UN and U.S wake up to protect Ahmadiya

ISLAMABAD: We learnt the story from The Bible, when Abram heard that his brother (Lot) was taken captive, He brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14: 14-16 (KJV) 

¹⁴ And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

¹⁵ And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

¹⁶ And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

When Abram learned that Lot was a prisoner, he immediately tried to rescue his nephew. It would have been easier and safer not to become involved. But with Lot in serious trouble, Abram acted at once and rescued him. US basedorganization “The Human Rights Watch” reportedly asked Sri Lanka not to deport members of Pakistan’s minority Ahmadiyya community until the UNHCR had full access to them and determined their need for international protection. At least 142 Pakistanis, mostly Ahmadiyyas, arrested in police sweeps in Sri Lanka in June 2014 are being detained and are at risk of deportation, the Human Rights Watch said. “Sri Lankan authorities are threatening Pakistani minority group members with deportation at the very time when persecution of these groups is escalating in Pakistan,” said Bill Frelick, refugees’ director at Human Rights Watch.

It is good to know in the prevailing situation when the persecution on the bases of faith is reaching at high degree, US organization raised its voice to protect Pakistani minorities, but why they particularly mentioned Ahmadiyya. Let me clear this; it is not the first time that US people raised their voice Pakistani minorities especially Ahmadiyya not Christians. It’s common practice that UN and U.S ignore Pakistani Christians, Christians from Gojra, Kurian village, Joseph Colony, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities seeking asylum in different countries but their applications were rejected. Despite registering with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, these Christians have been given a shut up call. Most of them went there or willing to save their lives and avoid future persecution. During the Gojra and Joseph colony, Lahore incident none of the survivor was given protection or IDPs status from UNHCR, neither U.S has raised any voice for this poor segment of the society. On the other hand, hundreds of the Shia Hazara community and Ahmadis are travelling to Europe, Australia, America and UK on regular bases. Hundred of the families were displaced during Rimsha blasphemy case and many of them are still living in tents in Islamabad slum area. They were not given the IDPs status at that time.

I have given the example of Abraham; he went there to save his nephew Lot, we as Christian are brothers. When we accept Christ as savior thus we become the sons of Abraham (father of the nations). But U.S Christian (especially taking about the ruling class) has never been lenient towards Christian. U. S government and USAID have always been adding aid to Muslim world, which means adding fuel to fire. While poor Pakistani Christians are still in pitiable conditions. In response these radical Muslims in shape of Taliban are attacking on them. Let me make it clear that all US people are not in favor of Muslims; recently US congressman Rohrabacher has asked to ban aid to Pakistan for persecuting Christian.

Pakistani Christians have been facing discriminatory laws and persecution for the last two and half decades. Law and order situation is getting worse day by day. One can imagine; when Pakistan has failed to save its own sensitive installations from the hard-core terrorists, how come they protect the weak segment of the society when they are not willing even. The situation become more pathetic when foreign office disowns refugees “detained” in Sri Lanka. Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam was unsympathetic to the plight of the detained refugees in Sri Lanka, saying: “These people (asylum seekers) obtained asylum in Sri Lanka by badmouthing Pakistan. If they are in trouble, I have no idea.” “I don’t know of any operation being conducted by Sri Lankan authorities against Pakistani refugees,” she added.    

In this situation, Christian countries should know and realize the sensitivity of the issues Pakistani Christians are facing. UN, U.S and EU should honor its international obligations and allow their institutions to ensure that no Pakistani Christian is deported to face the risk of persecution or torture. Sometime we must get involved in a messy or painful situation in order to help others. We should be willing to act immediately when other need our help.