any of his other crimes and he should be sentenced for those according to the appropriate laws in place. The fact that Christian organisations are not willing to tackle the Blasphemy case is rather disappointing, however, I will continue to challenge wider NGO's to assist with respect to the blasphemy case.

If you are wondering about the title it is meant to indicate that peoples perceptions of truth can be developed from limited knowledge, emotional tie and peer pressure. In this case already there are a number of different views and perspectives. We must not forget the emotional tie to a husband and father that the family of Hector will have and should curb any excessive condemnation or targeting of a family who may not be aware of the full implications of Hector's purported activities (good or bad). They still deserve support through a difficult time and I hope people recognise that the sins of a father are not inherited by future generations.

Peoples views are important and I encourage others to add their own comment to this particular post.

Thank you for your king words with respect to my work Bishop Isaac Mall.

Blasphemy Law info:

I asked



Hi WilsonI contacted a few organizations and the Department of Prisons for the record of the Blasphemy cases. There have been total 1,025 cases registered since 1985.Out of these only 156 were against Christians. The most interesting fact is that none of the 1,025 has been hanged, although many have been accused of 295/C. More than 70% of the cases are against the Muslims.The longest sentence given so far is 10 years, but that is also given to a Muslim and he completed his 10 years. A Christian guy Imran Masih was recently sentenced 10 years from Faisalabad. NCJP is making efforts for this guy. Before this over 15 Christians got sentenced for 12 years, but CLAAS and NCJP followed up the cases and appealed at the High Court and got them released after 3 years.I have requested for the list of the 156 Christians. I will forward you that list as soon as i get it.As for now all of the above data is from the Department of prisons and is 100% authentic.I will let you know as soon as i have all the names.RegardsXavier

Response from 10 Downing Street after our petition submission during our 19th December 2009 protest!

Human trafficker Amanat a wolf in sheeps clothing!

As time goes by inevitably incident stories develop, providing more indepth reports of the aetiological and symptomatic situational aspects of investigative cases. In particular, with the Shazia Bashir story I have received a fuller more up to date analysis, received via our brother Kahlid Shahzad.

Shahzia’s Murders Facts.

Shahzia was born 23/5/1997 in in Christian family in Tehsil Shahkot District Nankana. Her Father's name is Akbar Masih. After her father's death her mother Nasreen Bibi of 48 years old, remarried with current husband Bashir Masih.

During the month of May 2009 a human trafficker Amanat met with Shazia’s mother Nasreen Bibi and discussed his "business" connection with people who are looking for children as domestic servants with good salaries who will be provided with full home and welfare facilities. Regular meetings made her more pliable till eventually he gained her confidence and trust. He showed her images of happy children and introduced her to apparently contented referees. In this way he cajoled her into sending her cherished, beautiful daughter with Amanat into a life of misery as a house slave.

The mother Nasreen, had images of a better life for her daughter whose education would be seen to and who would receive a good salary to help her family and contribute to her own "jehez" (dowry). Nasreen had no inclination of the slavery and torture her daughter and other children would be put through. This evil predator had organised the captivity and bonded labour of 100's of children, so that he and his family could live in luxury and without any trepidation. His targeting of poor illiterate people was a shameless act, that has led to the torture, enslavement and death of countless young people and has been the cause of heartbreak and loss of lives of families and friends of victims. Moreover, few children or parents ever saw any capital gain from the debilitating experience that has initially been marketed as a chance for new freedom and opportunity - how ironic.

When the news of Shahzia’s murder spread through Pakistani media one of young girls of 28y came at Shazia’s home, decrying that two years before Amanat also brought three children from Sahiwal - two of whom were her own - Arty and Naveed. She never saw them again...

Khalid Shahzad stated (sic):

"When we asked Amanat about the children, he was not listening. He refused to pay any of the monies due to the affected and rather morose and dejected families."

On 23rd January Police from Lahore arrested Amanat and coerced Amanat into providing the whereabouts of 3 children, all of whom have been recovered. Now arty and Naeem are with their parents and yesterday a girl called Iram was also handed over to her parents.

Amanat has committed the crime of "habitual dealing in slaves" - Pakistan Penal Code (1860) Section 371.

In the presence of Anarkali Police Arty and Naveed explained that

“When Amanat was coming to the Landlords house we often asked about our parents and urged him to let us speak to our parents by telephone. He constantly replied that our parent's do not have a phone”

During the last two years the two brothers Arty and Naveed never met each other. It was an emotional occasion, full of tears, when the family were finally and rightfully reunited.

Amanat’s character has been opened for Public scrutiny and he can be seen as nothing but an exploitative pirate. Pakistan will be a better place due to the apprehension of this sadistic human trafficker. However, sordid this account of the underlying issues in Pakistan are, they in no way negate the predatory and craven desires of the accused lawyer Mohammad Naeem. Lets hope we see some justice done, to the perpetrators, of what has become a pivotal moment in the Human Rights movement in Pakistan!

Khalid Shahzad said (sic):

Before Christmas Shahzia’s mother Nasreen Bi bi, and her second husband Basir Masih and her step son went to Mohammad Naeem’s bungalow at AA 44 in Defense Lahore and asked her salary and also request to meet with her daughter. But the lawyer Mohammad Naeem was getting angered and not willing call Shahzia; the poor and illiterate parents came back at home. In January 2010 again they try to meet with their daughter but the land lord hyper and he punished to Shazia in the presence of her parents, she was crying and calling to her mother for help but the helpless parents were watching the torture with their own eyes. The wealth and resources never listened any cry and request. Mohammad Naeeem replied “Bring Amant who took money from me against your daughter” But Amant left Lahore and went to Sahiwal.Nasreen bibi hasn’t any resource to recover her daughter from the butcher Naeem until prayer and wait. On 21st January 2010. Mohammad Naeem came in to the Ambulance with the Dad Body of Shazia. And told them “by the willing of God your daughter dropped at the steers and now she is dead. And offer Rs.20000 for funeral service and also try to pressurized “don’t disclosed other wise police will catch you and both of you will be in the lock up” its just God’s will. As you know that I am a lawyer and nobody will ask me.

It is a big question that why Mohammad Naeem who is ex president Lahore bar council and educated resourceful??? We are waiting for the further investigation. But it is true that Shahzia has been killed with heavy tortured according to postpartum report.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." He continued saying that, "I don't preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say, "Now is that political or social?" He said, "I feed you." Because the good news to a hungry person is bread."

We live in a society flawed by many levels of social injustice, be it social, economic, religious or gender related. To deny that, especially when you work in the Social Sector, is as detrimental as supporting a fascistic fundamentalist organization. To be an ostrich is to to toe the line of the oppresser. Religious oppression exists in Pakistan: be it against Ahmedi's whose graveyards are being razed or Christians who have Bachelor degrees but are forced tow ork as grade 2 sewage workers instead of clerical staff or low caste Hindus who are treated like animals by Sindhi landlords. And that is the case in any place where there is a certain majority: power corrupts, and absolutely.

And to acknowledge the flaws in Pakistani society does not come from a place of hatred but deep love. If your neighbor's child has a flawed sense of ethics, you don't care as much as if your own child had same problem. Likewise, when you love a nation, it hurts you to see what's wrong with it. And unless we open our eyes and see what is wrong in our own nation, we will allow our children to inherit the sickness of society that we have grown up with.

If migrating is not an option, or not a choice, then you must realize that their is so much at stake for all of us: a more tolerant society means a society where our daughters can walk down the street without being harassed, where the Christians who have educated our children can live in peace and continue to run the hospitals and schools that our leaders have emerged from, where the Hindu rasams in our own culture like the mehndi wedding ceremony won't necessarily disappear because of the Hindu origins of such ceremonies.

Please See The Attachment of the recovery of the children and Amanat Ali with Hand cough.

Thanks.

Khalid Shahzad.