Shepherd’s Staff

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: Earlier I posted that healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate themselves. The key to an honest and accurate evaluation know the basis of our self-worth - our identity. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much about your worth in the eyes of others and thus miss your true values in God’s eyes.

Many Christian right activists are working in our country; some of them have vision to save Christians facing problems others are looking for Western donors and thus creating ambiguity among workforce. Even religious leadership stands in the same queue. In my college days, I was a drastic religious activist but later I found that most of religious leaders made their wealth via the very avenues they publicly condemned as being anti-environment. What I realized is that they “got theirs” but didn't want anyone else to get the same. It’s not that I now think that all these leaders are good and not harmful to the environment, but if you are going to point accusative fingers you’d better make sure the shit is cleaned from your nails first.

Bishop Dr. Ijaz Inayat 

Clergy who are members of either denomination could be subject to disciplinary measures. There are many actively involved in massive misappropriation of church properties, under various fraudulent pretexts while holding posts forming part of the pious and respected institution in Christian community but so called Bishop Sadiq Daniel from Karachi dioceses from Church of Pakistan thereby further tarnishing the image of the Christian community at large. Although it is settled principle of law that once a trust property, always a trust property; thus, no change in its status is permitted in any manner whatsoever. But this man involved in selling church properties. And finally chief of “Church Property Bachao Tehrik, Pakistan” Bishop Dr. Ijaz Inayat filed an application in Sindh High Court and luckily court considering it an urgent matter has accepted the petition and set a date for its hearing.

Christianity is still regarded as a problem and a threat by both the government and local people in the country. Christians are still being imprisoned for their faith – often constrained in shackles or stocks – and torture is endemic. The most common form of persecution involves high level pressure to abandon their faith, with sanctions commonly including forced eviction, denial of service and social exclusion. Despite all this, and due to the amazing witness of local believers, the church continues to grow.

Fanaticism, mob violence, death threats, bombings, and institutional discrimination are just some of the dangers. Christians are often denied places in schools, are forced to accept only menial jobs, and are viewed with low cast. Certainly, in this situation; we should stand against these evils in the society to save our future. They are either ordained to guard them or to sell them to thieves in few coins.              

New ideas, new players

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has arguably has become the worst place on Earth for Christian while there are others like Sudan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Bhutan etc. other nations persecute believers, but in Pakistan the entire country has spent generations forming a world view that values the torturing of those that claim the name of Christ. In 1973; when Islam become national religion and Bhutto’ government seized Christian’s schools and replaced their teachers and curriculum. Than it was imposed that Quran is required to be read and recited in all classes at all levels. Meanwhile, it is illegal for Christian to touch or own the Quran. Now, 40 years later, Bhutto, Pakistan Peaples Party – PPP chief’s plan was successful. Literacy in Pakistan is around 50%, but literacy for Christian is less than 10%. There is only a handful of Christians who work for the government at any level. Mostly Christians are reduced to living in slums, where they are routinely either demolished or their housed frequently set ablaze. But this is not the worst of what happens to Christians here. The worst is that their children, particularly young girls are the targets of their violence. Girls are kidnapped, raped and forced to convert to Islam. Young girls that refuse to convert and marry are beaten, physically tortured and either killed or simply raped and left to die naked in the wilderness. It is unfortunate that Christians do not have access to the legal system in Pakistan. Police arrest them for any crime they are accused of and they are really only accused of one crime: blasphemy, which carries an automatic death sentences. Judges in Pakistan know that if they ever find a Christian innocent of blasphemy that the judge and his family will be murdered. In the last few years blasphemy charges against Christian have become more common. Christians are frequently falsely accused of blasphemy, arrested and their houses are seized. Judges don’t want to hear these cases, and lawyers are afraid for their lives.

Today in Pakistan, Christian’s children do not have access to read. They cannot afford high tuition fee in private schools and government school curriculum is changed according to Islam’s teachings. It is nearly impossible for Christians to get an education, and there are no jobs for them. Parents are afraid to teach their children the basics of the gospel – out of fear that their children may say something that will get them killed. In 2011 the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom completed a study of the educational structure in Pakistan. They reported that “all” of the public school teachers they interviewed taught their students that jihad was the violent struggle against infidels and that is “compulsory” for Muslims to be violent toward Christians (see pg. 16 of that report). Pakistan is a nation where nearly all – if not all – of the teachers, at every level of education, teach their children to kill Christians.

Talent, Time and Treasure:

The threat matrix for Pakistan religious minorities has changed radically and it has become a useless routine to condemn the act of violence and injustice. So we need to bring change, bringing time, and talent and treasure altogether. Let’s it take in such a way, two nation theory; we as a Christian; are totally different from Muslims. We pray in a different way, we believe in trinity, our ceremonial way is different, we believe and respect God but in a different way; they do. We respect and honor prophets but we are not too rigid and thus Muslims believe that we have insulting approach which is not true thus they consider it blasphemy. With the passage of the time, new, talented and competent young leader raised up in this arena. Albert David is one young emerging politician with his platform “Pakistan United Christian Movement - PUCM”. He has proven track record of his success in his field and ambition to bring change. Sajid Ishaq, a young social activist and politician gives the impression to teach the youth for better future. Sohail Johnson, chairman Sharing Life Ministry, brilliant person, companionate and is doing wonderful job in humanitarian field. Farrukh H Saif, chief of World Vision in Progress - WVIP has been rescuing the persecutors for years. Pakistan Christian Congress – PCC, a political party came in with new changes and working on unity. Tahir Naveed Chaudhry has recently formed a new political party. Naila J Dayal, chairperson Christian Progressive Movement, has been working for years. And there are so many human right activists and politicians working within their resources. The keystone for raising efficiency has to tie up in cord; often even the threat of competition spurs innovation, so allowing more players in is a win-win for all. Let’s face it, given the challenges that face Christian today in Pakistan.

Pakistan used to have a noticeable Christian presence. I urge these and others zealous for the protection of Christianity in the country. Let’s join hands together, putting our time, talent and treasure together and start join effort against this malice, injustice and discrimination in the society. I would humbly request to our religious leadership to act like Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. (Matthew 14:19). Once Jesus has blessed you and now it’s your responsibility to give to the people. Please deliver:                  

Mera Qatil he mera munsif hy (My killer is my judge)

ISLAMABAD: The threat matrix for Pakistan religious minorities has changed radically now after the Pakistan Muslim League (N) came in power. There was numerous blasphemy cases registered in the Punjab province during the rule PML-N regime in the past and the same practice was on. A Christian family including children and women were burnt alive and the Christian colony was set ablaze in Gojra city in 2009. In the city of province Punjab, Sangla Hill and Joseph Colony, Lahore; the same practice seen, blasphemy case were registered for their vested interest but no action is being taken against the forged complainants. 

This is not the end, as soon as the PML-N government came in power in the federal, Islamabad slum settlements were cautioned to vacate and were considered encroachment. The inhabitants were there for four decades. Now officials in capital of Punjab province, Agency, along with the police from different stations reached at the Katchi abadi in Qaziabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, with bulldozers and excavators in the early morning. The workers began demolishing houses amid cries of women and children. Punjab government seems in hurry now to crush the Christians during their rule. The colony was reportedly built some 40 years ago and during the Nawaz Sharif’s first government, he then promised them that no one would force them to leave their houses. But during his this rule he has lifted them all. 

Recently Islamabad High Court’s Justice Shaoukat Aziz Siddique had directed Capital Development Authority – CDA to clear the slum settlements from the Capital, Islamabad. Let me give you Urdu poetry; [Mera qatil he mira munsif hy, kia mery haq mein faisla dy ga]. (My killer is my judge, will he decide anything in my favor)      

The case is not related to Christian only but others are suffering too. A university professor was entangled in blasphemy case and his attorney was killed. A blasphemy case was registered against 65 protesters in his favor. Shaista Wahidi (Geo TV anchor), her TV owner and two partakers were had to flee from the country due to this reason. A man in small district, Shariq pur; accused of blasphemy case was killed during his judicial investigation. A foreign national non-Muslim doctor was killed during his visit to Pakistan.    

Pakistan is a country where majority of its population is living below poverty line. Unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and terrorism are common problems. But religious minorities face discriminatory laws and other issues as well. Christians in the country stands nowhere, if live along seasonal drainage or kitchi abadi, it is considered encroachments, if take a sip of water, then they consider untouchable and sent to jail for life imprisonment; which is the basic reason with Asia Bibi has been suffering for years. Lahore High Court is hanging her case hearing with lame less excuse. Another pregnant woman was killed right under the nose of Lahore High Court, Lahore. Law and order situation is beyond control.  

The problem with Pakistani Christian is unity. Fortunately or unfortunately; they are all born leaders and do not want to sit with others. I personally feel this is basic reason of their sufferings. During the last two decades; Hindu minority have proven that they are the largest minority in the country. None of Christian parliamentarian has spoken even a single word for their favor in NA. There are two mummies seen who always seen roaming about here and there during the session in recent one year.

Unfortunately we don’t have any national level regular platform to highlight the issues, national papers and private TV channels don’t give ample space for Pakistani Christians issues. Although there are some private TV channels running under Christian religious administration but again I would say, these people have made it family ownership and promoting their families instead raising real cause and issues Christians are facing and we can’t highlight the actual issues. Their agenda is totally different.   

Religious leaders and social activists are running for their vested interests. Many Christian families are suffering in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. UNHCR is not paying heed to these asylum seekers. They have reportedly paid in hundred thousand for immigration. Most of the Christians are shifting to other countries and rests do not find any future in the country. Are we equal citizen; If not should we stand for our rights? 

Each one – Teach one

Creation of the Country:

Pakistan came into being in 1947 under the leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Jinnah had repeatedly promised equality of citizenship, but this promise was not kept by his successors. Pakistan became an Islamic Republic in 1956, making Islam the source of legislation and cornerstone of the national identity, while guaranteeing freedom of religion and equal citizenship to all citizens. With the governments of Z. A. Bhutto and Zia-ul-Haq more inflexibly Islamic laws transformed Pakistan.

During the regime of these two rulers, Christians of the country were divergent. This is evidenced in cities established by the British, such as the port city of Karachi, where the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pakistan’s largest church, stands, and the churches in the city of Rawalpindi, where the British established a major military cantonment. European and wealthy native Christians established colleges, churches, hospitals and schools in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Roman Catholics and other protestant denominations have organized themselves throughout the country. Politically, groups like the Pakistan Christian Congress - PCC have arisen. Christians had second largest educational and health chain in the country. The civil dictator Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had been engaged in re-action and nationalized Christian’s health and educational institutions.

Constitutional Discrimination:

Z. A. Bhutto introduced discriminatory laws against religious minorities. He declared Ahamdis as non-Muslims, thus it opens new doors to constitutional discrimination. Non – Muslims are barred from becoming the President or Prime Minister. Furthermore, they are barred from being judges in the Federal Shariat Court, which has the power to strike down any law deemed un-Islamic. Chief justice of the Supreme Court, chief of Army Staff and chief minister and governorship is not mentioned in the constitution but it is unseen restriction.  Several hundred Christians along with Muslims themselves have been persecuted under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, and death sentences have been handed out to at least a dozen. Force conversion is on; while conversion to other faiths than Islam is not prohibited by law. Blasphemy law is widely used for vested interested. Misuse of blasphemy laws become practice. Churches and Christian’s colonies are attacked and set ablaze. Thus Pakistan becomes a state of perpetual fear for minorities.

Division among Christians created:

With the start of new era, President (ex) Parvez Musharaf introduced new electoral system for minorities. This opens new doors to corruption; affluent members from the minorities become parliamentarians. Minorities are divided into two groups, some are in favor of the present electoral system, and others are struggling to restore the democratic electoral system for minorities. Muslim political parties have introduced “Minorities Wings” and thus they have created division. The selected segment follows the same agenda of their mother party. This clearly means they are not representing their community but their lords.

Flimsy Dwellers:

Most of the Christians in the country are living below poverty line. Mostly live in slums, known as “katchi abadis” and often euphemistically called “colonies” are tucked into the corners of the big cities’ neat grid pattern. They house tens of thousands of people unable to afford the city’s high rents, in flimsy dwellings put up with concrete, bricks and sacking. Some are located on drainage cuts designed to channel away the heavy rains of the monsoon, and many have no access to electricity, gas or main water supplies. These poor people can afford tuition fees, so their children remain uneducated. Ironically Christian institutions instead paying attention towards deserving students, they expel them from their institutions. According to the data given by social activist, in Rawalpindi district only more than 30 students were expelled this year due to non-payment of the tuition fee. Still Christian organization claim that they are serving poor Christians. Sources said that some Korean organization was interested to establish an institution to educate Christian students, but due to the self-centeredness of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance–APMA’s leadership, they rolled back their plan. This attitude shows their commitment towards Christian betterment. It is observed during the last decade that every third self proclaimed chairman with some financial background has started “face book” political party. Honestly speaking, if they contribute in community development instead self projection.

Recommendations:

Since Christians are being persecuted under the severe condition, all prominent Christian leadership should stand shoulder to shoulder to each other. Each and every in charge of these parties should take responsibility to teach at least one Christian student for better future generation. Educational institutions with religious back ground should take in deserving student. There are some individuals and organizations are doing do well. But if the available resources are divided and destroyed into non-productive business, the result would be same.     

Threats – a juvenile prank or serious issue

Religious persecution is not the only reason which compels Pakistanis to seek asylum elsewhere. Many a time, Pakistanis are forced to flee from their country because of their affiliation or lack of the same thoughts. I always wonder was the country made only for single Muslim school of thought, who always attack on other faiths and threaten them to leave the country. No not, Pakistan is just as much a home to Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shias and nobody has right to expel anyone from their homeland. However, expulsion continues to take place on gun point and many a time over the lifeless bodies of loved ones. Infect we always think that misfortune always falls on other people and somehow we always stay away from such things until the violence strikes at our home.

I see many Pakistanis are seeking asylum in foreign countries and most of them instigate violence themselves and ignite the fury of others so that they can seek political or religious asylum in foreign countries. Many Christian families are living in UK, USA, Canada and other European countries. Seeking asylum is not easy and people who say that people do it deliberately should go to see, where many asylum seekers from different countries work day in and day out to feed their families. Seeing their faces will make you understand that what they have chosen has been the lesser of two evils as a last resort. 

According to the sources, around 8000 families are seeking asylum in Thailand, Srilanka, and Malaysia. Most of the asylum seekers who leave Pakistan in hopes of a better and safer future reached destitute or have meager funds which only last for a very small period of time. Most of them have to accept odd jobs and work at less than minimum wage until their resident status is approved by the immigration authorities. But I don’t see any positive response from the authorities or UNHCR. Colombo Gazette reported that there are around 600 Pakistani Christians are currently seeking asylum in Sri Lanka. 

Basharat Khakhor visiting UNHCR office in Thailand

Many of the families have sold their houses and lost their job in hopes of a better and safer future, told Basharat Khokher after his visit to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. According to Basharat Khokhar some Human Right Champions are involved in human trafficking on the name of asylum in different countries. He condemn this act of Human Right Organization instead being supportive they are playing with their future. He said he met with many families there and now some of them are backing to rejoin their jobs, realizing the situation and bleak future.

He mentioned Pakistan European Christian Association – PECA and few others, I tried to call on the given number and have left massage but there is no response so far.

Nazir S Bhatti, President Pakistan Christian Congress – PCC have expressed his concern over the unprecedented delay shown by UNHCR offices in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand in processing applications for thousands of Pakistani Christian asylum seekers. The PCC chief appealed to UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon that cases of the Pakistani Christians in these countries be considered on a priority bases for refugee status. He said they are living in miserable human conditions for years and have been waiting for their applications to be considered.

Refugees have no right to work legally, and it is difficult to find employment, even in the informal sector. Most urban refugees in Thailand live a precarious existence: unable to work, often unable to send their children to school, they are typically financially stressed, dependent on ad-hoc charity to survive, at risk of exploitation and constantly worried about being arrested and indefinitely detained. Most of them reached there with a genuine passport and tourist visa. They are usually exhausted most of their savings to come to Thailand. Once their tourist visas expire, under Thai law, they are considered illegal migrants. As a result, they are at constant risk of arrest and extort refugees and then release them, but arrest can also result in indefinite detention. Pakistani Christians often face harassment and discrimination in churches from the Thai community. Many were unaware how difficult conditions would be in Thailand before they came, often having been misled by “agents or people-smugglers.”

Even if refugees obtain refugee status, their chances of being resettled outside of Thailand are not high, and they face serious ongoing protection problems while they remain in Thailand.

I left their shops and homes with a very heavy heart, fervently praying that Pakistan would once again become a tolerant and progressive society where people can enjoy equal rights.

Christian marriage is covenant not sexual contract

ISLAMABAD: …at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19: 4-6

In the end of February, 2014, a section of theChristian Divorce Act 1869 has been challenged before the Lahore High Court for being “offensive and insulting” to women. The petitioner was going through a divorce and that a petition for maintenance was pending before a civil court. He said under section 10 of the Christian Divorce Act 1869 he could only divorce his wife if he accused her of adultery. He said he could not make an accusation he did not believe to be true. He claimed that the Act had existed since the colonial times, so he requested the court to declare section 10 of the Act ultra vires and in contravention of the constitution through exercise of judicial review. He claimed that in several countries, including the UK and the USA, allowed a Christian man to file for a divorce on grounds like unreasonable behavior which enabled divorce petitions to be dealt in an expeditious manner. He keeps on saying that divorces under the Act had been tarnishing the image of innocent women.

The petitioner seems Christian by faith and wanted to leave his wife for his lustful desire because the reason he mentioned that he and his wife were not happy together. He said that he also did not get along with his in-laws. In Christianity the only reason to divorce is adultery. Couples may separate but no divorce. Christ Jesus clearly teaches about divorce that “….anyone that divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulterous, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery”. Matthew 5:32 NIV

Divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus day. God intends marriage to be a lifetime commitment (Genesis 2:24). When entering into marriage, people should never consider divorce an option for solving problems or a way out of a relationship that seems dead. In these verses, Jesus is also attacking those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce to satisfy their lustful desire to marry someone else. Are your actions today helping your marriage growing stronger or are you tearing it apart? Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulness. This does not mean that divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultery. The word translated “unfaithfulness” implies a sexually immoral lifestyle, not a confessed and repented act of adultery. Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile, and restore the relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it.

Once the disciples asked did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away. Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:8-9

We need to passion in the marriage relationship to keep the commitment and intimacy satisfying, but this passion should be focused exclusively on our spouse. It is clearly written, “I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment, says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. Malachi 2:16

Has not, God made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his; and why one? Because He seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Divorce in these times was practiced exclusively by men. They broke faith with their wives and ignored the bonding between a husband and a wife that God instills (the two become one person), as well as his purpose for them (raising children who love the Lord, “Godly off springs”). Not only were men breaking faith with their wives, they also were ignoring the bonging relationship and spiritual purpose of being united with God.

Biblically speaking the only reason to divorce is adultery. Now the couple may separate but not divorce. The bane of Christianity in the west has been the church “accepting” divorce and allowing remarriage for other reasons. This has deteriorated the church till it is just like the world, so witness is ineffective. Proper course would be for husband and wife to talk through issues – without input from anyone else. If each truly choose and act in love for good of the other before self issues will resolve.

The court directed him to bring relevant documents before the court at the next hearing, date for which would be fixed by the registrar’s office. So I recommend better to take these documents with him, if he is sincere to his wife otherwise; he would be interested to fulfill  his lustful desires or someone working behind him for his vested interest. 

Christian couple sentence to death

On March 27, a session court in Lahore sentenced a Christian man at the heart of the controversy that triggered the riots to death for blasphemy. After a week, on April 4, 2014, session court in Toba Tak Singh announced death sentence for a Christian couple, Shafaqat Emmanuel and his wife Shagufta Kauser, accused of sending blasphemous text massages.

According to World Vision in Progress, additional session judge, Mian Amir Habib has announced the death sentence for a Christian couple accused of blasphemy case. Last year, on July 21^st, 2013, a crippled Shafaqat Emmanuel and his wife Shagafta Kauser were arrested under First Investigation Report – FIR No. 407/13 under section 295-B & C, allegedly sending blasphemous text massages to the local Muslims. WVIP reported that neither the SIM card was registered with their names nor the couple was qualified enough to write these text in English. Furrakh H Saif, chief of WVIP managing the case said that the hypocrisy and the shallowness of our legal system stands exposed. As usual, the lower court has gone with the populist, Islamist stance on a sensitive blasphemy case and kicked the ball down the road to the high court. The blasphemy law will continue to bed evil Pakistan as long as they are on the statute books and local courts remain susceptible to fear of or coercion by violent extremists, he said.

In this situation we fear that Pastor Adnan and Asif Pervaiz could be other victims of our Pakistani extra judicial killing, he added.

A recent report from a US government advisory panel said Pakistan used blasphemy laws more than any other country in the world; listing 15 people on death row and 19 others serving life sentences.

In January 2014, an elderly Briton was sentenced to death for blasphemy; though his lawyers said that court failed consider “overwhelming” evidence of his mental illness.