Sunday, 14 July 2019

Why are Pakistani Christian victimized by blasphemy law, killing, abduction, forced conversion and human trafficking?

Pakistan: It is very alarming news that in these days Christian victimization is on rise in Pakistan and shocking thing is that Pakistani authority is covering it by saying it is just a routine individual incidents. We are raising our voice in solidarity with victims and their families because they are suffering due to their Christian faith. Our request to all human rights and Christian faith based international organizations to advocate and to support for all persecuted Christians without thinking that the particular victim and his case is not in hand of your partner. Please stand for persecuted Christian in Pakistan without discrimination of anyway. We are thankful for the US has asked recently to Pakistan to release more than 40 members of the religious minorities facing blasphemy charges and we are also thankful for encouraging to appoint an envoy to address the various concerns on religious freedom in the country.

Blasphemy Laws: LEAD-Legal Evangelical Association Development has collected the list of following prisoners of faith and conscience but actual number are more than this list. There are following seven Christians on death row who are languishing in Pakistani jails for years, Anwar Kenneth, a Christian couple Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, Sawan Masih, Zafar Bhatti, Two real brothers Qaiser Ayub and Amoon Ayub. These are following two Christians sentenced with life imprisonment and languishing in jails for years, Imran Masih, Sajjad Masih Gill. These are following nine Christians who are facing trial and languishing in jails for years, Asif Pervaiz, Adnan Masih, Ashfaq Masih, Patras Masih, Humyun Masih, Samson Nadeem, Nabeel Masih, Stephen Masih and Shahzad Masih. And one latest victim of blasphemy law is a 19 years old Christian man, Sunny Waqas, who is studying health sciences at a high school in Bahawalnagar. Reportedly, the blasphemy accusations include possession of blasphemous material about the Prophet Muhammad. But in reality, the accusations came from a Muslim neighbor over a cricket match brawl.   

Killing: It is very sad to share that Christians are being killed on just trivial issue and demands. Recently a case in Faisalabad happened and highlighted on social media for justice for minor Christian boy’s killing. The fact of the case is that a minor Christian boy Bilal Masih, was beaten to death by his Muslim employers namely Ifran alias Kalu. He was working to help his family as his father is a drug addict without work to grow his family and his wife is only breadwinner. He was enrolled in school late and studying at first grade in school. In summer holidays he decided to do some work for his family support at a scrapyard very near to his home only for Rs.50-100. A few days ago Bilal asked the employer for a loan of Rs.180 for some needs. After this his employer started to abuse him for not paying back the money. Bilal came home to take 150 rupees from his mother, and repaid to his employer against the debt. Then he told the owner that he would no longer work for him which made his employer infuriated. He and his brother Akram, brutally beat the boy, hitting him in the head with iron rods.

A Muslim man, Muhammad Idrees, just killed Saima Sardar, a Christian nurse, who refused to convert her religion and marry to a non-Christian in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Herbanspura in Lahore, a Christian man Saul was killed and Christians of the area blocked the ring road of Lahore but on the intervention with promise of justice for victim family the protest was stopped and road was opened for traffic. 

Abduction and Forced Conversion: It is very strange for us how the persecutors of Christians create and adopt a new ways to persecute Christians in Pakistan. Recently a case came on surface that a Christian girl namely Muskaan who was working as domestic worker at one Muslim home to support her poor family. She was hostage in the house of Muslim and stopped to pay her wages and when the parents of girl went to Muslim house to stop to work for them and demanded to give back their daughter. They flatly refused by saying now she has converted to Islam and you are Christian hence she is not willing to go with you at your home. 

Human trafficking: Pakistani victims of human trafficking are asking for help. A Pakistani Christian activist is sharing on social media that around 50 girls and young women have been returned but many still are trapped in China and asking for help. He has said that Pakistani authority has not done enough to help the victims. He requested NGOs to raise their voices and bring the girls back.

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