Fire is still burning

By – Shamim Masih

During the candle vigil

ISLAMABAD: On November 04, a Christian married couple, who tried to get released from their bondage labor agreement at a brick kiln was beaten, stripped and tossed them into the burning kiln oven.  At a factual level, there was a protest against a Christian couple in different cities of the country. Due to some reasons, I went there after a week and found that fire was still burning at the place where Christian couple was burnt alive. When the Christian couple wanted to get rid of the labor bondage, the owner demanded an insoluble amount for their release. There were around fifty families living and working at Yousaf Gujjar Bricks Company in Chack no. 59. Five of them were Christian, Shahzad (his real name is Sijjad) and his three brothers and one other family. Late evening on November 13, 4 Christian families came there to take their belongings and went in search of better livings.

Iqbal Masih, Shahbaz Masih and Saleem Masih, three brothers of deceased couple are now displaced from the place where their brother and sister in law were burnt alive. Around 30 members of four families are displaced recently. Sohail Johnson, chairman Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan – SLMP said that this is not the end, not only these Christian families are displaced there are ten Christian families living in the same village are under extreme threats. He said we are planning to provide shelter to directly affected families in this incident.   

displaced families taking their belongings

Although Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the family of the deceased Christian couple and announced a compensation of Rs. 5 million and 10 acres of land for the family. But I didn’t see, anything done in practical from the either side. Mr. Sharif, please don’t tag the death with money, try to improve law and order and give protection to minorities of the country. A sordid, disgusting and hate filled tragedy incited by a mullah. Should there not be laws forbidding mullahs to sermon such demagogic language from mosques? Their relative, Javed Shahzad have been taking caring of these families since the incident happened but for how long he will do as middle class member of the society.

Even if we believe that Islam is peaceful religion, how can we forget the fact that Muslims are persecuting and butchering minorities especially Christians left and right in the Muslim dominated countries?  Most recently, the atrocities of the ISIS terrorists committed against the ever decreasing Christian minority in the area they control in Iraq and Syria. The situation is not different in Egypt, Nigeria and Sudan. We have observed that Pakistan has given ample and repeated proof of its inability to protect minorities.

with three brothers of deceased Christian couple

In this situation, President Barak Obama, while heading Christian State, is reportedly making Muslimsresettlement in Christian majority country to a dangerous proposition for his vested interests. He is allowing Muslims with an Islamic supremacist mentality to America. Not only this Australia and England have been reportedly settling thousands of Muslims families including Afghan and Shia Hazara community. While Christians in Pakistan experienced abuse of murder, rape, forced conversions, church burnings and more. But Christian majority countries in EU, UK and American are strict to grant even a visit visa to any Pakistani Christians. Most recently National Cathedral, a landmark Christian church in the US capitalwas opened for Muslims to say Friday prayer. On the other hand, way to Makah & Medina is out of bound for Non-Muslims.

Pakistan (the State) has been witnessing a rising tide of moral policing in recent times with vigilante group of both the left and right and the majority taking upon themselves the job of policing neighborhoods, harassing minorities and running campaigns of calumny against chosen targets. It will continue until you stop the mullahs. The maulivis used the mosque loudspeakers to fan the winds of hatred. They do and keep on doing because there is no one to stop them. It will not stop until Christian started to teach them the virtues not of passive but active resistance as MQM did in the past. 

Rise up for “A Cause”

By – Shamim Masih

Sijjad & Saima

ISLAMABAD: On November 04, 2014, it was bright sunny day in Pakistan, and Shia Muslims were mourning over the incident happened hundreds years ago in Karbala. Due to 10^th Muharram event, mobile service was off in the major cities of the country and thus internet was not working as well in our surroundings. In the morning, my friend Sohail Johnson told me on the phone that a mob attacked on a Christian couple and burnt their bodies at a brick kiln where they worked. Due to the distortion in the line, I could not hear it clearly but I perceived that the poor Christian couple met a terrible end. Later I got the detailed story, according to details, a Christian married couple, Sijjad Masih (the name mentioned in the FIR) and his wife Saima Bibi (nick name Shama) were beaten to within an inch of their lives and then burnt alive in an oven of brick kiln. Think of it, all is done in the name of Islam. A false charge of blasphemy was leveled against the couple in what was really a money dispute. Muslim owner of brick kiln exact revenge on non-Muslim by leveling false charges, and the punishments are savage.

To me it is not a new story, it has been happening with Christians for the many years. And it reminds us, the Gojra incident. The laws of Sharia are used to exact revenge against religious minorities. We don’t as yet know, in the absence of any judicial process, if they were guilty of any offence at all. We do know that blasphemy laws in the country have been frequently misused. It is the same practice, they did in 2009 in Gojra, and seven family members were burnt alive. It is systematic approach to wipe out the minorities from the Islamic State of Pakistan. First they accuse them for blasphemy by accusing them of desecrates Quranic and then killing them. This has been their long time approach and the World still watches.    

The controversial blasphemy laws were formulated in the 1980s during General Zia-ul-Haq’s martial law regime. A conviction or merely an accusation of blasphemy can put one’s life in danger. Even if one is acquitted the fear of death at the hands of vigilantes remains. Even the courts and legislators think twice before dwelling into the sensitivities of these issues.

Around 1300 people have been charged under the stringent blasphemy laws of Pakistan between 1986 until 2014. And according to sources, more than 50people accused of blasphemy were killed before their respective trails were over. There are 14 people, who were sentenced to death and are waiting on a death row and 19 were granted life sentence. However, the death sentence has never been implemented. Prior to 1986, only 14 cases pertaining to blasphemy were reported.

Blasphemy is a very sensitive subject in the country, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted, or even just accused of, risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes. In the recent outrageous act in Check No. 59, Sohail Johnson Chairman Sharing Life Ministry – SLMP, reached on the spot at once with his team and had done his job, arguing with the officials in registering first investigating report – FIR, collecting ash and body parts of the deceased. He helped to take them and buried them in their parent village Clarkabad. Few Christian’s political figures were seen there as well.

Tahir Naveed Chaudhry chairman Pakistan Minority Alliance – PMA reached there and staged a protest rally on second day of the incident.

Albert David chairman Pakistan United Christian Movement – PUCM denounced the increasing victimization of religious minorities. He demanded to take strict and immediate action against the people involved in the killing of a Christian couple. He warns the government if the victimization continues people will consider other options.

Sajid Ishaq demanded the government to punish the people who misuse this law. He said the State should made substantial efforts to protect minorities from being victimization by the miscreants. Chief of Pakistani Interfaith League – PIL declared this incident another example of biased behavior and prejudiced mind sets.

Basharat Khokhar, a human right activist declared this brutal killing an inhuman action. He demanded the authority to punish the culprits to set an example for others. There is not rule of law and minorities especially Christians are targeted time to time, he added.

Some other Christian activists in and outside the country have showed their deep concern about the recent incident. Few political and religious figures were also seen in few pictures. All of these people are doing their job but much require to be done. I think, correctly said Albert David that somehow we are increasingly becoming vulnerable to the discriminatory laws and mob violence. And nobody knows who will be the next victim of this law. The sward is hanging on. We need to step forward and take action against this brutality. Enough is enough; all Christian leadership outside the government, should demand the Christian parliamentarians to stand with the community and demand the government to re-visit this law. I tell you if you have not taken solid step to stop them, tomorrow will be your turn. Look, Salman Taseer, Ex-Governor Punjab and Shahbaz Bhatti were ruthlessly murdered in the capital. And the murderer of Salman Taseer lives comfortably in a special cell at Rawalpindi’s Adiayla Jail.

Christians of the country should demand the government to bring amendments in this law and until then should stop its application. U.SCommission on International Religious Freedom has already demanded to stop implementation of blasphemy laws until reforms.

Pak-Stan, Land of pure

Pakistani demanded expulsion of the students for displaying pro-Israel

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi city was seized for three days due to the Moharam riots in October, 2013. Roads were blocked, mobile service was off and the residents faced short fall off their household items. Sunni Muslims wanted to dictate the other faiths of the country. There is large number of Shia Muslims living in the country, on every year when there is Moharam, the situation become worse. This has been on for years, both targets each other; and thus situation is getting worse day by day (I am sorry, but it is fact). When there is different school of thoughts and people are from the different faith, you have to be tolerant. Tolerance is the essence of the faith you believe in.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah has conceived Pakistan as democratic state for Muslims and all others, for they could live together in peace and harmony. And every Pakistani can worship freely according to his belief. Unfortunately religious mind set have started ruling after its independence. As a result, insecurity, terrorism and intolerance are prevailing in the country. No Pakistani feels safe and secure in the country either from majority or minority. Minorities; weak segment of the society is especially targeted but majority Muslims especially shias are not protected.

Recently International Islamic University Islamabad – IIUI arranged international student fair at Faisal Mosque. Students publicly displayed Israeli culture & customs that include Israeli flags, photographs of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho, orthodox Jews, a high-tech manufacturing plant, and Jerusalem’s Al- Aqsa. The mere presence of the display triggered a ferocious and immediate reaction led by religious and student groups on campus and across the country. After a firestorm of criticism, authorities at the university empanelled a disciplinary committee to investigate and punish the students behind a stall. Even this was discussed in the parliament and parliamentarians demanded to take strict action against those students, who have promoted Israeli culture and painted it as land of peace and prosperity. Unfortunately people don’t accept others.

When there is different school of thoughts and people are from the different faith, you have to be tolerant. Since, the people of Pakistan tied with Jordanians and Egyptians are the world’s most anti-Semitic people. According to the most recent Pew Global Attitudes Survey only 2% of all Pakistani polled reported favorable attitudes towards the Jewish people and Israel. Perhaps, they could be Christians. Christians around the world believe Jews as favorite nation of God.

For more than a decade; Pakistan is facing terrorism and you find different protest, mobile phone service off, sit in, energy shortage etc. law and order situation has reached to its worse. Politicians are smashing with each other and nationalism is seen only in papers. Normally on the every other occasion, when people are celebrating their special days, mobile service usually is off. This is so called precautionary measures taken for security reasons.

Biblically speaking, Jews, Christians and Muslims are siblings of Abraham. Thus Pakistani Christians believes and obey the Word of God. We being Christians believe that Jacob (son of Isaac) was named Israel by God. And God loved Israel throughout his life and ordered to bless Israel.  It is written in the Bible; Genesis 27:28-29 ……. May nations serve you and people bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers…… may those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.

When it is written in the Bible, we being Christian have to follow the teaching and we bless Israel. When it is written; those who bless you be blessed. Isaac’s blessing was irrevocable. Israel is land of prophets; most of massagers came from this soil.  

I give you an example, Hindus of India chose to be secular as that is what their religion teaches; acceptance. When there are 330 million gods you have to be tolerant. That is the beauty of pantheism and polytheism. There are around 180 million Muslims in India. Not only population is increasing by the percentage but total population is increasing too. It is due to tolerance from Hindus that Muslims are just multiplying in India.

The authorities have to realize that many Hindus are migrating to India and thousands of Pakistani Christian and Shia Hazaras are seeking asylum in different countries. It doesn’t make any difference if Pakistan does not accept Israel. Israel exists and it is member of United Nations. And most importantly Christ Jesus was born in Jerusalem and set an example of tolerance. Land of peace and prosperity; live long Israel.     

We want justice

We want justice

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: Lahore High Court – LHC judges have saved their skin and confirmed the death sentence of Asiya Bibi. Unfortunately, in high profile case of Asiya Bibi, the radical groups are also tracking her case and their presences in the court have shown that they were willing to keep Asiya’s death sentence confirmed. I am just hypothesizing but I am sure that Justice Anwar ul Haq while deciding Asiya’s case at the LHC must be thinking about Salman Taseer (late) and Shahbaz Bhatti (late) and their own security.

Asiya Bibi was first sentenced to death in 2010, and now LHC uphold her death sentence. The mother of 5 was accused of blaspheming against Prophet Mohammad following an argument with two Muslim co-workers during an incident in 2009 in one of her parent village.  There are dozen of the people waiting for their fate in different jails of the country and many from the religious minorities were sentenced to death under 295-C PPC. The constitution of the country is;

295.

Injuring or defiling place of worship, with Intent to insult the religion of any class: Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction damage or defilement as an insult to their religion. Shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

295-A.

Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs: Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the 'religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.

295-B.	Defiling, etc., of Holy Qur'an: Whoever willfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur'an or of an extract there from or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.
295-C.	Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

 Pakistani courts; under any circumstances are very strict to announce death sentence to the accused of blasphemy from the people of religious minorities. And none of the judge from the senior court dares to remove the decision of low court. Likewise, we have seen with Asiya bibi’s case, LHC uphold her death sentence. If so, what about the section 295 A, which says, Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the 'religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.   

During last few years, there are many incidents accrued of this kind; in Shinti nagar, hundred of the Holy Bibles were burnt by mob, during Gojra riots two churches and seven members of a family were burnt alive, Shanti nagar, a Christian village with its churches was burnt, in Mardan, hundred years old church with its old sings, pastor’s house and a school were turned to ash and in Joseph Colony hundreds of the houses and two churches were burnt.  Alas! No is being punished by the court. Many Muslims involved in riots were arrested and were released after one another. It is clearly seen here that JUDGES decision seem biased here. When constitution says whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of the citizen of Pakistan … insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished. Unfortunately the law is being imposed on minorities but rest of majority is not punished.

Was Pakistan being made for this day? Unfortunately; religious mind set segment is ruling in the country and have forgotten that this country was not partitioned from India to become a Muslim state. Primarily founder of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah have conceived it as democratic state for Muslims and all other minorities, for they could live together in peace and harmony and can worship freely. Non Muslims of the region have struggled for this country so that they could be forever protected and treated as equal citizens.

I think there is chance apex court can overturn the death sentence of the blasphemy cases, despite pressure on judges from radical groups that are determined to see her executed. In many cases, especially blasphemy cases, court decisions are influenced, either by ideology or threats, by local radical groups. In this regard, at least President Barack Obama, Pope and other western can play a positive role to convince Pakistani government to ensure justice in blasphemy cases facing death sentence.