Islamic Pakistan Violates Human Rights - Again and Again...

What Good is the "War on Terror", if those who are fighting terror, are themselves creating it ???

PAKISTAN: MILITANCY AND 'TALIBANISATION' 

By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Special to ASSIST News Service 

PAKISTAN MOVING INTO "ZONE OF ISLAM" WITH NEW ISLAMIC LAW ABOUT TO TAKE EFFECT - Western Media Silent...

AUSTRALIA (ANS) -  July 21, 2005 - The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) is an alliance of six hard-line Islamic parties. It is pro-sharia, pro-jihad, pro-Taliban, and pathologically anti-West.

The MMA demands the total Islamisation of Pakistan under Sharia Law, and the restructuring of Pakistan's economy according to Islam. The MMA rules with an absolute majority in both the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the south west province of Baluchistan. It also uses the balance of power it holds in Pakistan's federal parliament to weaken President Musharraf's resolve for many necessary reforms. MMA quietly advances its programme of national Islamisation through pressured quid pro quo deals with the government. 

MMA's political power protects Pakistan's madrassas (Quranic schools) from government action, though they are known to promote religious intolerance and encourage sectarian violence. Would-be Islamic militants worldwide come to these 'jihadi factories' for military and ideological training. British young men who perpetrated the 7 July London bombings had training in Pakistani madrassas in the months prior to their murderous mission.

On 14 July, the NWFP's provincial Assembly passed the North-West Frontier Province Hasba Act 2005, by 68 votes to 43. Using this Act, the MMA aims to complete the 'Talibanisation' of the NWFP, intending that other provinces will follow. The Hasba Act (which needs the Governor's signature to be enacted) will set up a new department to 'discourage vice and encourage virtue'. A cleric will be appointed as the 'Mohtasib' - one who holds others accountable. His main task will be to 'protect/watch the Islamic values and etiquettes at the provincial level'. An Islamic religious police force, the 'Hisba police', will aid him in this task. 

If enacted, the Hasba Bill will have drastic consequences for the NWFP's Christian minority. It will bolster pro-Taliban forces, and entrench discrimination, persecution and hatred of Christians. The constitutionality of the Hasba Act will be tested in the Supreme Court, Islamabad, on Monday 25 July. If the Hasba Bill is not enacted, Islamic rage will intensify. It is a no-win situation for Christians. 

Meanwhile, tensions are high in NWFP. The Pakistani, Afghan and US Armies are fighting al-Qaeda and pro-Taliban forces embedded throughout the province. North Waziristan (NWFP, bordering Afghanistan) has practically become a war zone. Many jihadis are foreigners, in particular Chechens, Uzbeks and other Central Asians. The military complain the jihadis use women (many who are willing) as human shields. 

Islamic zeal is intense across the province. On 28 June, in Nowshera, 40km east of Peshawar the NWFP capital, an illiterate Christian cleaner named Yousaf Masih (60) burnt paper rubbish that unknown to him had verses of the Quran written on it. When young boys saw this, they cried out that a Christian had desecrated verses of the Quran. Islamic rage ignited quickly. Angry Muslims went to Yousaf's house, and as he was not home, they beat his sons and brother and manhandled his wife and daughters. Police arrested Yousaf later that evening. According to the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, announcements were made in the local mosques to burn Christians. At around 10pm a riotous Muslim mob burnt down the Hindu Lamba Vera temple (some thinking Yousaf was Hindu) before they burnt, looted and ransacked some 200 Christian and Hindu homes across the district, forcing families to flee. 

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR -

God to embolden President Musharraf to move against those who threaten local and world security by promoting jihad and propagating religious hatred from mosques and madrassas. (Proverbs 21:1) 


God to use the 25 July Supreme Court debate on the constitutionality of the Hasba Act for his glory: may the debate be profitable, upholding religious liberty, and may Islamic law and custom be examined openly and honestly in the light of individual human rights and security. 


Christians living in the NWFP to be comforted by a deep assurance of the presence of Christ, and kept safe in God's mighty hand. 


God to bless the Church in Pakistan, especially in NWFP, with courage, wisdom, faithfulness and hope, that they may be light in the darkness. 'On him we have set our hope, that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.' (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)

ISLAMIC TALIBAN ALIVE AND WELL in PAKISTAN

ISLAMIST-RULED PROVINCE PASSES TALIBAN-STYLE LAW IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN

By Jeremy Reynalds
Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service 

PAKISTAN (ANS) -July 14, 2005  - An Islamic government in a Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan has just passed legislation enforcing strict adherence to Islamic teachings.

The regional legislature in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), dominated by the ruling alliance of six religious parties, passed the controversial Hasba Act by 68-34.

Islamist MP’s shouted “Allah-o-Akbar” (God [of islam] is greatest), when the result of the vote was announced amid opposition uproar.

Dubbed by the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) as “an attempt to bring Taliban-style law to the region,” the law has been compared to the Taliban regime's notorious Dept. of Vice and Virtue in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.The Taliban was backed by Pakistan, and many of its members trained in the northwest's religious schools. 

Under the new law, an Islamic watchdog will monitor the observance of Islamic values in public places. 

APMA reported that the bill’s passage followed a heated debate between the ruling conservative six-party religious alliance Mutahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and the opposition. 

Under the new law, according to APMA, the main duty of the cleric, called “mohtasib” - one who holds others accountable - will be to ensure people respect the call to prayers, pray on time and not do any business during Friday prayers. 

He will also stop unrelated men and women from appearing in public places together, APMA reported, and discourage singing and dancing. 

Another one of the cleric’s functions, APMA reported, will be to monitor the media to ensure “publications are useful for the promotion of Islamic values.” 

A news release from APMA called the bill a “hanging sword” for religious minorities, and predicted that it will be used by Islamic extremists to both persecute and torture Christians and other minorities. 

“This new law will strengthen Islamic extremists and pro- Taliban forces who are already ... attacking churches, killing innocent citizens, bombing, misusing (the) blasphemy law, violent activities and hate crimes,” APMA commented. “These elements will be allowed to interpret Holy Koran and Sunnah according to their own thinking through this bill.”

APMA said the organization also has a concern that the bill will “eradicate religious freedom and basic human rights in NWFP.”

APMA commented that radical Islamic elements have routinely “linked Pakistani Christians with the west, therefore they think by killing and attacking (them) they are taking revenge.”

Speaking in a news release, APMA Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti said his organization has launched a campaign to deal with the issue. 

“We have written letters to authorities and shared our concern. Even press conferences and demonstrations were held to highlight this issue. I also sent (an) application to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for his intervention, but nothing happened yet. (Please) pray for Christians and other minorities in this critical situation.” 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the World Evangelical Alliance (www.worldevangelical.org/persecute/persec_pakistan_ii_28oct03.html), “APMA is a coalition representing Pakistan's non-Muslim religious minorities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Balmeek, Bheel, Maingwal, Zoarastrian, Bahai and Kelash communities). Using advocacy and lobbying, APMA raise(s) minorities' issues and concerns with the government authorities, parliamentarians, human rights organizations and media.” 

APMA, the World Evangelical Alliance statement continued, is assisting many victims of “discriminatory laws and blasphemy laws and also supporting and protecting victims of terrorist attacks of Islamic militants especially since 11 Sept. 2001 ... APMA is struggling to protect and ensure religious freedom in Pakistan.” 

PAKISTAN (ANS) - July 2, 2005 - A Pakistani Christian was arrested in late June and charged under Pakistan’s Islamic blasphemy law.

According to a news release from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), police arrested Yousaf Masih 40 kilometers east of Peshawar, NWFP, Province of Pakistan, on June 28.

According APMA, Masih, 60, has been a long- time janitor in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for many years. He also worked as a house cleaner for Major Fareeda, a nurse at CMH.

On June 28, Fareeda asked Masih to clean the newly rented house of one of her colleagues, Nurse Major Gazala. APMA reported that Masih was accompanied by a major to Gazala’s new house. When he finished cleaning, he collected a number of items – apparently trash – that included old newspapers and books that had been left by the previous tenants. Masih was reportedly asked by the major to burn the items, and Masih complied, not really knowing what the items were.

After burning the items, Masih left the house, but soon after, some young boys playing nearby spotted two pieces of paper later identified as pages from a book taught to Muslim students before they start learning the Koran.

According to APMA, the young boys started shouting that a Koran had been burned (and consequently desecrated) by a Christian janitor. Muslim worshipers passing by after prayer in a local mosque gathered, and the news spread fast.

Announcements of the alleged desecration were quickly made in the mosque, APMA reported, and the need to punish Christians for what was considered to be a blasphemous act. An aggressive group of Muslims came out on the street and marched towards the area where Masih lived. On the way there, APMA reported, they burned and looted the houses of Christians, and burned Hindu Temples as well.

On reaching Masih’s house, an angry crowd of people broke in and started looking for him. They devastated the house, throwing around furniture and household items. According to APMA, female family members were at home, and with Masih not being there they were harassed by the crowd.

The crowd had signs saying Christians should be burned ,and Masih should be publicly hung. Police soon arrived and dispersed the crowd, assuring them that Masih would be arrested.

Police later arrested Masih and took him to an area police station, charging him with blasphemy – desecrating the Koran. Meanwhile, APMA reported, a crowd of angry Muslims had gathered outside the police station demanding that Masih be handed over to them.

APMA commented it is important to note that Masih is illiterate and unable to read or write even his native language. In addition, he has heart problems and is slightly deaf.

APMA reported that along with his wife, Masih has been working in the military hospital for a long time and has a good work record. When a Muslim major asked Masih if it was he who had burned what was originally thought to be trash, Masih acknowledged that he had – without knowing that he had destroyed any part of the Koran.

Police made a case, APMA commented, without investigating the incident. Area Christians are routinely harassed, APMA reported, and end up having to leave the area in order to save their lives.

According to APMA, an organizational delegation quickly got involved and met with Masih’s family, and local Christians and Hindus. They saw the burned houses, furniture and other materials. “They strengthened and encouraged the local Christians and assisted them in the emergency situation,” APMA reported.

APMA has contacted governmental authorities and asked for immediate intervention. According to APMA, the local Christian and Hindu communities have filed a report against the attackers, few of whom have reportedly been arrested by police.

However, APMA reported, an area official and some police have visited the area and assured Christians and Hindus that they will be provided security.

An APMA delegation also went to Nowshera police Station to meet Masih, but they were reportedly denied permission to see him. In addition, Masih’s family was not allowed to meet with him either.

On June 30, APMA reported, an area police official held a news conference saying that even though preliminary findings indicated Masih was not involved in the desecration of the Koran, he would nonetheless still be the subject of investigation.

Masih’s medical condition has reportedly deteriorated. A court has ordered that he be transferred to a hospital for treatment.

APMA commented, “The situation in the area is critical, threatening and alarming for the Christians and especially for (Masih’s) family. APMA is ... helping the local community to avert any unpleasant situation and to defuse tensions. This incident is a clear example of (the) growing misuse of (the) blasphemy law in Pakistan against Christians and other minorities. APMA has strongly condemned the attack of (the) Muslim mob on Hindu Temples and Christian houses, and (has) demanded (the) immediate release of Yousaf Masih.”

An APMA official added, “(The) blasphemy law is a naked sword hanging over the heads of Christians. (The) blasphemy law is a ... weapon in the hands of Islamic extremists to persecute, terrorize, torture and kill Christians and other citizens of the country. Christians are (an) easy and soft target. Many Christians under this draconian law have been killed extra judicially, and many are waiting for trial in jails in life and death situations.”

Shahbaz Bhatti, APMA Chairman, asked that prayers be said for Masih and his family.

THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.

Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic government persecution of Christians.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

--Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--

True Christianity is the way of Genuine love and caring for others.

Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.

Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.



Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.

That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.

Core Universal Rights

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief