Monthly Archives: October 2011
More victims of the blasphemy laws
Rashid Emmanuel
On 19th July when they reach in the session court three gunmen opened fire from point blank reign. Sajid died on the spot whereas Rashid was taken to the hospital where he were fighting for his life, but due to the threat of the extremists doctors did not treat and him after three hours Rashid also expired.
Even after their death Muslim radicals tried to burn their house as well as their bodies, however due to the intervention of the international organizations the local government protected the Christian colony.
Rashid’s family flee from their native place and hid somewhere. Lateron world vision in progress foundation with the help of International Organization Rescue Christian Organzation – which is a sister ministry of Walid Sheobat Foundation – relocated them and provided them safe-Home.
Like Rashid there are many other victims of Blasphemy laws which are still in the jails or assassinated by the Muslims extremists to win the heavens for themselves.
Christians are being persecuted worldwide
The blasphemy laws in action
Fanish Robert Masih:
19-year Christian Boy Fanish Robert Masih, resident of village Jhethe Key, Distt Sialkot- Punjab Pakistan. He was arrested on 09th September, 2009 , accusers claimed that he had committed blasphemy. A day earlier a Muslim mob had gathered in front of the church in the village of Jaithikey, to teach the local Christian community a “lesson”. Extremists damaged the building before setting it on fire. They also pillaged two homes near the church.
The true cause of this event was a love affair between Fanish Robert Masih and Young Muslim girl. Fanish was accused of provoking the young woman and of throwing away a copy of the Qur‘an she had in her hands. In Pakistan “Muslims cannot stand the idea that a Muslim woman might fall in love with a Christian.”
Muslim mob tortured Raisat Masih (father of Fanish) as well other Christians of the Jaithikey, Fanish and his father was arrested ,they were kept in the police lock-up even the Muslims tried to kill Fanish in the Police station. On 12th September,2009 Fanish was found hang in the police lock-up.
Jail superintendent Farooq Lodhi said the 19-year-old hanged himself using the string that held up his pants. However it was visible in the photographs of Fanish Robert taken at the time of Morgue, shows the clear signs of torture and not the strangulation as the police are claiming was self –inflicted. This was the clear case of extra judicial murder.
Fanish Family left their home village and now they are safely relocated in some safe place in Pakistan by World vision in progress foundation with the help of International organization Walid Sheobat Foundation. Like Fanish there are several others case in which Muslims killed innocent Christians by using this law of Blasphemy as tool against them. As a ground Organization in Pakistan we believe, this law is a great threat to the Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. The armed religious extremists are playing havoc in the society. A situation of religious intolerance has speared suffocation in our lives; the doors of dialogues are being closed. Religious fundamentalism has grown beyond proportions. Muslims clerics are demanding complete imposition of Islamic Sharia in Pakistan, making it applicable also to all the Religious minorities of Pakistan.
The Christians and other religious Minorities being roped in false cases under the blasphemy law, in the year 2009 and 2010 many cases were registered against Christians in North and South of Punjab and being murdered by zealots to win heavens for themselves. The Judgments and verdicts of the apexes Courts have proved that this law on Blasphemy is being ruthlessly abused for settling personal issues and of course for religious persecution. The law is proving to be a sword hanging on the heads of the Religious Minorities and moderate Muslims. As a Ground organization we strongly condemn these discriminatory laws , We request international Community to put pressure on Pakistan for the abolishment of this law which is being used as a tool against Minorities.
Urgent help needed for Christian Pakistanians
In an effort to raise funds for Farrukh Harrison Saif who through his World Vision in Progress Foundation is supporting 9 Christian Families currently suffering severe oppression under the Blasphemy Laws currently in place under Sharia Law in Pakistan. Farrukh’s own life was place in critical danger as he rescued his staff that were arrested for covering the current incident of the rape of a nine year old Christian girl who was raped due to her father’s refusal to convert from Christianity to Islam!
Help is needed now as the danger is increasing! Farrukh’s safe house is at risk of loss and if funds are not raised now, his life and the lives of 9 families in desperate need of support could lose their entire lives!
Please answer the call for help now! Bleesings to you all for you donations! Thank You.
Donate here:
World Vision in Progress Foundation
Account Number: 56202012968701
Branch Address: Bank Alfalah LTD
IBG-SADDAR BRANCH
28, plot 292 & 266, sheet AM- 3 Forte Mention
Artillery Maiden, SADDAR, KARACHI, PAKISTAN
Constitutional position of the Religious Minorities in Pakistan
The Original Constitution of Pakistan did not discriminate between Muslims and Religious minorities in Pakistan, but the Amendments made by the Military ruler Zia -ul-Haq as awaken the Islamization and promote extremism in the society , the controversial Hudood Ordinance and Shariat Courts as given so much strengthen to all the radical Muslims .
Later now when Muhammad Nawaz Sharif took the charge of elected Prime Minister of Pakistan he enforced Shariat Bill in May 1991, and again promoted the Anti-Christian Elements in the society. The Amendment made by Zia ,and empowerment provided by the Sharifs Government created new war between the Religious Minorities in Pakistan , this whole system de-stabilized the peace and harmony amongst different Beliefs /Faiths many Christians , Ahmadis , Hindus, even moderate Muslims were effected by these radical Amendments .
Brutal killings of innocent people and the targeting and demolishing their places of worship are not new trend for the minorities in Pakistan .Religious leaders of Christian Churches strongly condemned attacks and demanded for the high level investigation or judicial inquiry and exemplary punishment to all the culprits responsible for this deliberate outrage yet very little has been done in this regard.
The Christian leaders favorable votes in Round Table Conferences in London from 1930-1933 and Boundary Commission made possible the creation of Pakistan. But the hate among different religious communities was created by the government of Pakistan. The Muslim policy makers forgot the positive role of Christians in formation of Pakistan. The touch ability experienced by Muslim of sub continent by Hindus was now diverted towards Christians from Muslims of Pakistan.
The attitude of hate in society was created in such a way that the Christians were unable to dine in public places owned by Muslims. The religion Christianity was taken as second class in Pakistan and Christians faced immense problems in education and employments. As the economic conditions of Muslims of Pakistan improved, they stated working on constitution to legislate such laws against Christians to make them second class citizens.
In such circumstances when the Christian nation in Pakistan who were the son of the soil, not immigrant like Muslims majority who in different periods of history invaded India from middle east and Central Asia and settled. Again, after independence of Pakistan migrated from different parts of India in Pakistan. But after independence these Muslim immigrants declared themselves the owner of this land crushing sons of soil. The Muslims majority very slowly started to make Christians the second class citizens in Pakistan.
Therefore as Christians of Pakistan we have to decide to struggle for the equal basic democratic rights for the Christians of Pakistan.
The Blasphemy Laws
The Blasphemy Law is the hanging sword over the Non-Muslims and Moderate Muslims, it took off the right of the freedom from different Religious minorities in Pakistan, and however it restricts the right of freedom of speech with concern to the religion. As per the Amendment speaking against the Islam and publishing any attack on Islam or Prophet Muhammad (the Prophet of Islam) or its prophets are prohibited. Pakistan Penal Code mandate the Death Penalty for anyone whosoever used derogatory remarks against the Prophet of Islam or Koran, or its Prophets , the penal code mandates life time imprisonment to those who desecrating Koran (Quran) and 25 to 10 years imprisonment for insulting another’s religious beliefs with intent to outrage religious feelings .
This law has created un-rest amongst the different community of Pakistan , however it has been observed that from 1992 since the first case of Blasphemy was registered against the innocent Christians no-any case were ever proved guilty . The majority Muslims are using this law as tool against the Religious minorities in Pakistan. . Brutal killings of innocent people and the targeting and demolishing their places of worship are not new trend for the minorities in Pakistan .Religious leaders of Christian Churches strongly condemned attacks and demanded for the high level investigation or judicial inquiry and exemplary punishment to all the culprits responsible for this deliberate outrage yet very little has been done in this regard. Minority and human rights activists have repeatedly called for the repeal /review of this new law. It has been observed that this law is used to settle private matters amongst the individuals, so far since 1986; more then 4300 cases were registered against the Religious Minorities as well against the moderate Muslims. Hundreds of the Christians and other Christian were killed under this Law. Thousands of cases were registered against the minority groups including Christians that are due to biased approaches and the hateful attitudes of the majorities.
As per the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan:
XV
OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION
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 wilfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur’an or of an extract therefrom 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.
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