Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 201 | Wed 13 Mar 2013
PAKISTAN: THE BITTER FRUITS OF A RADICALISED SOCIETY
By Elizabeth Kendal
Sawan Masih (26) is a sanitation worker and Christian resident of Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh, Lahore. For some years now he has wrapped up his day by sharing a drink with his friend and neighbour Shahid Imran, a Muslim. They would sit together outside Shahid's barber shop drinking locally brewed hooch. Though their debates sometimes got heated, they would just sleep it off and start afresh the next day. On the evening of 7 March, the men had one of their drink-fuelled arguments. This time, however, a good night's sleep failed to clear the slate. The next day, Shahid claimed Sawan had blasphemed during their spat. Like a spark casually flicked in an incendiary tinderbox, the rumour exploded and spread like wildfire. As soon as Sawan heard what Shahid had done, he fled for his life. Later that evening, inflamed Muslims marched from a nearby mosque to the Masihs' home. To pacify the mob, the police took Sawan's father Chaman Masih into custody. While local Muslims ransacked the Masihs' home, members of the Sunni Tehreek-i-Taliban presented the police with two alleged witnesses who claimed to have heard Sawan's blasphemy. A blasphemy charge was registered, again primarily for the purpose of pacifying the mob. But registering a blasphemy complaint is hardly enough to douse a fire-storm of Islamic fury these days. With rumours circulating that worse was to come, the police advised the Christian community to flee, which they did.
The next day, Saturday 9 March, thousands of Muslims, mostly from the ethnic Pakhtun community, descended on the Christian colony with weapons and fuel to inflict collective punishment. Sources told Morning Star News that the provincial government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had ordered police not to hinder the protesters and 'let them vent their grief and anger'. With the colony vacated and the police immobilised, the Muslims went freely from door to door, plundering and ransacking. By 11:30am Joseph Colony was ablaze. By the time the fire brigade turned up at 3pm, at least 160 homes, 18 shops and two churches -- Assemblies of God and Roman Catholic -- had been looted and burnt. According to the City Superintendent of Police, up to 7000 people took part in the attack. Police are saying they have Sawan in 'protective custody'. Knowing what lies ahead, Sawan's mother, Zahida, is distraught. 'I want my son back,' she wails, 'please bring my son back.'
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan laments, 'The attack is yet another shameful incident against a vulnerable community and further confirmation of the slide toward extremism in society on the one hand and, on the other hand, the apathy and inaction that has become the norm among the police.' On Sunday 10 March Christians rallied in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Multan, expressing their fear, grief and anger over their deepening insecurity. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif told a private meeting in his home that the attack was in no way a service to Pakistan or Islam. What he really needs to do is get that message accepted in the thousands of hyper-radical mosques and madrassas spread across Punjab. Pakistan has a population of 185 million with Christians accounting for about 2.45 percent (Operation World 2010). Decades of Saudi-sponsored Islamisation, Sunni radicalisation and impunity are producing bitter fruits: local Muslims prepared to kill and destroy their Christian neighbours. Shi'ite Muslims (30 percent, mostly ethnic Hazara) and Hindus (1.5 percent) are also experiencing escalating systematic persecution. Pakistan is becoming increasingly intolerant and lawless as it lurches towards collapse and disintegration. When local civilians are prepared to eliminate their neighbours on ethnic, caste and/or religious grounds, then the environment is clearly genocidal. (TIME photo gallery)
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT THE LORD WILL --
* intervene and secure justice for Sawan Masih, as well as security for his extended family and compensation for the Christian community of Joseph Colony.
* draw the wounded and traumatised into his embrace, comforting and healing their broken hearts and providing all their needs. 'The Lord is my shepherd . . . He restores my soul. . . You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies . . .' (Psalm 23:1a,3a,5a ESV). THANK YOU Father that nobody was killed.
* awaken those who have been turned into killers, bringing a profound conviction of sin upon all who would be willing killers of their own neighbours.
* bring a profound sense of shame on Pakistan, so pervasive it demands and enables deep, risky reform at the mosque and madrassa level; may this and a sense of failure and great danger prompt many to seek out a new and better way.
SEE ALSO: Deepening divide leaves Pakistan staring into the abyss
Pakistan's Supreme Court admits a blasphemy petition against Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's Ambassador to the USA.
By Elizabeth Kendal, Religious Liberty Monitoring, 7 March 2013.
SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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THE BITTER FRUITS OF PAKISTAN'S RADICALISED SOCIETY
On 7 March Sawan (26), a Christian, and his Muslim friend and neighbour, Shahid, argued as they sat drinking after work, in Joseph Colony, Lahore. The next day Shahid claimed Sawan had blasphemed during their spat. The rumour spread like wildfire. Sawan fled for his life. The police took Sawan's father into custody and registered a blasphemy complaint against Sawan hoping that would appease the agitated crowd. However, sensing otherwise, the police advised the Christians to flee their homes. The next day some 7000 local Muslims descended on the Christian colony, pillaging and burning. At least 160 homes, 18 shops and two churches were looted and burnt while the police watched on. Intolerance, violence and insecurity: the bitter fruits of a radicalised society. Please pray for Pakistan and its Christian minority.
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UPDATE
LIBYA - EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN DIES IN CUSTODY
(Updating RLPBs 198 -199)
Ezzat Hakim Atalla Abdel-Malak, one of five Egyptian Christians arrested in Benghazi last month on charges of proselytising, has died in custody. According to the authorities, Ezzat died of natural causes on Sunday 10 March. Middle East Concern reports that while Ezzat did receive some clearly insufficient treatment for severe chest pains, the extensive bruising all over his body indicates that he had been physically abused. Please pray for Ezzat's widow and two teenage children, and for the remaining prisoners -- especially the four Egyptians whose situation is particularly precarious. May God intervene on their behalf.
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Elizabeth Kendal is the author of
Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today
(Deror Books, Dec 2012)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
RLPB 200. Sudan: Islamic belligerence and soaring persecution
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 200 | Wed 06 Mar 2013
SUDAN: ISLAMIC BELLIGERENCE AND SOARING PERSECUTION
By Elizabeth Kendal
Islamists -- a powerful force in Sudan -- hold President Gen. Omar el-Bashir responsible for the loss of southern Sudan. Of course he is responsible, for he systematically marginalised, cheated, persecuted and fought the predominantly Christian non-Arabs of southern Sudan while trying to impose Islam on them until all they wanted was separation. Eventually on 9 July 2011 South Sudan became an independent nation. Khartoum's hardline Islamists believe secession should never have been an option, not merely because southern Sudan is resource-rich, but because Islamists do not believe Allah's land should ever be forfeit -- especially not at the behest of the US! In the latter part of 2012, Arab Spring-inspired protests erupted in Khartoum only to be hijacked by Islamists who attacked Western embassies. Rumours abounded that a coup was imminent. Whilst some of the discontent in Khartoum is due to economic hardship and repression, the Islamist discontent pertains to the growing belief that el-Bashir has failed the State by not being Islamic enough! A key opposition figure, Hassan al-Turabi, has asserted that el-Bashir's regime should not even be regarded as Islamic! Factions inside the regime are leveraging this discontent to increase their power, leaving el-Bashir under pressure to prove his Islamist credentials. This is the context for the campaign of systematic persecution that began in late 2012 (see RLPBs 198 and 199, and for more details RLM 6 March 2013).
On 14 February doctors in Khartoum cross-amputated a man's right hand and left foot under orders from the government as a punishment for robbery. Canada responded by condemning the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan, noting also the targeting of civil society organisations, particularly those which are owned and run by Christians. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called on Khartoum 'to respect the rights of Sudan's people, to cease its intimidation of civil society and political opponents, and to end indiscriminate bombardments of civilians'.
Ulf Laessing reports (Reuters 27 Feb) Sudanese Christians are growing anxious that the day is coming when they will not be able to practise their faith at all. Laessing visited one of several demolished churches: the Africa Inland church which stood in a slum suburb of Khartoum. He reports on the mid-February raid by security agents on the library of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, founded by missionaries in central Khartoum more than a hundred years ago. 'They took hundreds of books,' a church source told him, 'and the entire archive, not just religious literature.' Laessing notes that numerous church-affiliated institutions have been closed and foreign Christians deported. (In addition, on Monday 4 March, the regime closed the Aslan English Teaching Centre, accusing it of engaging in 'suspicious activities'.) According to Laessing, 'Despair and anxiety is palpable in many of Khartoum's churches, most of which date back to the British colonial era which ended in 1955.' He attended Sunday worship in a small room beside the demolished church. He listened as Pastor Said tried to encourage what remains of his flock -- 11 adults and four children. 'The government destroyed our church,' he said, 'but we don't have to be afraid. God will always protect us. Hallelujah!'
On 28 January 2013 the 54 member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) showed how little they care about Sudanese citizens. First they elected Sudan as one of four Vice-Presidents, then they nominated the racist, genocidal, rogue state to chair UNECOSOC's proceedings on humanitarian affairs. The US and Canada lobbied strongly against the nomination on the grounds that Khartoum is currently blockading humanitarian aid from its own people, creating famine and a humanitarian crisis in Blue Nile and South Kordofan where conflict has left some 700,000 people displaced and from where more than 200,000 have fled. France and Australia did not oppose Sudan's nomination! Thankfully, however, they did not object to further consultations and eventually Sudan agreed to cede the humanitarian segment to Pakistan. It is good and right that Pastor Said is exhorting his flock to 'rest'/trust in Almighty God -- he is faithful while 'all other ground is sinking sand'.
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT:
* the Lord of Hosts will protect his people as a shepherd guides and protects his flock, while providing all their needs. 'The Lord is my shepherd . . .' and he provides, restores, leads, guides, comforts, accompanies, sustains, vindicates and blesses. (Psalm 23)
* the Holy Spirit will encourage believers, fanning their faith into flame, drawing them near into prayer and dispelling their fears and enabling 'rest'. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.' (Isaiah 42:3 ESV)
* our Sovereign, Almighty and glorious God -- who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think . . . (Ephesians 3:20 ESV) -- will intervene in Sudan to establish righteousness and 'bring forth justice' for the sake of the Church and all the peoples of Sudan who are in need of the gospel.
SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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PERSECUTION SOARING IN SUDAN
Islamist discontent is rising, forcing Sudan's President Omar el-Bashir to prove his Islamist credentials. As churches are demolished, property is seized, Coptic priests are detained and foreign Christians are deported, despair is setting in and Sudanese Christians are wondering if the day is coming when they will no longer be able to practise their faith at all. Meanwhile the 54 member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) showed how little they care about Sudanese citizens when they elected Sudan as a Vice-President and nominated it to chair proceedings on humanitarian affairs. The US and Canada protested, forcing Sudan to cede the humanitarian post reluctantly to Pakistan. Only God can be trusted! Please pray for the Church in Sudan.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Kendal is the author of
Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today
(Deror Books, Dec 2012)
SUDAN: ISLAMIC BELLIGERENCE AND SOARING PERSECUTION
By Elizabeth Kendal
Islamists -- a powerful force in Sudan -- hold President Gen. Omar el-Bashir responsible for the loss of southern Sudan. Of course he is responsible, for he systematically marginalised, cheated, persecuted and fought the predominantly Christian non-Arabs of southern Sudan while trying to impose Islam on them until all they wanted was separation. Eventually on 9 July 2011 South Sudan became an independent nation. Khartoum's hardline Islamists believe secession should never have been an option, not merely because southern Sudan is resource-rich, but because Islamists do not believe Allah's land should ever be forfeit -- especially not at the behest of the US! In the latter part of 2012, Arab Spring-inspired protests erupted in Khartoum only to be hijacked by Islamists who attacked Western embassies. Rumours abounded that a coup was imminent. Whilst some of the discontent in Khartoum is due to economic hardship and repression, the Islamist discontent pertains to the growing belief that el-Bashir has failed the State by not being Islamic enough! A key opposition figure, Hassan al-Turabi, has asserted that el-Bashir's regime should not even be regarded as Islamic! Factions inside the regime are leveraging this discontent to increase their power, leaving el-Bashir under pressure to prove his Islamist credentials. This is the context for the campaign of systematic persecution that began in late 2012 (see RLPBs 198 and 199, and for more details RLM 6 March 2013).
On 14 February doctors in Khartoum cross-amputated a man's right hand and left foot under orders from the government as a punishment for robbery. Canada responded by condemning the deteriorating human rights situation in Sudan, noting also the targeting of civil society organisations, particularly those which are owned and run by Christians. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called on Khartoum 'to respect the rights of Sudan's people, to cease its intimidation of civil society and political opponents, and to end indiscriminate bombardments of civilians'.
Ulf Laessing reports (Reuters 27 Feb) Sudanese Christians are growing anxious that the day is coming when they will not be able to practise their faith at all. Laessing visited one of several demolished churches: the Africa Inland church which stood in a slum suburb of Khartoum. He reports on the mid-February raid by security agents on the library of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, founded by missionaries in central Khartoum more than a hundred years ago. 'They took hundreds of books,' a church source told him, 'and the entire archive, not just religious literature.' Laessing notes that numerous church-affiliated institutions have been closed and foreign Christians deported. (In addition, on Monday 4 March, the regime closed the Aslan English Teaching Centre, accusing it of engaging in 'suspicious activities'.) According to Laessing, 'Despair and anxiety is palpable in many of Khartoum's churches, most of which date back to the British colonial era which ended in 1955.' He attended Sunday worship in a small room beside the demolished church. He listened as Pastor Said tried to encourage what remains of his flock -- 11 adults and four children. 'The government destroyed our church,' he said, 'but we don't have to be afraid. God will always protect us. Hallelujah!'
On 28 January 2013 the 54 member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) showed how little they care about Sudanese citizens. First they elected Sudan as one of four Vice-Presidents, then they nominated the racist, genocidal, rogue state to chair UNECOSOC's proceedings on humanitarian affairs. The US and Canada lobbied strongly against the nomination on the grounds that Khartoum is currently blockading humanitarian aid from its own people, creating famine and a humanitarian crisis in Blue Nile and South Kordofan where conflict has left some 700,000 people displaced and from where more than 200,000 have fled. France and Australia did not oppose Sudan's nomination! Thankfully, however, they did not object to further consultations and eventually Sudan agreed to cede the humanitarian segment to Pakistan. It is good and right that Pastor Said is exhorting his flock to 'rest'/trust in Almighty God -- he is faithful while 'all other ground is sinking sand'.
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT:
* the Lord of Hosts will protect his people as a shepherd guides and protects his flock, while providing all their needs. 'The Lord is my shepherd . . .' and he provides, restores, leads, guides, comforts, accompanies, sustains, vindicates and blesses. (Psalm 23)
* the Holy Spirit will encourage believers, fanning their faith into flame, drawing them near into prayer and dispelling their fears and enabling 'rest'. 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.' (Isaiah 42:3 ESV)
* our Sovereign, Almighty and glorious God -- who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think . . . (Ephesians 3:20 ESV) -- will intervene in Sudan to establish righteousness and 'bring forth justice' for the sake of the Church and all the peoples of Sudan who are in need of the gospel.
SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
------------------------------------------------------------------
PERSECUTION SOARING IN SUDAN
Islamist discontent is rising, forcing Sudan's President Omar el-Bashir to prove his Islamist credentials. As churches are demolished, property is seized, Coptic priests are detained and foreign Christians are deported, despair is setting in and Sudanese Christians are wondering if the day is coming when they will no longer be able to practise their faith at all. Meanwhile the 54 member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) showed how little they care about Sudanese citizens when they elected Sudan as a Vice-President and nominated it to chair proceedings on humanitarian affairs. The US and Canada protested, forcing Sudan to cede the humanitarian post reluctantly to Pakistan. Only God can be trusted! Please pray for the Church in Sudan.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Kendal is the author of
Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today
(Deror Books, Dec 2012)
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