by Staff
October 8, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - On September 18, the Nasri Pentecostal Church in Shah Latif Town, Karachi, Pakistan was attacked and vandalized by militants angered over a threat to burn Qur'ans in the United States earlier this month.
"The church gates were open and the locks broken. The attackers broke open a cupboard and vandalized religious items at around midnight," said Pastor Peter Shahzad. Nine copies of the Bible, three hymn books and three wooden crosses were found burned, and a drum was damaged.
It was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (see www.persecution.net/dove.htm for more information). (Source: Union of Catholic Asian News)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09726.shtml
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Pakistan's Christians protest against blasphemy laws and inequality
by ASSIST News ServicePosted: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 11:35 (BST)
Three days prior to Pakistan's 63rd Independence Celebrations, the Christians of the country observed "Black Day" on Wednesday to protest alleged discrimination against them.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's founder, in his famous August 11, 1947, speech to the newly-formed Constituent Assembly promised "freedom and equality" for all faiths in the then new country and so this has become a symbolic date for Christian protests.
The latest protests were staged by Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP). Representatives of churches, Christian rights groups and believers from all walks of life, participated in a protest rally which ended at the Lahore Press Club.
Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, who addressed a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, later told ANS that the "increasing incidents of injustice and discrimination" against Pakistani Christians had prompted his group and other Christian organisations to observe August 11 as "Black Day".
Mr Walter told ANS, "We had urged all like-minded organisations across Pakistan to observe August 11 as 'Black Day' either with us or from their respective platforms."
He said that his group categorically demanded the repeal of Pakistan controversial blasphemy laws and that Pakistan's religious minorities be given the right to cast dual votes. He explained that, if implemented, members of the religious minorities under a dual vote system would be able to cast their vote for a Muslim candidate as well as to a member from minorities' communities on the "reserved seats".
Members of the religious minorities in Pakistan currently make their way to the national and provincial assemblies of Pakistan through the proportional representation system.
Criticising this system, Walter alleged that the people who make it to the national and provincial assemblies under proportional representation "only serve rulers instead of serving their respective communities".
Mr Walter added, "They are not accountable to the members of their respective community, but to the leadership of the political party that they belong to.
"The existing members of minorities in Parliament are puppets in the hands of the rulers. They are advancing the interests of the majority instead of their respective minority community."
He then alleged: "The rulers use them to stop the oppressed from agitating against the oppressors."
Walter said that he was of the view that under the Dual Vote System, the elected parliamentarians of minorities' communities would be accountable to their respective minority community.
When asked if he was in favour of an amendment in the blasphemy laws or even their repeal, Mr Walter said that the laws should be "repealed once and for all".
The Christian rights activist then claimed that there was "no equality" in Pakistan.
"I only wish there was equality here for people of all faiths," he added. "I wish that the Christians of Pakistan were treated equally in Pakistan as the Muslims and other religious minorities are treated equally in Western countries."
He also condemned the idea of observing what is called "Minority Day" in Pakistan.
"What is the rationale behind observing 'Minority Day' in Pakistan when the Christians of this country are being shot dead under the pretext of blasphemy?," he argued.
"Why should the Christians of Pakistan observe 'Minority Day' when their places of worship are being desecrated; when their homes are being burned down; and Christian girls are being raped?" he went on to say.
Mr Walter said that HRFP was planning to host Minorities Conference in Pakistan in future to discuss all the difficulties that these groups face.
"We will continue our struggle for equal rights for Pakistani minorities including Pakistani Christians," he vowed.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistans.christians.protest.against.blasphemy.laws.and.inequality/26483.htm
Three days prior to Pakistan's 63rd Independence Celebrations, the Christians of the country observed "Black Day" on Wednesday to protest alleged discrimination against them.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's founder, in his famous August 11, 1947, speech to the newly-formed Constituent Assembly promised "freedom and equality" for all faiths in the then new country and so this has become a symbolic date for Christian protests.
The latest protests were staged by Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP). Representatives of churches, Christian rights groups and believers from all walks of life, participated in a protest rally which ended at the Lahore Press Club.
Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, who addressed a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, later told ANS that the "increasing incidents of injustice and discrimination" against Pakistani Christians had prompted his group and other Christian organisations to observe August 11 as "Black Day".
Mr Walter told ANS, "We had urged all like-minded organisations across Pakistan to observe August 11 as 'Black Day' either with us or from their respective platforms."
He said that his group categorically demanded the repeal of Pakistan controversial blasphemy laws and that Pakistan's religious minorities be given the right to cast dual votes. He explained that, if implemented, members of the religious minorities under a dual vote system would be able to cast their vote for a Muslim candidate as well as to a member from minorities' communities on the "reserved seats".
Members of the religious minorities in Pakistan currently make their way to the national and provincial assemblies of Pakistan through the proportional representation system.
Criticising this system, Walter alleged that the people who make it to the national and provincial assemblies under proportional representation "only serve rulers instead of serving their respective communities".
Mr Walter added, "They are not accountable to the members of their respective community, but to the leadership of the political party that they belong to.
"The existing members of minorities in Parliament are puppets in the hands of the rulers. They are advancing the interests of the majority instead of their respective minority community."
He then alleged: "The rulers use them to stop the oppressed from agitating against the oppressors."
Walter said that he was of the view that under the Dual Vote System, the elected parliamentarians of minorities' communities would be accountable to their respective minority community.
When asked if he was in favour of an amendment in the blasphemy laws or even their repeal, Mr Walter said that the laws should be "repealed once and for all".
The Christian rights activist then claimed that there was "no equality" in Pakistan.
"I only wish there was equality here for people of all faiths," he added. "I wish that the Christians of Pakistan were treated equally in Pakistan as the Muslims and other religious minorities are treated equally in Western countries."
He also condemned the idea of observing what is called "Minority Day" in Pakistan.
"What is the rationale behind observing 'Minority Day' in Pakistan when the Christians of this country are being shot dead under the pretext of blasphemy?," he argued.
"Why should the Christians of Pakistan observe 'Minority Day' when their places of worship are being desecrated; when their homes are being burned down; and Christian girls are being raped?" he went on to say.
Mr Walter said that HRFP was planning to host Minorities Conference in Pakistan in future to discuss all the difficulties that these groups face.
"We will continue our struggle for equal rights for Pakistani minorities including Pakistani Christians," he vowed.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistans.christians.protest.against.blasphemy.laws.and.inequality/26483.htm
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Two Christians murdered after accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan
by Staff
August 11, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Rev. Rashid Emmanuel (32) and his younger brother, Sajid Emmanuel (30), were shot and killed on July 19 after they were accused of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad. The two men, leaders of United Ministries Pakistan, were being returned to jail under police custody when they were attacked and shot by several masked men. Sajid was instantly killed, while Rashid later died from his injuries. The bodies of the two reportedly bore cuts and other signs of being tortured while in police custody.
Rashid was arrested for blasphemy on July 1 at a train station, where he went to meet with a stranger who had requested to see him. When Rashid arrived he was surrounded by police, who showed him copies of a three-page document that insulted Muhammad and was supposedly signed by Rashid and Sajid. Police arrested Sajid three days later. On July 14, handwriting experts notified police that the signatures on the blasphemous document did not match the brothers' writing. Sources believe the brothers were likely to be exonerated of the charges.
When news of the murder reached the brothers' neighbourhood of Dawood Nagar, Faisalabad, Christians gathered to protest. Police fired teargas cannons at the protestors, who in turn threw stones. The situation quickly became volatile, with indiscriminate shooting occurring between Christians and Muslims. At last report, a curfew had been initiated in the area.
In the days before the murder, Muslims organized large demonstrations calling for the death penalty for the brothers. Islamic extremists reportedly led the protests, which were attended by hundreds of Muslims. A church building was damaged and believers hid in their homes or fled the area. Announcements were also broadcasted from mosque loudspeakers, calling on Muslims to "burn the houses of Christians." (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09579.shtml
August 11, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Rev. Rashid Emmanuel (32) and his younger brother, Sajid Emmanuel (30), were shot and killed on July 19 after they were accused of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad. The two men, leaders of United Ministries Pakistan, were being returned to jail under police custody when they were attacked and shot by several masked men. Sajid was instantly killed, while Rashid later died from his injuries. The bodies of the two reportedly bore cuts and other signs of being tortured while in police custody.
Rashid was arrested for blasphemy on July 1 at a train station, where he went to meet with a stranger who had requested to see him. When Rashid arrived he was surrounded by police, who showed him copies of a three-page document that insulted Muhammad and was supposedly signed by Rashid and Sajid. Police arrested Sajid three days later. On July 14, handwriting experts notified police that the signatures on the blasphemous document did not match the brothers' writing. Sources believe the brothers were likely to be exonerated of the charges.
When news of the murder reached the brothers' neighbourhood of Dawood Nagar, Faisalabad, Christians gathered to protest. Police fired teargas cannons at the protestors, who in turn threw stones. The situation quickly became volatile, with indiscriminate shooting occurring between Christians and Muslims. At last report, a curfew had been initiated in the area.
In the days before the murder, Muslims organized large demonstrations calling for the death penalty for the brothers. Islamic extremists reportedly led the protests, which were attended by hundreds of Muslims. A church building was damaged and believers hid in their homes or fled the area. Announcements were also broadcasted from mosque loudspeakers, calling on Muslims to "burn the houses of Christians." (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09579.shtml
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Muslims kill Christian woman and children in Pakistan
by Staff
August 4, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Christian woman and her four children were murdered by a Muslim mob in Jhelum, Pakistan after her 11-year-old son was accused of committing blasphemy.
On June 21, the Christian boy went to the local store to buy laundry detergent. The shopkeeper, upon learning the boy was a Christian, refused to sell any products to him. When the boy returned home and informed his mother of the incident, she phoned her husband -- Jamshed Masih -- and asked him to rush home from work.
Before he was able to return, Muslim residents arrived at the family's home and accused the boy of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. When Jamshed's wife argued against the accusation, they killed her and the children -- two boys and two girls.
Authorities are reportedly too fearful of the local Muslim leader to file charges. The family had earlier been warned by the Muslim leader to leave the predominately Muslim area. (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09557.shtml
August 4, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Christian woman and her four children were murdered by a Muslim mob in Jhelum, Pakistan after her 11-year-old son was accused of committing blasphemy.
On June 21, the Christian boy went to the local store to buy laundry detergent. The shopkeeper, upon learning the boy was a Christian, refused to sell any products to him. When the boy returned home and informed his mother of the incident, she phoned her husband -- Jamshed Masih -- and asked him to rush home from work.
Before he was able to return, Muslim residents arrived at the family's home and accused the boy of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. When Jamshed's wife argued against the accusation, they killed her and the children -- two boys and two girls.
Authorities are reportedly too fearful of the local Muslim leader to file charges. The family had earlier been warned by the Muslim leader to leave the predominately Muslim area. (Source: Compass Direct)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09557.shtml
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The high price of being a Christian in Pakistan
The number of Christians being accused of blasphemy in Pakistan has spiked in recent months and young Christians especially may not be able to take much more, warns Nasir Saeed.
The last two months have seen an intensification of the level of discrimination and persecution against Christians, particularly women and young girls. Kidnap, rape, forced marriage and forced conversion to Islam have sadly become everyday occurrences.
No one wants to hear about the degradation of innocent Christian girls, but to remain silent about it would be a greater crime. My hope is that, in sharing news of these crimes, you will not only be better informed of the harsh reality facing so many Christians in Pakistan every day, but also in a better position to help them win justice.
Christians and especially young Christian girls are paying a high price for being Christians in an Islamic society and the proliferation of attacks and accusations in recent months is reaching an unprecedented level. Christian girls are looked down upon with hatred, regarded as inferiors, and treated by men like ‘mal-e-ganimat’ (the term used to describe booty seized during the Islamic war).
In the last few months, three members of the same Christian family have been forced to flee their home because of charges of blasphemy against them, despite there being no evidence to support the claims, and in Faisalabad, the Christian community remains on high alert after two pastors were imprisoned on blasphemy charges and hundreds of Muslim extremists took part in a demonstration against Christians, burning car tyres and throwing stones at a local church.
My fear is that the prolonged suffering is only sowing a seed of rebellion in the hearts of poor and deprived young Christians. As things move from bad to worse, there is a very real danger that the sense of injustice among Christians will spill over.
Despite religious intolerance being at an all-time high, the Pakistani government, politicians and Muslim religious leaders are failing to take it seriously. The police rarely bother to investigate a case until it is pursued by an NGO, church leader or influential individual. Most of the cases are dropped because of pressure from influential Muslims or because the injured parties – very often being in remote and poor areas of Pakistan - lack the money or know-how to see their complaint through.
That being the case, it is difficult to identify the exact number of cases of persecution but it is likely to be much higher than we think because many cases are simply not reported in the media and oftentimes, victims do not come forward to report the injustices meted out against them.
It gives me no pleasure to bring news of persecution but by doing this, I believe you will be in a better position to identify what part you can play in supporting your brothers and sisters as they continue their struggle to receive the same fair treatment as every other Pakistani citizen. At a time when help is in short supply, pray for them, encourage them with letters and messages of hope, and, most importantly, be their voice where you are.
Nasir Saeed is Coordinator of the Centre for Legal Aid and Assistance, a ministry which provides free legal assistance and practical support to persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.high.price.of.being.a.christian.in.pakistan/26309.htm
The last two months have seen an intensification of the level of discrimination and persecution against Christians, particularly women and young girls. Kidnap, rape, forced marriage and forced conversion to Islam have sadly become everyday occurrences.
No one wants to hear about the degradation of innocent Christian girls, but to remain silent about it would be a greater crime. My hope is that, in sharing news of these crimes, you will not only be better informed of the harsh reality facing so many Christians in Pakistan every day, but also in a better position to help them win justice.
Christians and especially young Christian girls are paying a high price for being Christians in an Islamic society and the proliferation of attacks and accusations in recent months is reaching an unprecedented level. Christian girls are looked down upon with hatred, regarded as inferiors, and treated by men like ‘mal-e-ganimat’ (the term used to describe booty seized during the Islamic war).
In the last few months, three members of the same Christian family have been forced to flee their home because of charges of blasphemy against them, despite there being no evidence to support the claims, and in Faisalabad, the Christian community remains on high alert after two pastors were imprisoned on blasphemy charges and hundreds of Muslim extremists took part in a demonstration against Christians, burning car tyres and throwing stones at a local church.
My fear is that the prolonged suffering is only sowing a seed of rebellion in the hearts of poor and deprived young Christians. As things move from bad to worse, there is a very real danger that the sense of injustice among Christians will spill over.
Despite religious intolerance being at an all-time high, the Pakistani government, politicians and Muslim religious leaders are failing to take it seriously. The police rarely bother to investigate a case until it is pursued by an NGO, church leader or influential individual. Most of the cases are dropped because of pressure from influential Muslims or because the injured parties – very often being in remote and poor areas of Pakistan - lack the money or know-how to see their complaint through.
That being the case, it is difficult to identify the exact number of cases of persecution but it is likely to be much higher than we think because many cases are simply not reported in the media and oftentimes, victims do not come forward to report the injustices meted out against them.
It gives me no pleasure to bring news of persecution but by doing this, I believe you will be in a better position to identify what part you can play in supporting your brothers and sisters as they continue their struggle to receive the same fair treatment as every other Pakistani citizen. At a time when help is in short supply, pray for them, encourage them with letters and messages of hope, and, most importantly, be their voice where you are.
Nasir Saeed is Coordinator of the Centre for Legal Aid and Assistance, a ministry which provides free legal assistance and practical support to persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.high.price.of.being.a.christian.in.pakistan/26309.htm
Monday, July 19, 2010
Pakistan: Christians fear more unrest after arrest of ministry leaders
Muslims in the Pakistani city of Faisalabad are threatening to torch the houses of Christians after the arrest of two Christian brothers over alleged blasphemy charges in the first week of July, ANS has learned.
Walter Naveed of Human Rights Focus Pakistan told ANS that Rashid Emmanuel, 32 and Sajid Masih, 30, had been running "United Ministries Pakistan" for the last two years in Daudnagar near the Warispura Christian colony of Faisalabad.
He said the pair was accused by Khurram Shahzad, a Muslim man, of pasting allegedly blasphemous posters in a truck station in Faisalabad.
"The arrests have provoked Muslims to take out agitation rallies across Faisalabad," Naveed told ANS.
He explained how they had been set up.
"They (Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih) received a phone call a week ago. The caller told them that he would like to meet them in connection with their ministry's website," said Naveed.
When Rashid went to meet the caller at the nearby railway station, the appointed venue of the meeting, the police were already there waiting for him.
Mr Naveed said that the police took Rashid to police station and he was later charged with committing blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad.
"When Sajid, Rashid's brother, went to tell the police that his brother was innocent, he too was arrested by the police."
The two Christian men now could face the death penalty.
295-C of Pakistan Penal Code reads: "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 Mohammed (PBUH) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
Naveed disclosed that Khurram Shahzad had lodged a police First Information Report (FIR) against Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih and quoted him as stating stating that he read many posters containing "blasphemous content" in the Faisalabad Lorry Station and that details of the United Ministries Pakistan were present on the posters.
Naveed said that Khurram Shahzad stated in the FIR that he took the poster to the owner of the steel factory where he worked and quotes the complainant as stating in the FIR that the factory owner's eyes "welled with tears" as he read the poster so he accompanied with Khurram Shahzad to the police station.
Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid's family members have fled to safety, fearing more trouble, according to Naveed.
He described the situation in Warispura Christian colony in Faisalabad as "tense" and that the Christians there are hoping not to face a "Gojra-like situation".
Gojra, a small town in province Punjab of Pakistan exploded into international limelight last year when seven Christians were burned alive by angry Muslims over rumors that Christians had committed blasphemy.
Naveed said that the Christians of Warispura, a large Christian colony in Faisalabad, are feeling "highly insecure" after Muslims have held a string of rallies over the past week.
The local human rights activist said that a large number of enraged Muslims attended a rally in Warispura on Monday, and among those there were students of nearby Madrassas (religious schools).
Mr Naveed said that agitation rallies were taken out across Faisalabad city on Tuesday. He said these rallies headed towards Ghantaghar and Railway Road Faisalabad.
He quoted one of his friends, who had heard on mosque announcements provoking Muslims to protest at a rally and also to "burn the houses of Christians".
Neveed said that Muslims could not succeed in setting Christians' houses on fire on Friday but did not rule out this possibility in the days to come "as the situation on the ground stands tense and uncertain".
He said that Rashid and Sajid were imprisoned in district Jail Faisalabad.
Asked if the two Christian men could be attacked in prison, he referred to "extra judicial killings of Christians in police custody" in past and said that an attempt to kill the two men in prison "could not be ruled out."
According to media reports, the Christians of Daud Nagar, Warispura, Barkatpura, Bilal Town, Ibne Marriam and Jhandapir in Faisalabad are living under constant fear as a result of processions taken out by extremist Muslim organisations.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistan.christians.fear.more.unrest.after.arrest.of.ministry.leaders/26302-2.htm
Walter Naveed of Human Rights Focus Pakistan told ANS that Rashid Emmanuel, 32 and Sajid Masih, 30, had been running "United Ministries Pakistan" for the last two years in Daudnagar near the Warispura Christian colony of Faisalabad.
He said the pair was accused by Khurram Shahzad, a Muslim man, of pasting allegedly blasphemous posters in a truck station in Faisalabad.
"The arrests have provoked Muslims to take out agitation rallies across Faisalabad," Naveed told ANS.
He explained how they had been set up.
"They (Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih) received a phone call a week ago. The caller told them that he would like to meet them in connection with their ministry's website," said Naveed.
When Rashid went to meet the caller at the nearby railway station, the appointed venue of the meeting, the police were already there waiting for him.
Mr Naveed said that the police took Rashid to police station and he was later charged with committing blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad.
"When Sajid, Rashid's brother, went to tell the police that his brother was innocent, he too was arrested by the police."
The two Christian men now could face the death penalty.
295-C of Pakistan Penal Code reads: "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 Mohammed (PBUH) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
Naveed disclosed that Khurram Shahzad had lodged a police First Information Report (FIR) against Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih and quoted him as stating stating that he read many posters containing "blasphemous content" in the Faisalabad Lorry Station and that details of the United Ministries Pakistan were present on the posters.
Naveed said that Khurram Shahzad stated in the FIR that he took the poster to the owner of the steel factory where he worked and quotes the complainant as stating in the FIR that the factory owner's eyes "welled with tears" as he read the poster so he accompanied with Khurram Shahzad to the police station.
Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid's family members have fled to safety, fearing more trouble, according to Naveed.
He described the situation in Warispura Christian colony in Faisalabad as "tense" and that the Christians there are hoping not to face a "Gojra-like situation".
Gojra, a small town in province Punjab of Pakistan exploded into international limelight last year when seven Christians were burned alive by angry Muslims over rumors that Christians had committed blasphemy.
Naveed said that the Christians of Warispura, a large Christian colony in Faisalabad, are feeling "highly insecure" after Muslims have held a string of rallies over the past week.
The local human rights activist said that a large number of enraged Muslims attended a rally in Warispura on Monday, and among those there were students of nearby Madrassas (religious schools).
Mr Naveed said that agitation rallies were taken out across Faisalabad city on Tuesday. He said these rallies headed towards Ghantaghar and Railway Road Faisalabad.
He quoted one of his friends, who had heard on mosque announcements provoking Muslims to protest at a rally and also to "burn the houses of Christians".
Neveed said that Muslims could not succeed in setting Christians' houses on fire on Friday but did not rule out this possibility in the days to come "as the situation on the ground stands tense and uncertain".
He said that Rashid and Sajid were imprisoned in district Jail Faisalabad.
Asked if the two Christian men could be attacked in prison, he referred to "extra judicial killings of Christians in police custody" in past and said that an attempt to kill the two men in prison "could not be ruled out."
According to media reports, the Christians of Daud Nagar, Warispura, Barkatpura, Bilal Town, Ibne Marriam and Jhandapir in Faisalabad are living under constant fear as a result of processions taken out by extremist Muslim organisations.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistan.christians.fear.more.unrest.after.arrest.of.ministry.leaders/26302-2.htm
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Christian man burned alive, wife raped in Pakistan
by Staff
March 31, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Pakistani Christian man passed away on March 22 after he was set on fire by Muslims in Rawalpindi three days earlier. Arshed Masih (38) and his wife, Martha (33), had been threatened with "dire consequences" by their employer, Sheikh Mohammad Sultan, unless they agreed to convert to Islam. The couple steadfastly refused.
In the days before the attack, Sultan reported a theft of 500,000 rupees and, although Arshed and Martha were not named as suspects, Sultan offered to drop the case if they renounced Christianity.
When they were brought in for questioning, Arshed was assaulted and Martha was raped by police. Arshed was set on fire on March 19 in front of the police station by a group of Muslims, some of whom were reportedly officers and religious leaders.
He sustained burns to 80% of his body. The couple's three children -- Mary (12), Nasir (10) and Neha (7) -- were forced to witness the horrific violence against their parents. (Sources: BosNewsLife, AsiaNews, International Christian Concern)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09174.shtml
March 31, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - A Pakistani Christian man passed away on March 22 after he was set on fire by Muslims in Rawalpindi three days earlier. Arshed Masih (38) and his wife, Martha (33), had been threatened with "dire consequences" by their employer, Sheikh Mohammad Sultan, unless they agreed to convert to Islam. The couple steadfastly refused.
In the days before the attack, Sultan reported a theft of 500,000 rupees and, although Arshed and Martha were not named as suspects, Sultan offered to drop the case if they renounced Christianity.
When they were brought in for questioning, Arshed was assaulted and Martha was raped by police. Arshed was set on fire on March 19 in front of the police station by a group of Muslims, some of whom were reportedly officers and religious leaders.
He sustained burns to 80% of his body. The couple's three children -- Mary (12), Nasir (10) and Neha (7) -- were forced to witness the horrific violence against their parents. (Sources: BosNewsLife, AsiaNews, International Christian Concern)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09174.shtml
Monday, January 25, 2010
Human rights group releases persecution shame list
Human rights group International Christian Concern has released its annual top ten list of the world's worst persecutors of Christians.
International Christian Concern on Thursday released its annual Hall of Shame report that calls attention to the trend of Christian persecution around the globe.
India is ranked with countries such as Eritrea, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and China where religious freedom has been suppressed and atrocities persisting on an alarming scale.
According to the report, India remains on the top ten worst persecutors list “due to constant violent attacks against Christians.”
"Sources indicate that in 2009, there was an average of three attacks per week against Christians. Although attacks are not comparable in intensity with other top ten countries, the scope of persecution in India is widespread and affects millions of believers," the report stated.
It cited the 2008 Orissa violence where dozens of Christians were murdered and over 50,000 were displaced following the murder of a Hindu leader.
"Many Christians in Orissa are still unable to return to their homes due to threats issued by Hindu radicals forcing their conversion to Hinduism as a condition for their return. These Christians continue to suffer in refugee camps that lack housing, sanitation and food," ICC said.
In addition to violence, Christians also face discrimination from state and local officials.
"The states of Gujarat, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh enforce anti-conversion laws which restrict the freedom of Hindus to convert to other religions."
ICC President Jeff King laments that the persecution of Christians has become a common occurrence and is rarely reported by the mainstream media.
"Due to their faith, Christians endure harassment, discrimination, deportation, imprisonment, rape, torture, murder and other forms of persecution," he said.
Interestingly, the report says Communist and former Communist states are becoming less antagonistic towards Christianity (North Korea being the exception). However, persecution continues to increase in Islamic countries.
Last year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom placed India on its Watch List for the country’s inadequate response in protecting religious minorities.
The federal commission’s watch list consists of countries with governments that tolerate "serious violations of religious freedom.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/human.rights.group.releases.persecution.shame.list/25141.htm
International Christian Concern on Thursday released its annual Hall of Shame report that calls attention to the trend of Christian persecution around the globe.
India is ranked with countries such as Eritrea, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and China where religious freedom has been suppressed and atrocities persisting on an alarming scale.
According to the report, India remains on the top ten worst persecutors list “due to constant violent attacks against Christians.”
"Sources indicate that in 2009, there was an average of three attacks per week against Christians. Although attacks are not comparable in intensity with other top ten countries, the scope of persecution in India is widespread and affects millions of believers," the report stated.
It cited the 2008 Orissa violence where dozens of Christians were murdered and over 50,000 were displaced following the murder of a Hindu leader.
"Many Christians in Orissa are still unable to return to their homes due to threats issued by Hindu radicals forcing their conversion to Hinduism as a condition for their return. These Christians continue to suffer in refugee camps that lack housing, sanitation and food," ICC said.
In addition to violence, Christians also face discrimination from state and local officials.
"The states of Gujarat, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh enforce anti-conversion laws which restrict the freedom of Hindus to convert to other religions."
ICC President Jeff King laments that the persecution of Christians has become a common occurrence and is rarely reported by the mainstream media.
"Due to their faith, Christians endure harassment, discrimination, deportation, imprisonment, rape, torture, murder and other forms of persecution," he said.
Interestingly, the report says Communist and former Communist states are becoming less antagonistic towards Christianity (North Korea being the exception). However, persecution continues to increase in Islamic countries.
Last year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom placed India on its Watch List for the country’s inadequate response in protecting religious minorities.
The federal commission’s watch list consists of countries with governments that tolerate "serious violations of religious freedom.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/human.rights.group.releases.persecution.shame.list/25141.htm
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Update: Imprisoned believers tortured following Islamic attack in Pakistan
by Staff
November 11, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Two Christians who were arrested by officials following an Islamic attack on believers in Gojra, Pakistan have faced brutal torture and abuse from authorities.
Naveed Masih (32) and his brother, Nauman Masih (25), were arrested in early September for "rioting with deadly weapons and spreading terror with firing." Naveed has been accused of firing shots into the air and at the feet of Muslims in an attempt to disperse them during the August 1 violence.
However, both brothers deny using weapons and believe they have been targeted because they provided shelter to over 300 women, children and seniors on the day of the attack.
The brothers were kept in detention illegally for 18 days at the Police Training Centre in Choong. During that time, police officers attempted to coerce the brothers into saying they fired the shots and had ties to terrorist organizations by denying them food and drink, beating them, hanging them upside down and preventing them from sleeping. Nauman has since been released on bail.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08726.shtml
November 11, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Two Christians who were arrested by officials following an Islamic attack on believers in Gojra, Pakistan have faced brutal torture and abuse from authorities.
Naveed Masih (32) and his brother, Nauman Masih (25), were arrested in early September for "rioting with deadly weapons and spreading terror with firing." Naveed has been accused of firing shots into the air and at the feet of Muslims in an attempt to disperse them during the August 1 violence.
However, both brothers deny using weapons and believe they have been targeted because they provided shelter to over 300 women, children and seniors on the day of the attack.
The brothers were kept in detention illegally for 18 days at the Police Training Centre in Choong. During that time, police officers attempted to coerce the brothers into saying they fired the shots and had ties to terrorist organizations by denying them food and drink, beating them, hanging them upside down and preventing them from sleeping. Nauman has since been released on bail.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08726.shtml
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