Remembering
Inmates on this Easter
By
– Shamim Masih
ISLAMABAD: A day before
resurrection day on April 04, 2015, I wished my friends through a text message
mentioning them that the resurrection day is a time when you can reflect on the
true values of Christianity; responsibility, charity, compassion, humility,
forgiveness and love. We should particularly remember those followers of Christ
Jesus in our surroundings that are unable to celebrate this event due to any of
their
problems.
 |
| Safdar Chaudhry & Shamim Masih out side the Adyla Jail, Rwp |
A
country like Pakistan; where Christians and other religious minorities are being
targeted frequently. There are many Christians suffering for their faith today in
a normal life that it is hard to comprehend. I have been reporting from the
country where extremist Sunnis, inspired by puritan Wahhabi teachings, and have
been targeting educated and well off Christians. Extremist have killed enough
innocent children, attacked schools, burnt Christians colonies, torn down Hindu
temples, mutilated journalists, shunned social values and flogged bloggers for
free thinking to deserve this acrimony all around the world. Religious
extremists have established that no other form of religion is welcome in
Pakistan. Christians and Hindus are out of the question; these extremists are
far from accepting even another sect of their own religion here.
In
this situation, just think about the Christian prisoners in Pakistan. How could
their life can be, can you believe that? In Central Jail Adayla Rawalpindi,
there are about 100 inmates, around 80 detainees and 20 prisoners. Visiting a
loved one in prison can be a difficult experience. Aiming to maintain and
enhance positive contact between people in prison, their families and their
children, we went to Adayla Jail Rawalpindi on this Easter. Safder Chaudhry, SG,
Rah-e-Nijat Ministries arranged 15 Kg Rice, 15 cakes, Milk, meat, spices,
fruits, and other eatable items. We went to deliver them and to share the word
of God with our brothers in Jail. We had permission for IG Prison even than
Superintendent Police didn’t allow us to enter into prison to see our Christian
inmates on Easter. However after DIG prison intervention we went in and share
the word of God with few Christian prisoners and delivered the eatable items to
them. Vicky Yousaf, Christian teacher in the church and his other partners were
very happy to see us. He said we feel very proud when our brothers in Christ
remember us while celebrating Christmas and Easter.
Imprisonment
disrupts families and while research suggests people who offend are very often
the children of people who have offended, there is very little support for
children who have a parent in prison. If people in prison can keep up their
family links while in prison, they are less likely to re-offend. I met with
Sajid Masih, he spent half of portion of his life in jail, and he has to pay just
few hundred thousand rupees to save his rest of life and his family as well.
Rah-e-Nijat
Ministry is working on prisoners in Pakistan. You can help them out, suffering
our brothers and sisters. It aim to provide them food, clothing and legal
assistance to reach as much of these prisoners as possible. If you would like
to donate towards helping Sajid Masih for his release or other prisoners in Pakistan,
you can reach at rahenijatm@gmail.com
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