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Commonwealth must play role to address the unresolved issue of Kashmir: Prime Minister of Grenada |
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Toronto, April 29, 2008 – The unfortunate circumstances that the people of Kashmir are confronted with must be addressed, states Grenadian Prime Minister.
The Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, in a letter thanked Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of the Kashmiri-Canadian Council (KCC), for his letter concerning the unresolved issue of Kashmir and intensification of systematic human rights violations against civilians in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for being informed about the Kashmir issue: “I appreciate your pointed explanation of the unfortunate circumstances that the people of Kashmir are confronted with, and the subsequent role that the Commonwealth can play in seeking to address the unresolved issue.”
The Prime Minister underlines: “As the Commonwealth continues to promote human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” he concludes with an assurance, “I can assure you that plight of the Kashmiris will be an item of serious discussion [on the Commonwealth’s agenda].” |
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Saudi women had more rights at the time of the Romans than today |
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This is shown by a book written by a female scholar and published in Great Britain. At that time, they are able to run businesses; while today, at a discussion of work for women in Riyadh, all of the women were in another room. |
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Riyadh: May 2, 2008. (AsiaNews) - Arab women had more rights at the time of the Romans than they have today. At that time, in fact, their capacity to conduct their own economic affairs was recognised, which is not true in Saudi Arabia today. This is maintained by a female Saudi scholar, Hatoon al-Fassi, in a book entitled "Women In Pre-Islamic Arabia", published by British Archaeological Reports.
Barred from teaching at King Saud University in 2001, the scholar has examined the situation of Nabataea, a kingdom that at the beginning of the Christian era included parts of modern-day Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, and had its capital in Petra. Here, Fassi maintains, women were able to conduct business, without even the form of "protection" required by Greek tradition in these matters. In her opinion, it is precisely because of the lack of understanding on the part of Islamic scholars of the influences of Greco-Roman legislation on sharia that the limited rights and freedoms for women have arisen.
"We now live the worst status imaginable": this statement from Fawziya al-Oyouni, a women's rights activist, is reported in the review of the book on Middle East Online, which highlights how, when religious authorities, ministers, and businessmen met last month in Riyadh to discuss work for women, there were no women visible, because they were confined to another room, and the men were able only to hear them. |
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Women Touching Lives in Sikkim |
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SIKKIM, INDIA (ANS) -- Raju and Prasela, a couple in Sikkim, India, stood by feeling helpless to do anything for their little boy. Sujin was seriously ill, and it pained them to watch him suffer.
Then the couple met a team of Christian women serving with Gospel for Asia. These women listened with compassion to Raju and Prasela’s plight and told them about Jesus. They prayed earnestly for Sujin, and he started to feel a little better.
The women helped Raju and Prasela get Sujin to the hospital. Soon, he was completely healed! Amazed that their son had recovered so quickly, the couple gave Jesus the glory and rejoiced with the women who had prayed for them and helped them. Raju and Prasela also chose to put their trust in Christ.
The efforts of the women who reached out to Raju and Prasela represent a vibrant arm of GFA’s ministry—the Women’s Fellowship. Through this ministry, women from local churches—many of them first-generation Christians—are discipled and trained to reach their communities with the love of Jesus.
During one outreach event, the Sikkim Women’s Fellowship team gave out thousands of tracts. God blessed these efforts, and many people began attending local churches to learn more about Jesus.
Even a GFA Women’s Fellowship meeting, designed to minister to the women themselves, turned into an opportunity to bless the surrounding community, as the Lord’s presence radiated from these women. While many of them made renewed commitments to serve Christ, the meeting also drew the curious attention of many non-Christians. Four families were touched and came to know Christ as a result.
A similar opportunity for ministry took place as two Women’s Fellowship members traveled to a church in Sikkim. On the way to this church they were able to share the Gospel with the driver they had hired. The man listened intently and decided to receive Christ as his Savior.
At least one Bible study has sprung up in Sikkim through the Women’s Fellowship ministry, with at least eight people coming out for prayer.
Give God the glory and praise for the harvest He is bringing through these faithful women, who themselves have been delivered from spiritual darkness. Please pray that the GFA women’s fellowship ministry will continue to grow and significantly touch lives in South Asia. May 2, 2008. |
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UK Muslims Launch Body to Promote Secular Democracy |
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London (CNSNews.com) - It's time for the "silent majority" of British Muslims to be heard over the noise made by religious extremists, speakers launching a new community organization in Britain said on Thursday.
A small group of radicals had hijacked the image of British Muslims, activists said at the launch of British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD).
Nasreen Rehman, a playwright and writer who is one of the group's founders, said that she was tired of non-Muslims wondering why she wasn't veiled, or why she was a working woman who hadn't gone through an arranged marriage and who was, in fact, divorced.
Growing up in Pakistan in the 1950s, she said, she had experienced a degree of freedom that might be unthinkable today, with a father who treated her as an equal.
Rehman said Pakistan had been radicalized, in part, because of the campaign by the U.S.-supported mujahedeen fighters against the Soviet occupation of neighboring Afghanistan in the 1980s.
In Britain, she argued, people have a distorted picture of British Muslims partly because militants and their activities make "good copy" for the media. Muslims account for roughly 1.6 million of the 58 million total population.
Rehman said a turning point had come for her in 2005, when a British teenager sued her local school authority for the right to wear a jilbab, a dress that exposes only the face and hands and which the teen claimed her religion compelled her to wear.
Rehman said the outfit had no basis in Islamic tradition."All Muslims knew there was no such thing as Islamic dress," she said. "I had sleepless night thinking about my daughters," and the effect such radicalization may have of their future.
The BMSD plans in the months ahead to promote the view that most British Muslims embrace democracy, while addressing the influence of religious radicalism.
Inayat Bunglawala, a political commentator who is also assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said Thursday that only a "tiny fringe of activists" in the Muslim community wanted to see secular democracy.
The BMSD launch came just days after another organization was formed with similar goals.
Launched at a London press conference, the Quilliam Foundation said its aim was to combat the influence of extreme Islamist ideology.
Leaders of the new think tank are mostly former members of the British chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization that promotes the creation of a caliphate, uniting Muslims around the world under Islamic law. They say their experience in the group equips them to argue effectively against extremist ideology.
Hizb ut-Tahrir declined to comment this week on the new organization's launch.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is currently publicizing a mobilization campaign in Britain called "Stand For Islam," aimed at challenging what spokesman Taji Mustafa called "the vicious media and political onslaught against Islam and Muslims."
Mustafa said in a statement it was time to question the capitalist system and liberal western values associated with it.
"Our campaign will show the sublime values of Islam and the ability of the Islamic system to solve modern problems," he said. "The Muslim world is crying out for Islam." 5/5/2008 |
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J Salik leads “Suicide Prevention Rally” of homeless families in Pakistani capital |
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ISLAMABAD: May 7: To highlight the plight of the shelterless people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the sufferings of the masses and to prevent them from committing suicide the World Minorities Alliance (WMA) led a rally from Press Club Islamabad to the Parliament House which was attended by thousands of helpless and shelterless people of the two cities here on Wednesday.
The rally was led by Convener WMA and former Federal Minister J.Salik who addressing on this occasion observed that he has been carrying out his struggle for the cause of the suppressed and underprivileged masses but now he wants to motivate these people to prevent them from taking extreme steps like committing suicide and selling their children and even their body organs like kidneys.
He called upon the participants of the rally to term the event as “suicide prevention rally” and further lamented that it is irony of the fate that bureaucrats and politicians are living princely life and the poor despite having paid all their taxes and having a great role in the national development are being compelled to commit suicide.
He further lamented that due to negligence of the government a group of profiteers, hoarders and black-marketers has made an extraordinary and unrealistic hike in the prices of the essential commodities making it hard for the common man to keep the body and soul together. He noted that Pakistan was massively funded by the international community and the donor agencies in the name of the development and uplift of the masses but no amount was spent for the cause of the poor. He alleged that all this money was wasted in the schemes that could benefit the elite of the country and to facilitate building of their palaces abroad. He said it is more than unfortunate an event that in this age of every day scientific inventions and development thousands of poor are compelled to live in inhuman rather shameful conditions with no facility of clean drinking water even. He expressed his disappointment that there is no representation of minorities in the parliament which has been a source of serious frustration and resentment amongst the minorities. He warned the rulers that their empathy on the sufferings of the minorities could compel the poor to take to rebellious course of action against the exploiters.
Later J.Salik was received by the officials of the Prime Minister Secretariat near the Parliament House whom he handed over the applications for the provision of at least a residential plot of 80 yards each to an estimated ten thousand applicants.
The participants of the rally including women, children, and even handicapped and ailing people were carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demand of a respectable living. They also chanted slogans for early implementation of the scheme announced by the Prime Minister to allot a plot to each and every shelterless dweller of the masses. |
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PAKISTANI CERTIFIED AS PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL DISTANCE LEARNING. PCP Report. |
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A Pakistani born Australian national Dr. Sarfaraz Lloyd has been conferred upon a designation of Professor of International Distance Learning. This tile was vested upon by the Regent of Interfaith Education Ministries of United States in recognition of outstanding Academic Achievements, Knowledge and Professional proficiency in International Distance Education of Professor Dr. Sarfaraz Lloyd. Presently, he is serving as the President of the West Coast University, Incorporated and based in Panama City â€" Central America, Global University for higher studies through Distance Education and also as President of West Coast Institute of Management & Technology â€" Australia, Accredited by the International Council for Open & Distance Education. This Council (International Council for Open & Distance Education) is officially recognized by UNESCO & UNO. |
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THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION DISOWNS SADIQ DANIEL AS THE BISHOP OF KARACHI. By: Julius Danish. |
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The Anglican Communion has removed the name of Sadiq Daniel from its official Web Site http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=447&view with immediate effect.
So far he was considered to be the recognized Bishop of Karachi while Bishop Ejaz Inayat was considered as unrecognized.
Although it does not in any way effect the Court cases pending adjudication regarding the elections of the Bishop of Karachi yet it is seen as a very positive and radical attitude in the policy of the ANGLICAN CHURCH.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury was considered to be acting more on the dictation of Bishops Alexander John Malik and Samuel Azraiah who had their own vested interests in the Karachi Diocese.
The shift towards reality has been taken as the first step within the REFORMATION MOVEMENT OF THE CHURCH OF PAKISTAN, as some call it, yet it is well felt that the struggle to safeguard the constitution, assets and the properties will require a long time, as yet there is no sign of turning around in the attitude of the arrogant Bishops who are responsible for the state of affairs within the Church of Pakistan.
It is more than a challenge for the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND to protect SAINT ANDREWS CHURCH, KARACHI which has been placed at the hand of the Attorneys of the Church of Scotland in Pakistan which are nominated by Bishop Samuel Pervaiz of Sialkot.
The people of Karachi fore see violent clashes over Saint Andrews Church as masses are expected to take action whenever needed. Yet it remains a question; who is responsible? The properties have been sold by the front men of Bishop Samuel Pervaiz and Bishop Malik well in the knowledge of the Church of Scotland Head Quarters and the Anglican Church. These have been widely protested, as most of the money went in the personal pockets of these Bishops.
For the while it is expected from the Church of Scotland Head Quarters to take a firm and clear stand over the issue of Saint Andrews Church in Karachi. It can only be done by clearly asking Bishops Samuel Pervaiz and Sadiq Daniel to stop straight away. The physical possession is with Sadiq Daniel and there is a Status quo on the sale of Saint Andrews Church in the favor of Bishop Ejaz Inayat, yet it is wondered would it be possible for him to sustain without the legal help of the Church of Scotland in the long run. At the same time with the money and the influence of the property mafia on the wrong side who will come forward where money is needed (which of the so many partners?). |
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Christians are 12% of population of Pakistan But, There is NOT any Christian in, |
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Dialogue on Minority Welfare and Education. By Yoginder Sikand |
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In the first week of July this year the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development organised a two-day 'dialogue on minority welfare and education' in New Delhi. Inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, it was attended by a large number of educationalists and social activists from various parts of the country.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke at length about what he called 'the problems facing the minority communities', stressing the need for greater attention to promoting their welfare, particularly in the field of education. He claimed that his government, as laid down in its Common Minimum Programme (CMP), was committed to the empowerment of the minorities, through, in his words, 'more systematic attention to education and employment'. This, he promised, would be 'a priority concern' for the government. A matter of particular distress, he said, was the low representation of the minorities, particularly Muslims, in many walks of life, in both the public and the private sector. This, he said, posed a grave hurdle in building up 'a truly inclusive and tolerant society, where the benefits of economic development are shared by all citizens'.
Dr. Singh suggested some proposals to address the problem of minority, particularly Muslim, educational backwardness. He stressed the need for more community-based educational projects, which could work along with state institutions to promote education as well as to provide other services to the minorities, particularly to segments of the population that are otherwise harder to reach, such as women and girl children. He announced that his government proposed to set up a Commission for Minority Educational Institutions to provide direct affiliation of minority professional institutions with central universities to upgrade their standards. He promised to establish a national commission for the welfare of socially and economically deprived sections among the country's religious and linguistic minorities, including through reservations in education and employment. He also announced allocation of additional funds to the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation. In addition, he claimed that his government was committed to the promotion of Urdu. In all, he insisted, his government had various ambitious plans for minority welfare, and that it would work to ensure that the minorities 'truly feel that they are equal partners' in India's progress.
The Prime Minister's long list of promises was greeted with much applause by the carefully selected and invited audience. Not surprisingly,critics pointed out in hushed whispers that the Prime Minister's speech and the presence of top Congress leaders, including the Union HRD minister, Arjun Singh, was probably a clever gimmick to draw Muslims into the Congress fold. No one seemed to have the temerity to question what successive Congress governments had actually done for minority welfare. Likewise, no one chose to openly raise the pertinent, and rather obvious, question, of what guarantee there was that the new government would live up to its grand promises, and, in the event that it failed, how it could be held accountable. And so, two days passed in much lively discussion, peppered with repeated praises of the Congress Party and its leaders, and interrupted by lavish meals.
Yet, although it might well be that the event was simply a grand tamasha, in which our politicians excel, it did provide an opportunity to community leaders from minority groups to offer their suggestions for the educational progress of their people and to vent their criticism of governmental inaction in this regard. Speaker after speaker commented that the religious minorities, particularly the Muslims, are among the most economically and educationally deprived sections of Indian society. Yet,they stressed, state had not paid sufficient attention to their concerns. In fact, in some respects, they argued, the state machinery had deliberately ignored or even exacerbated the educational backwardness of these marginalised communities. Thus, for instance, several participants pointed out that although minority communities have the constitutional right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, this right has not been actually fully or properly observed by the state. Speakers referred to numerous complaints about how many of these institutions have not been able to function free from government interference. The courts, which should actually have played a key role in upholding the right of the minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, have, in many cases, acted as a major hurdle with their adverse judgments that have resulted in a serious abridgment of this right. In addition, in many cases bureaucrats and politicians are said to have deliberately created problems for minority groups seeking to establish or administer their own educational institutions, such as by denying them no-objection certificates etc.
Participants made several suggestions to the HRD Minister in order to promote minority education and to help overcome the problems that they claimed face many minority educational institutions. Suggestions made by some of the speakers included the following:
1. Deemed universities and colleges set up by minorities should be free to affiliate other colleges in the country to them. They should also be free to frame their own admission procedure and their right to appoint staff of their own choice should not be interfered with by the state or the courts.
2. Minority professional educational institutions should be exempted from the Common Entrance Test.
3. Minority educational institutions should be able to gain affiliation not only with central universities (as the CMP of the present government suggests) but also with other leading institutions of higher learning.
4. There should be reservations for minorities in all state-run institutions of higher learning.
5. Minority community representatives should be included in all government-appointed educational bodies and commissions.
6. Education should be linked to employment as well as empowerment in order to improve the social and economic conditions of the minorities as well as to ensure for them equal participation in the governance of the country. It must be realised that the educational and economic advancement of the minorities is itself a necessary precondition for the overall prosperity and unity of the country as a whole.
7. The Minorities' Education Board that the government proposes to set up should also look into the various problems that minority educational institutions face from the bureaucracy and politicians, such as in getting recognition, etc.
8. Certain rules, such as requiring that an engineering college must possess at least 5 acres of land in an urban area in order to be recognised by the state, must be relaxed for poor minority communities. Such rules act as a major disincentive for the educational advancement of marginalised communities.
9. The HRD Ministry should appoint an officer charged with the responsibility of promoting education among minorities. Minority community representatives, including educationalists and social activists, could advise him/her in formulating and monitoring schemes.
Other suggested state educational programmes and initiatives:
1. Programmes for the development of SCs and STs should be extended to the minorities as well.
2. More good quality government schools, providing free education, should be set up in areas of high minority concentration.
3. Various government schemes and projects for education (including non-formal education) should focus on the minority communities as well. The budget allocation for all such schemes and projects for such communities should be commensurate with the numerical ratio of the minorities in the total population.
4. An all-India body should be set up which would monitor the educational progress of the minorities.
5. The state needs to take special steps to promote modern, technical education among minorities, such as, for instance, by setting up ITIs in minority-dominated areas.
6. Particular attention should be given by the state to the educational advancement of marginalised sections among the minorities. One way to do so is through reservations for these sections in educational institutions and in government services, commensurate with their population.
7. The state must make good its promise to protect and promote the Urdu language, and must also ensure that Urdu is taught in schools having sizable numbers of children from Urdu-speaking families.
8. Particular measures should be taken to promote education for Muslim girls. These measures could take the form of more single-sex schools, separate transportation arrangements as well as girls' hostels in areas of high Muslim concentration.
9. Data on minority education and government spending on minority education must be collected by the state and made available to the public, in order to ensure that the state lives up to its promise of equal treatment of all its citizens in all its development and welfare programmes.
10. Distance education using modern communications technology needs particular attention. The possibility of linking up IGNOU and other open universities with Muslim educational institutions needs to be explored.
11. Mid-day meals schemes funded by the state should be implemented in minority educational institutions as well.
12. The problem of high drop-out rates among Muslims, which is linked to poverty, needs to be addressed.
13. The pathetic state of Urdu schools needs to be looked into and remedied. These schools suffer from general neglect: they have very limited infrastructure, their teachers lack motivation; in many states the appropriate textbooks simply do not exist; and a large number of vacancies for teachers in such schools have deliberately been left unfilled. English must be made a compulsory subject in these schools. In such schools English can be used as the medium of instruction for mathematics and the natural sciences, while Urdu can be the medium for other subjects. This would help their students improve their English, without which they will not be able to gain admission in good universities or compete in the job market.
14. The misuse and/or non-utilisation of funds granted to institutions such as the Maulana Azad Educational Foundation, the National Commission for Communal Harmony and minority banks must be looked into and addressed.
15. The de-saffronisation of the textbooks used in the schools must be carried further, and must not remain restricted only to NCERT history texts. The process must extend to textbooks for other subjects such as languages, social sciences and value education, including those published by other educational bodies. The state must take immediate action against Shishu Mandirs and other RSS schools, which are systematically spreading hatred against non-Hindus. If the state finds anything objectionable in what is taught in the madrasas, this, too, needs to be rectified at once. Textbooks must be purged of all negative references to minority religions and their adherents as well as to oppressed castes. They must reflect the multi-religious and multi-caste character of the country, and must seek to promote a sympathetic and balanced understanding of all religions.
16. The government need not be bound by previous court decisions on reservations in minority educational institutions. Since these institutions are working for the educational advancement of the most educationally backward sections of Indian society, the 50% reservation rule is unfair. It greatly hampers their efforts to promote education among the minorities, which, in turn, goes against the professed intentions of the present government, as stated in its CMP.
17.The distinction between aided and non-aided minority institutions should be done away with in deciding whether or not an institution can qualify to be considered as a minority educational institution. Both should be treated equally by the state for this purpose.
18. The legal discrimination against Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims must be put an end to, as this constitutes an open violation of the principle of secularism and non-discrimination on the basis of religion. Instead, they must be treated on par with Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits for purposes of reservations and other benefits meant for the Dalits.
19. The requirement that minority educational institutions renew their minority status every year must be scrapped.
20. Trusts and societies of minorities should be given minority status by the state.
21. Institutions of higher education run by minorities should receive special grants from the state to start centres of excellence, training programmes, etc., in order to promote professional and technical education among educationally backward communities.
22. The continued harassment of institutions belonging to Christians and Muslims in Gujarat and some other states must be stopped at once.
23. The state must assist, rather than clamp down on (as it did, for instance, in the case of Eklavya in Madhya Pradesh), community projects and initiatives for progressive education.
24. Science education needs to be promoted among Muslims. In order the popularise this among the Muslim masses, the state can set up libraries stocking appropriate literature in Muslim localities.
25. Nationalised banks should set up branches in Muslim localities in order to help promote the economic development of the poorer sections of the Muslim community.
26.The HRD Ministry should arrange for a conference of managers of non-minority educational institutions in order to examine the causes for the negligible representation of minorities in these institutions.
Some Muslim participants spoke on the madrasa system of education, and made the following proposals:
1. The wrong propaganda against madrasas, branding them as dens of terror, needs to be combatted.
2. The important role of the madrasas in the Indian freedom struggle, in the demand for a united India, in promoting pluralism and multiculturalism, in spreading education among poorer classes of Muslims and in preserving Muslim cultural and religious identity needs to be recognised.
3. Madrasas must not be seen or regarded as opposed to the state. Rather, the state must dialogue with the 'ulama associated with the madrasas to modernise their curricula, so that the latter can play a more engaged role in community development. In turn, this will help strengthen the unity and prosperity of the country as a whole. Care must be taken to see that the autonomy of the madrasas is not curtailed. The state should desist from imposing 'reforms' in the madrasas. Rather, reforms must come from within the community, and, indeed, this is happening today as increasing numbers of madrasas are seeking to incorporate modern subjects in their curricula.
4. The question of the employment prospects and possibilities of madrasa graduates needs to be looked into by both the state as well as Muslim community organisations, including the madrasa managers.
5.Madrasa managers must also pay attention to the training of their teachers.
In addition to various suggested measures for the state to undertake, some speakers also underlined the need for minority communities themselves to take steps to help promote education. Some of the suggestions made in this regard were:
1. In the Muslim case, planned efforts are needed in order to properly utilise zakat and sadqat funds and funds generated by the waqf boards in order to promote modern education in the community.
2. Muslim community leaders, including politicians, must make modern education one of their principal concerns. The tendency to limit discussion of Muslim education simply to Urdu and madrasas must be avoided, both by community leaders as well as the state.
3. The ways in which community educational initiatives can by integrated with various state initiatives need to be explored. This synergy between the state and community organisatons can play a key role not only in promoting education among the minorities, but also in the success of various welfare programmes, such as those related to women and children.
4.Muslim organisations have established a number of institutions of higher learning, including professional training, but they, along with the state, also need to pay attention to primary and secondary education among Muslims. One result of not paying adequate attention to this is that in many Muslim (and Christian) institutions more than half the students are from other, 'forward' communities.
No one is expecting miracles to occur following the 'dialogue', although Union Home Minister, Arjun Singh, claimed that his government would act on all the various promises on minority welfare contained in the CMP within the next four months. While Congress bosses are probably gleefully gloating for having organised such a grand event, hoping, thereby, of winning crucial Muslim and Christian support, critics insist that there is no room for rejoicing, predicting that little or nothing at all will transpire in the aftermath of this two-day gala event. |
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We Aim At Welfare Of Pakistani Christians. William shahzad. Pakistan Christian Association In U.S.A. |
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An exclusive interview of William Shahzad, a dynamic personality, Sincere, dedicated and committed on issue of social and economic welfare of Pakistani Christians in America. Mr. William Shahzad born and raised in cultural and artistic atmosphere of |
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KATHA KSHETRE SHORT STORY CONTEST - 2004 |
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Bangalore. The Katha Kshetre, An international literary quarterly dedicated to short stories have announced Short Story contest 2004. The Founder editor and Publisher Mr. J. Kaval have announced that short story should be in English, original, unpublished, and within 2500 words on any subject but no pornography or erotica.
It shall be submitted with Name and full address of the author. The email ID should be written on the first and the last page of the entry. The entrance fee shall be US $ 5 on 5 short stories and Contestants should airmail their stories to Kathalok, 90, Guniagrahara, Sivakotte Post, Bangalore-560089, Karnataka along with their cheque in favour of Kathalok Or email the entries to < kathalok@vsnl.net > or < kathalok@yahoo.co.uk > and transfer the entrance fee to Kathalok, A/c. No.20003008 at Catholic Syrian Bank, Yelhanka Town Branch, Bangalore, Karnataka, India Last date- 15-09-2004. On or before 15th September 2004
The Result shall be on or before 31-10-2004 The winner will receive books worth of USD$30.00 and the Certificate. The runners up (10) also will receive ‘Honorable Mention’ and the prizes.
Kathalok will have the one-time right to edit and publish the stories it received in Katha Kshetre. The authors are free to market their stories anywhere. |
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Another Property sold by the Church Property Sellers Association of the Church of Pakistan |
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Karachi. July 30. Another Property of the Karachi Diocese, CoP namely St. John’s Church, Plot no. 36, Block – 38, Tarachand Road, Keamari, Karachi was sold by Rev. Sadiq Daniel group.
It is well-known that during these times of disputes in the Church of Pakistan the Diocese of Karachi has come apart into two factions. One faction recognizes Bishop Ijaz Inayat as a legal and constitutional Bishop of Karachi Diocese and other faction recognize Sadiq Daniel as their Bishop. In the Diocese of Karachi two managing bodies are working and both claim to be legal and constitutional. At present St. John’s Church which is a preaching point of St. George’s Church Keamari Parish is under the control and management of Rev. Sadiq Daniel and Co.
Since last few days this Church is occupied by some unknown non Christians. The Church has been dishonored and desecrated and present occupants have broken down the Alter and the sacred Cross. They have also desecrated our Religious books and thrown them out of the said Church. The occupiers are building/constructing shops and commercial enterprises in place of the Church. |
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DIYA JALAY RAKHNA HAYE, 200 MINUTES STAGE SHOW AT QUETTA. By Parvez Iqbal |
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To high light importance of Freedom, and as Opening function of Celebration of Independence Day, PBC Radio Pakistan Quetta Center had organized 200 Minutes Radio Stage Show (Diya Jalay Rakhna Haye) at Children Academy, Quetta. Show witnessed by a huge crowed including General People, Civil and Army Officers, Notables of the Province and members of the Provincial Assembly.
Malik Aziz-Ur-Rehman, Station Director, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Quetta welcomed the Audience, Special Guests and Artists of the show. During his speech, he apologized on behalf of Syed Anwar Mahmood, the Honorable Federal Secretary of Information, who planned to come down Quetta for this show, but due to very bad weather in Quetta, PIA cancelled Flights and he missed to enjoy this historic show with the Peoples of Balochistan.
In five different Languages (Balochi, Brahvi, Persian, Pashtu and Urdu) Prominent Artists performed, sung National Songs and recreated the participants with different items and received regular appreciation.
Renowned Singer of Pakistan Tasawar Khanum, who was specially invited for this show, remained on the stage for more than 100 minutes and sung famous and unforgettable National Songs and made the occasion historic and memorable. Her versatile performance and specific style made the audience to clap loudly and with applauses which too the show to the high level of appreciation.
Abdul Wakil Malik, The Director Administration, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Islamabad concluded the show and presented Vote of Thanks to the Artists, Singers, Participants and Guests and also paid heartfelt appreciation to the Management Committee, for organizing the wonderful show. |
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Protest Demonstration in front of Quetta Press Club. By Pervaz iqbal |
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Worker for Four Nationalist Political parties of Balochistan which includes Janhoori Watan Party, Balochistan National Party Mengal, Balochistan Haq Tawar and National Party protested and demonstrated in Front of Press Club Quetta on Monday against the Establishment of Military Cantonments, Filing of Cases against Baloch Leaders and alleged Military Operation in the Province. Protestors were carrying Placards containing the message for immediate withdrawal of Cases against the Baloch Leaders and arrest of Political Workers, Stoppage of Military Operations all over in the Province and Establishment of Military Operations. They were chanting Slogans again the Government for using the force against innocent peoples.
Workers of Hazara Political Workers and Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party also included themselves in the protest to express their anger ness against the policies of the Government and expressed their solidarity with Baloch Nationalists.
Mr. Habib Jalib, from Balochistan National Party (Mengl), Abdul Qadir Agha, from Pashstoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Agha Shahid Bugti, from Jamhoori Watan Party, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, for National Party and Mohammed Tahir Hazara of Hazara Political Workers, addressed the protestors and seriously condomned the Government Policies and demanded immediate halt of actions. |
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Blast Shaked Christian Colony at Quetta on independence day of Pakistan. By Parvez Iqbal, PCP Correspondent. |
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On 14th August, 2004 while Pakistani Nation was busy in their 57th Independence day Celebration, Terrorists Targeted Christian Colony, Spinney Road, Quetta at about 10.25 p.m through a big explosion fixed in waste bin behind the house Mr. Ambrose Jan, MPA for Minorities, but luckily there was no casualities or damages of properties.
On hearing the explosion, peoples from the surrounding area gathered in large number. After about 10 minutes District Police arrived and started searching to avoid next blast and advised the peoples to remain away from the expected place of blast. Provincial Defense Secretary with a team of Bomb Disposal rushed to search and after their satisfaction declared the area clean, but advised the people to be careful.
Many high-ranking officials including Federal and Provincial Ministers visited the scence of occurrence and assured their full cooperation.
Mr. Asim Kurd Gailu, Provincial Minister, first of all arrived and talking to the PCP Correspondent, condemned strongly attack on the Christian Colony and assured that culprits will be captured and taken to their end. He added that efforts of Christian Community for building and development of Pakistan are remarkable and advised not to loose their unity and to contribute Government for struggling against Terror.
Mrs. Asia Nasir, Federal Minister, condemned attack on Christian Community in strong words and stated due to such attacks, Minorities are now feel unsafe everywhere in country, first it was not in Balochistan, but now Christians are on direct target. She requested Provincial Government to make sufficient Security arrangements and responsible of this attack may be taken into custody, for making Christian Community satisfied and safe.
Mr. Ambrose Jan, MPA, stated that this is a direct attack on Christians, but he thank God who saved all community and him. He also condemned this attack and requested Government authorities for their positive efforts to maintain safe law and order situation for all citizens of Balochistan. On behalf of Christian, Ambrose Jan said, these threats will not break our unity, our loyalties and Love with our country and we will sacrifice all for our country and its future. Religion less and Nation less, Terrorists will surely remain unsucceed and will definitely goes down with their baseless aims. Pakistan came into being forever and shall remain on Universal Map forever. He added this attack proves, Leaders are also not safe in Balochistan. He demanded immediate removal of Waste Bin lying behind the residents and requested Municipal Corporation for making regular and proper cleaning arrangements.
Arbab Mohammed Hashim Kasi, Senior Leader, Muslim League, also shared his grieves with the Christians through Ambrose Jan. Talking to the PCP, Mr. Kasi condemned this attack in very hard words and stated this is not only the action against the Humanity but also against the nation. Terrorists came on targeting minorities in the Country as the Government is going closer to them day by day. He demanded inquiry and investigation of incident on Christian at high level and offenders may be brought open through press. He further added that Government might not treat this incident as minor.
Mr. Mohammed Hashim Baarech, Nazim, and Mr. Julius Lateef, Councilor of the area, also condemned and said these are only to harass the peoples; terrorists are the enemies of the country and the Nation. In this situation every one has to prove their boldness and efforts to fight against the Terror. Mr. Julius Lateef blamed Municipal Corporation for improper and irregular arrangements for cleaning of the area, resulting such incidents, the terrorist find places to put Bombs in the Waste Bins. He demanded immediate attention for removal of Waste Bin and regular arrangements for the cleaning in the area.
PCP correspondent, talking to the different peoples, came to know, Mr. Samson John was of the view that PGA Church very near to the place of occurrence, might have targeted, but missed, and Lord saved his House. Mr. Frederick Ghauri stated, "Christian community has been targeted directly due to his active participation in 57th Independence day Celebrations" Mr. Anwar Anthony, appreciated, quick actions by the District Police and Bomb Disposal Squad. Mrs. Cynthia Gulfam found worried about her teenaged daughter, who became unconscious due to very loud voice of the blast. Mr. Aslam Sulheri, and Mr. Roufin, had seen active advising people to keeps away from the place of the incident. PCP Correspondent was the first Media Person who reached to the place of incident, as his house is also in same colony. Up to 3.00 a.m peoples were found in the street discussing the situation and every one found thanking Lord Jesus Christ for saving his own house (PGA Church), their properties and lives. Ladies of the area were found in separate discussions and their own observations about the explosion. |
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Praise Lord on bringing me home safe. Rev. Wilson Fazal. By Pervaiz Iqbal. |
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Pastor Wilson with his family had given warm well come by his congregation on their arrival at Quetta. Once again, PCP was the first media who meet with Pastor Wilson and his family. On his and on behalf of PCP Team, Parvez Iqbal PCP Correspondent, congratulated Pastor Wilson Fazal for his safe return to their home and Thanked God for all his Blessings on this family.
Talking to PCP Correspondent, Pastor Wilson Fazal said, I am felling very happy that PCP had played remarkable role in International Media for highlighting of all about his kidnapping and returned, He thanked PCP and asked God for more blessings on PCP.
Pastor further added, “ Despite all problems our alive Lord once again gave me chance to be with my congregation and Praising lord. He said I was looking for this day anxiously and today I had answer of my prayers. After all problems and pains on body, my body is now become more active for better service of our Lord Jesus Christ as I feel Signs of all those on Body. During all tuff time I spent, I have learnt a great lesson and I am sure Christians will have more benefits of all this. I like to bring a big change in our community after all happened with me during last three months. On all occasion of past three months, I have seen the God’s endless Love in my life and I will continue all my efforts in his Love he had advised us in Holy Bible. He said God had used me during these three months especially in Sahiwal, Karachi and Shanti Nagat, where only in 8 days I had 28 meetings, which are unforgettable for me forever.
Replying to Question about message for others, who are serving with the Message of our Lord, Pastor said, “now a days all those who are serving for Lord are in regular problems, but I want to tell them that same as problems are endless, Love of our Lord for us is also endless and continues for ever, but the need is our loyalty with willing of our Lord. Because happiness in both smiles and sorrows not only make our Lord Happy, but also more strengthen our faith on him. Therefore, please continue efforts avoiding all problems.
My Family, my congregation, and me all are very happy today for this wonderful occasion and all this giving me a new strength for my future. Regarding Kidnappers, Pastor Wilson said, “ As Words of Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Bibl advise us to forgive your enemies, and following this advise I have forgiven them to make my self as followers of our Lord, as until, one who not experience sacrificing never see the power of alive Lord.
Pastor Asif John contributed his views and stated, Critical always give more power and courage for better services. I think escaping from dangers is not a mistake, but big mistake is escaping from responsibilities.
Mrs. Nasreen Fazal was of the view that “ I see and admit this incident with all my happiness and my heartiest Thanks to our Lord, who took off tears from my eyes and gave smiles and happiness to my family. She further added that I am thankful to God who selected us and answered our prayers. She said no doubt this incident had effected our life and studies of our children badly and I am confident, with the passage of time, everything will come on the right track with the consent and help of our Lord. |
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Religious hate law: A threat to free speech? Barnabas Fund launches new compagian. PCP Report. |
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UK. September 4, 2004.Barnabas Fund has today launched a major campaign raising concerns onlaws proposed by the British government to ban incitement to religioushatred. The Fund echoes the fears of many senior lawyers, MPs, peers,
human rights groups and civil liberties organizations who believe such laws could pose a major threat to free speech.
Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that the government is planning to introduce a new law banning incitement to religious hatred “as soon as possible” in a speech on 7 July. The intention is to extend existing legislation banning incitement to racial hatred to cover religious groups as well in order to prevent crimes such as extreme right-wing organizations stirring up hatred against Muslims.
However, critics of the law point out that existing legislation banning incitement to violence and other criminal acts already provides protection if enforced properly. They argue that in reality this new law could end up being used to prevent all reasonable debate and criticism of another person’s religion.
Barnabas Fund is calling on its supporters to write to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and their MP in order to raise these concerns now in preparation for when a bill comes before parliament.
AUSTRALIAN PASTORS ALREADY VICTIMISED
Fears that the law could be a major blow to freedom of speech are not based on speculation alone, but from direct evidence from Victoria, Australia, where two Christian pastors have already found themselves in court under a similar law after raising human rights concerns about Islamic teaching on a website and at a seminar. They are accused of stirring up hatred against Muslims despite the fact that both repeatedly emphasised that Christians should show nothing but love to
Muslims.
Far from creating a more tolerant society the case has seriously damaged religious harmony and community relations. One former prominent supporter of the law, Amir Butler, executive director of the Australian Muslim Public Affairs Committee, has now come out strongly against it. “All these anti-vilification laws have achieved is to provide a legalistic weapon by which religious groups can silence their ideological opponents,” he wrote in a recent article.
COULD THE SAME THING HAPPEN IN THE UK?
In the UK as well there are hints that at least some supporters of the law intend to use it not only to prevent incitement to religious hatred, but also to stifle legitimate criticism and debate. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s The Moral Maze on 14 July Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, indicated that in his view any “defamation in the character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)” should be illegal under the new law.
Similarly when Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi faced media criticism when he came to speak to British Muslims in July for his views that suicide bombers can target women and children, men can beat their wives and homosexuals should be executed, Mayor of London Ken Living stone said that “this legislation is necessary”, not to prevent Dr al-Qaradawi from preaching such views, but for silencing those who criticise him for doing so.
Speaking from his office in Pewsey Barnabas Fund’s director Dr Patrick Sookhdeo warned “The potential impact of this law is very grave indeed. With the best of intentions and a noble aim the government may inadvertently open the door to a serious restriction of free speech in the UK.” |
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Ambrose John & Family Celebrated Death anniversaries both with smiles and sorrows at Quetta. By Parvez Iqbal, PCP Correspondent. |
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Member Provincial Assembly (Minorities) Ambrose John and family celebrated 4th Death Anniversary of their father John B. Francis and Second Death Anniversary of their mother Khurshid Akhtar. Rev. Fr. Inayat Gill from Holy Rosary Church, Pastor Abdul from Bait-al-Memorial Church and Pastor Fayyaz from St: Mary's Church Quetta jointly inaugurated the celebration with prayers. Rev: Fr: Inayat Gill briefed about the celebration of Death Anniversaries after his prayer and Pastor Abdul in his prayers asked special blessings for this family, participants and departed souls of their parents, while Pastor Fayyaz delivered heart touching message in the light of words of our Lord from the Holy Bible. Congregation praise their Lord with singing of Holy Songs.
After Prayers, Mr. Ambrose John, on behalf of his family highlighted the achievements of their parents in their lives in detail and showed his hopes that if they follow their footsteps; they will never have discouragement in their lives. He also thanked all relatives who came to share their grieves. During his message, he himself including all family members were carrying tears in their eyes showing their love and sympathy for their parents.
(Late) John B. Francis was a prominent Political and well-known personality of Quetta Balochistan who in his life greatly sacrifices for Christian community on many occasions, and lead Christians in fighting for their rights. He left many guidelines for coming generations. PCP Correspondent tried to have few more details on this aspect, but failed.
Khurshid Akhtar (Late) was a religious loving lady who was seen severally playing active role in religious activities. She was kind and sincere for her family. They left behind 5 sons and 5 daughters. All five sons were present on the occasion, but in daughters four were there and they all missed their second elder sister who did not joined them from Gujranwala.
In the end all participants were served with supper and during all the time every one seen discussing lives and achievements of the diseased. PCP Correspondent tried to record views of other family members, he was talking to eldest son to get more details, but on this occasion, Suleman the second youngest son came in the tent and announced that this celebration was fixed for two hours and time is up now and requested guests to please go now. After his announcement some relatives came annoyed and left back to their homes.
PCP Correspondent, shared their sorrows on behalf of all PCP team and thanked family members for all their cooperation with his prayers, May the departed souls of Respected John B. Francis and his wife Khurshid Akhtar be rest in peace always. (Ammine). |
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Indian Sikh body blasts attack on Nankana Sahib gurdwara. |
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AMRITSAR: A Sikh organisation in India has condemned the attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara and has urged the Indian government to pressure Islamabad to take action against the people who attacked the religious site on Saturday.
“I appeal to the Indian president and the prime minister to intervene and ask Pakistani authorities to catch the attackers,” said the chief of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Jagir Kaur, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The Nankana Sahib gurdwara and an adjoining college were ransacked by a mob, who were protesting a recommendation to shift the Government Guru Nanak Degree College out of its premises to make way for Sikh pilgrims.
“Such incidents not only cause concern among the Sikhs, but could also impact the Indo-Pak peace talks,” said Mr Kaur, whose SGPC manages Sikh shrines in India.
Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak.
In 1999, during Mr Kaur’s previous term, the SGPC had stopped Sikh delegations from going to Pakistan on religious occasions to protest the formation of a government-sponsored body to look after gurdwaras in Pakistan. An SGPC executive member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that in the past, the SGPC had spoken to the Pakistani authorities about the lack of security around Sikh shrines, but no action had been taken.
Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, the Punjab chief minister, has condemned the incident, saying those who had taken law into their hands would be dealt with sternly. |
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Sindh High Court refuses to release Marvin Pervaiz on Bail |
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The High Court of Sindh at Karachi has dismissed the bail application filed by Mr. Marvin Pervaiz (Director Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan) and he has been shifted to the Central Jail, Karachi by the FIA officials.
According to a reliable source the High Court has dismissed the application filed by Mr. Marvin Pervaiz. The Court observed that in the light of evidences provided by the FIA, against Mr. Pervaiz his application for bail is liable to be dismissed.
The counsel for Mr. Pervaiz stressed that the passport of Mr. Pervaiz has been misused and that he has nothing to do with the smuggling of Afghani girls but the evidences produced by the prosecution were sufficient to prove that he has been involve in various distrustful activities including smuggling of young girls and traveling on false documentation.
Whereas Bishop Samuel Robert Azraiah has assigned Mr. Joseph Francis from Lahore and Rev. Sadiq Daniel has assigned Mr. Shahzer Shamoun and Mr. Collin Kamran Dost from Karachi to help Mr. Pervaiz, who are trying their best to get Mr. Pervaiz out of the prison. |
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SAUDI ARABIA COURT SENTENCES FOREIGNER FOR SPREADING CHRISTIANITY |
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A Saudi Arabian court sentenced Brian O’Connor, an expatriate Christian from India, to 10 months in jail and 300 lashes Wednesday, Oct. 20, accusing him of ”spreading Christianity” and other charges. O’Connor was first arrested on March 25, 2004, by the Muttawa, Saudi Arabia’s religious police.
International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that the young Indian native was tortured by police following his arrest. O’Connor’s legs were first chained, and he was hung upside down when the Muttawa came in . . . and kicked him in the chest and rib area” continuously until 2 a.m. ”After enduring months in a Saudi prison, O’Connor was taken to court in late September for a brief, 90-minute hearing,” an ICC spokesperson said.
"Charges brought against him included selling alcohol and possession of pornography in addition to spreading Christianity. Executives at his employer declared that the allegations against their employee are a cover-up for the real reason for his arrest [spreading the gospel]." |
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Real faces and desires of Bishops of Church of Pakistan. By PCP Sindh Bureau Chief Rev.Khalid Mansoor Soomro |
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With a very heavy heart I want to inform all the members of the Church of Pakistan that all the Bishops of Church of Pakistan including self made bishop Sadiq Daniel and Rafiq Masih and divorcee bishop Munawar Rumal Shah by name Bishop of Peshawar because he is away from Pakistan for long times during the past years many times he resigned and rejoin the Peshawar Diocese on his own. All these cheater bishops met on 30th October 2004 at their Chief’s Rt. Rev. Samuel Pervaiz resident. This Bishop is known in Pakistan as Chief Sahib. The main agenda of this meeting was to give permission to each other to sale the Church properties. In this meeting they pressurize Rt. Rev. John Samuel to with draw the case which was against Rt. Rev. Alexander John Malik which was about restraining Rt. Rev. Alexander John Malik to sell the properties of Faisalabad Diocese and he agreed to withdraw because he is also interested to sale Church property in his Diocese which belongs to Lahore Diocesan Trust and in past he want permission to sell this property from Bishop of Lahore who is also a great Church property seller. Rt. Rev. Samuel Pervaiz has sold 90% Church property of Sialkot and in these days he has taken the token money with Rev. Sadiq Daniel of St. Andrew's Church Saddar Karachi. In this meeting they also decide to give attorney powers to each other to enable them to sale Church properties freely which is very destructive for the Christians of Church of Pakistan. All these land mafia Bishops are against the Bishop Ejaz Inayat to whom they elected the right and constitutional Bishop of Karachi Diocese all these bishops has singed on the paper that Ejaz Inayat is legal Bishop and his elections is legally held the copy of that declaration can be taken from High Court of Sindh I don't known why these bishop are saying that Rt. Rev. Ejaz Inayat is not a bishop of Church of Pakistan many pastors and parishes and even the members of parishes which has been grabbed by the so called illegal bishop Rev. Sadiq Daniel recognize Rt. Rev. Ejaz Inayat as Bishop of Karachi Diocese ( ejazinayat_karachi@hotmail.com )
These bishops are circulating the photo copies of their agreement among the Christians of Pakistan their illegal agreement has unveiled their real faces and desires. It is a time for the Christians of the Church of Pakistan to come forward and stop these land mafia Bishops to sell the Church properties which is the inheritance of the coming generations of Pakistani Christians. I strongly appeal the Christians of Pakistan and Church partners abroad to support Rt. Rev. Ejaz Inayat morally and financially because he alone is fighting against the war of properties selling in Pakistan. Please also pray for the present situation of Church of Pakistan and for its restoration. May God bless all the fearful Christians of Pakistan. |
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Meeting of Synod of Church of Pakistan challenged in SHC. By: Julius Danish |
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As expected the meeting of the Bishops held on 30th October proved cosmetic and failed to resolve the core issues of the Church of Pakistan.
This failure has further frustrated the situation resulting in filing of an application (bearing CMA no. 8058/2004 in Suit no. 970/2003) in the High Court of Sindh at Karachi under the provision of Contempt of Court Act against the Bishops entered in the agreement dated 30th October 2004 against the law which tantamount to Contempt of Court as the issues of the Church are pending before the Courts of Law and holding of any meeting before the settlement of the issues by the Honorable Court amounts to warrant interference in the proceedings of the Court of Law. It may be pointed out that a Status Quo is already prevailing in the High Court and the new set up aims to upset the Status Quo passed by the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi.
Since the Contempt of Court further intensifies the Courts hand on the contemnors it is likely that some solid findings shall emerge during the proceedings of this important case.
It will be interesting for the readers to note that the sale of illegal properties and other unconstitutional actions by the so called Synod cannot be undone, the foremost of which is the appointment of illegal Bishops in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The illegal and unconstitutional stay of Bishop Mano R. Shah in the Diocese of Peshawar will not be easy to defend.
During this time Bishop Alexander John Malik registered his Diocese (as an independent Church) with a constitution of his own convenience with the Registrar Joint Stock Companies, Lahore. This constitution is against the Constitution of the Church of Pakistan in letter and spirit and is violative of the Constitution of the Church of Pakistan under the provision of which Bishop Alexander John Malik was elected as Bishop of Lahore. It is clear from record that Bishop Malik did not get the approval of his Diocesan Executive Committee or the Council for this action. Even if he according to his normal practice tempers the records, in order to save his skin, he is no more eligible to be a part and parcel of the Church of Pakistan and can be prosecuted for breach of trust in the Court of law. Same practice was done by him in the case of LDTA when in 1985 he changed the Constitution and Articles of Association to facilitate the sale of properties of this Trust. Please note that the Trust Property cannot be sold in Pakistan according to the existing Law. He and Bishop Samuel Pervaiz will fell victim to this law in due course of time.
In the mean time the Western Partners are protecting this group led by Bishop Malik more vigorously by the office of the Archbishop. This may lead to a big rally in protest when he visits Pakistan next year in November 2005. His office has been asked time and again in vain to stop siding with one faction of the so called Church of Pakistan. His predecessor has given the Church of Pakistan a long time headache which the present Archbishop does not try to heal.
Even in the Governmental circles of Pakistan the illegal actions of Bishop Alexander John Malik have drawn the attention of the high ups and it is likely that high level inquiries will dig the substance out of hidden corruption. |
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An open letter to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf By Catholic Bishops Conference. |
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Your Excellency Mr. President / Prime Minister,
First, I would like to convey my appreciation on behalf of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference for government's position about making Pakistan a liberal and welfare state based on the principles of social justice and peaceful co
existence. I have a strong hope that with this vision Pakistan shall move to the direction which the founders of Pakistan had dreamt of and the initiative is bound to have a positive effect on Pakistan's image outside as well as improving situation at home.
However given the mighty challenges I feel obliged as a citizen of Pakistan and as a community leader to draw your attention to some very crucial issues
concerning human rights:
a) The abolition of separate electorate for general elections was welcomed by the people. Using the same principle of parity among citizens, the religious apartheid of separate electorate should be removed from local bodies system also without any delay.
b) Through a piece of legislation the parliament brought the honour killing in the ambit of the offense of murder apparently to address the menace of Karo - Kari. In the meantime, the offences of affecting human \body including murder remains a compromisable between the parties according to the Pakistan Penal Code (Sections 302 to 324 and section 334 to 337-K, 337-M to 338-C). The compoundablity character added to the penal justice system in 1990 renders the new legislation technically impractical.
It is pity that in recent abovementioned legislation in October 2004 the parliament and the Ministry of law did not consider the recommendations of the Commission on Status of Women (1997) and National Commission on Status of Women (2003) about repeal of; Hadood Ordinances, Qisas and Diyat Ordinance and the changes made in the Law of Evidence in 1984.
I feel sad when I imagine the amount of energy and time that must have been
invested in monitoring the situation, research and preparation of
recommendations by the Commissions under the leadership of senior members of
Judiciary. Therefore their work should not go in vain.
These laws manifestly reduce the status of women as a legal entity and thus are directly responsible for enhanced violence against women in domestic and social life.
The stringency of laws has created enormous difficulties for religious minorities as well. Therefore, I strongly request a kind consideration about
repeal of these laws.
c) I just briefly reiterate our demand for repeal of blasphemy laws. There is an ample proof of their ill effects on society and I can assure you that a large number of citizens shall support removing blasphemy laws from the statute book.
d) The informed circle appreciated very much that the government when created a fund for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour in the country in 2000. However no activity has been reported since regarding the implementation of this idea. Although there are other dimensions to this issue yet we would appreciate that the concerned Ministry should present some concrete plan and action for elimination of bonded labor in our beloved country.
Mr. President, the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Church, in conjunction with the civil society organizations has struggled in
past 19 years for repeal of laws that grossly violate the rights of deprived
sections, especially women and religious minorities. We hope that your
government shall make the year 2005 the year of change and repeal of these
discriminatory laws.
Assuring you of our active cooperation and payers in this important step in
nation building task,
Yours sincerely,
(Signed)
Bishop Lawrence John Saldanha
President of Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference
Archbishop of Lahore, Chairperson National Commission for Justice and Peace
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ |
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The Causes of the crises in the Church of Pakistan. By: Julius Danish |
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The Church of Pakistan is presently within the focus of the Churchmen all over the world. Unfortunately there are no Church historians who would help the Christians Community all over the world for a neutral analysis of the events that led to the scenario where millions of the members of the Church of Pakistan are suffering because of the disputes amongst the leadership within the Church of Pakistan.
Coming into existence in 1970 on All Saints Day through the union of the Anglicans, the Lutherans, the Methodists and the Church of Scotland the Church of Pakistan was further divided from four into eight Dioceses mainly due to the disputes of property rights between the Dioceses of Lahore and Multan.
The Cause of the Crises:
Although united the Church of Pakistan remained bitterly divided over two main issues.
1. Properties:
Although the uniting Churches agreed to form a Trust of the Church in its constitution in 1970, they did not transfer the properties to the Church of Pakistan Trust or the respective Dioceses.
Disputes at an early stage bitterly dividing the Church mainly because the Bishops of Multan and Lahore who could not provide mature and spiritual leadership to their flocks. Gojra (Faisalabad Diocese) became the main battlefield as most of the property held by Lahore Diocesan Trust Association in this area headed by the Bishop of Lahore was under the Episcopal authority of Multan.
These disputes were resolved by creating new Diocese within the Church of Pakistan, Gojra (Faisalabad Diocese) being one of them.
After the death of late Bishop Inayat Masih of Lahore Diocese the new Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik rapidly took two bold and secret steps.
(A). He re-registered the Lahore Diocesan Trust Association in the year 1985 with strange and dynamic changes in the Articles of Association of the Trust originally registered under Companies Act of 1913 in the year 1942.
The original Diocese of Lahore had a legal standi under the Indian Church Act of 1927 and was overviewed by the Metropolitan of Calcutta, the Secretary of State in Council and the Governor General of India in Council. The Executive Committee of Lahore Diocese formed the governing board of LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) and had properties all over Pakistan, from Karachi to Peshawar under its administrative control. Two big property-holding bodies namely THE CHURCH MISSIONARY TRUST ASSOCIATION and ZANANA MISSIONARY TRUST ASSOCIATION transferred their property assets to LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) in 1956/1957. The Government of India and Indian Church Trustees also transferred the properties vested in them in 1947/1948.
The cleverest Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik sold a number of valuable properties during 1980 to 1997 keeping the major portion of the sale consideration in his own pocket by under-invoicing the figures, which is easy in Pakistan. These properties were sold all over Pakistan and there is no resolution on record regarding prior permission of respective Diocese or the LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) or the Diocesan Council.
(B). The Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik further strengthened his grip on LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) by making the amendments in the constitution of the Lahore Diocese in 1982 and then again in 1996. It is interesting to note that nobody in the Diocese of Lahore had a copy of its constitution to make comparisons.
In the year 1996 a new constitution contrary to the pervious and that of the constitution of the SYNOD, Church of Pakistan (the Supreme Supervisory and Legislative body of the Church of Pakistan) was registered under Societies Act without the approval of the Executive Committee of the Lahore Diocesan Council and that of the Lahore Diocesan Council. This particular constitution denies the supremacy of SYNOD of the Church of Pakistan. The only reason being that be should not be accountable to any forum whereas the main portion in the Diocesan Council and the Executive Committee of the Lahore Diocesan Council consisted of Diocesan employees who were under consistence threat of removal from services with a single stroke of pen and had to be Yes-Persons.
(C). While these practices were going on in the Lahore Diocese the Bishop of Sialkot Diocese Pervaiz Samuel was busy playing his own games with the properties of the Church of Scotland. Even here the main portion of the money coming through the sale of properties was illegally and criminally shared under the table amongst the Attorneys of the Church of Scotland and the Bishop of Sialkot.
A Christian lawyer of Supreme Court of Pakistan conducted an investigation quite recently and the Attorneys were removed for some time in 2003/2004. Later they got restored in spite of the evidence against them for reasons best known to the Church of Scotland.
(D). In a similar fashion the Bishop of Raiwind Samuel Robert Azraiah gave power of Attorney to one of his very close associates to dispose-off the properties at his disposal.
2. Personal values of the Bishops/Pastors of the Church of Pakistan:
A close study of the personal lives of the Bishops elected after 1980 would reveal lack of maturity and commitment, abuse of power and resources, poor ethical and moral values, illegal sale of properties and dirty politics.
Unfortunately the whole system of the Church of Pakistan has vested in the hands of a few who monopolized the affairs because they were aided by the Pastors and Laymen who either were ignorant of the facts, were cowards or were so weak that they could not speak the truth or take stand thus becoming the basic fabric of the corrupt Church.
Following few examples will show the point.
(A). In 1994 Pastor Mano R. Shah was elected as the Bishop of Peshawar Diocese, although he was not properly adopted in the Church of Pakistan by the process of unified with the Church of Pakistan. At the time of election of the Bishop of Peshawar the bishops of Raiwind and Sialkot facilitated him by (1) getting a forged letter of unification from the former Bishop of Peshawar (2) Nomination papers of a particular candidate were rejected through conspiracy to facilitate the success of Pastor Mano R. Shah. (3) The issue of his second marriage was overlooked in spite of constitutional restrains.
Later when he went to work with United Society for the Propagation of Gospel, London (USPG) as fulltime Secretary, Samuel Robert Azraiah of Raiwind Diocese dumped his resignation against the rules and constitution of the Church of Pakistan.
(B). Bishop of Raiwind Diocese Samuel Robert Azraiah after been defeated in the election of the Moderator in the Synod of 1995 joined hands with the Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik to keep themselves away from the Synod until Samuel Robert Azraiah was re-elected as Moderation in 1997 by the Executive Committee of the Synod of the Church of Pakistan. Samuel Robert Azraiah wanted to become the Bishop of Karachi thus he delayed the elections of the SYNOD supposed to be held in the year 1997. He further funded the Court cases against the Bishop-elect of Karachi Diocese Ijaz Inayat Masih and supported the cases against him at all levels. He thus laid the basic of the crises within the Church of Pakistan.
It would be interesting to note that he has applied for American nationality, (which demands a nine months stay in States in one year), while he is taxing his poor Diocese whose constitution says that the Bishop of the Diocese can not stay out of the Diocese for more then six months. He is also accused of sharing women with Marvin Pervaiz (Director Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan) and Bishop of Sialkot Pervaiz Samuel in the same room in each other’s presence.
(C). Bishop of Sialkot Pervaiz Samuel the so-called Chief Sahib is notorious for women, alcohol and selling Church properties. At one time Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik used to say about him that it is a Sin to call him a Bishop but these days Bishop of Lahore seems to have forgotten his statements regarding the Bishop of Sialkot.
In the year 2002 Pervaiz Samuel sold the valuable premises of St. Andrews Church at Abdullah Haroon Road Karachi through the Attorneys of the Church of Scotland through an agreement. The market value of the said project at the time of sale is over 4 billion rupees, whereas it was given away at a nominal cost of 400 million rupees only. How much went in his personal pocket?
(D). Pastor Sadiq Daniel was illegally and unconstitutionally made Bishop of Karachi by the present so-called Moderator of the Church of Pakistan and the Primate of Pakistan Alexander John Malik who does not even accept the Church of Pakistan in his prevailing constitution of the Church of Pakistan Lahore Diocesan Council and at the same time this so-called Synod and its officers have been challenged in the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi wherein a restraining order against the Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik and his associates is still operative in Civil Suit no 970/2003.
The Rules for the Elections and Appointment of the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan and the constitution of the SYNOD of the Church of Pakistan prescribed a quorum of 16 out of 20 voters, in order to hold an election, whereas not even 12 valid voters could be listed on the day of the so-called election vide which Pastor Sadiq Daniel claims to be a Bishop. His office and election is disputed and pending adjudication before the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi in Civil Suit no. 379/2002. Another order dated 25/02/2004 passed by the Civil Court of Karachi in Suit no. 150/2004 is also operative against Pastor Sadiq Daniel vide which he can not exercise any power as a Bishop of the Church of Pakistan.
(E). The Executive Committee of the Synod in 1997 had passed rather clarified the constitution that only the Pastors between the ages of 30 to 60 years are eligible to contest the elections for a Bishop. The so-called SYNOD of the Bishop of Lahore Alexander John Malik even passed those minutes in its meetings held in June 2003 at Lahore, which demanded respect of those minutes by all those participating in that Synod of 2003.
Yet Pastor Rafique Masih of Hyderabad Diocese participated in the elections of the Bishop of Hyderabad Diocese held on 07/09/2003, although he had passed the age of 60 years on 23/06/2003. This so-called election vide which Pastor Rafique Masih claims to be a Bishop of the Church of Pakistan is also challenged in the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Sukkur and Karachi and an order passed by the Learned Judge of the High Court of Sindh at Sukkur is still effective against him against which Pastor Rafique Masih has filed an appeal in the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan where his appeal is still pending without being admitted.
The Bishops reconciliation of October 30, 2004:
Afraid of the growing awareness amongst the members of the Church of Pakistan all over Pakistan who have now started to demand the accountability from all the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan, the Bishops decided to reconcile and joined hands with each other and entered into an agreement on 30/10/2004 at Sialkot.
The only motive of this so-called reconciliation is to rub each other’s back by allowing each other to sell the church properties lying within their respective Dioceses.
Bishop of Faisalabad Diocese John Samuel who once wanted the permission of LDTA to sell a piece of land in Gojra (Faisalabad Diocese) upon refusal had filed a law Suit under Section 92 CPC against the LDTA for declaration that LDTA is defunct.
This bargain resulting an agreement between the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan dated 30/10/04 was reached through the efforts of the Bishop of Sialkot Pervaiz Samuel who is facing tough resistance in Karachi against the sale of St. Andrews Church at Karachi. He had already joined hands with Pastor Sadiq Daniel of Karachi were as Bishop of Karachi Ijaz Inayat Masih had refused to be a part of this bargain and also refused to enter into any agreement that allows the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan or anybody else to sell the Church properties. It is also important to note that the Bishop of Karachi Ijaz Inayat Masih has filed a Civil Suit no. 970/2003 in the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi where he has been able to obtain a Status Quo against the sale of all the properties of the Church of Pakistan.
At the same time Bishop of Lahore Diocese Alexander John Malik wanted to get-rid of the case pending in Court of the District Judge, Lahore regarding LDTA. The first section labeled as “A” in the reconciliation agreement facilitates the Church property sellers. Thus some consideration and right to sell the land has been given to John Samuel of Faisalabad, thus this so-called reconciliation. It is also noteworthy that the Bishop of Faisalabad John Samuel has brought huge agricultural estate in his native village CHAK # 48 of Sahiwal, although he always complains of shortage of Money in his own Diocese.
In the present situation Bishop of Karachi Ijaz Inayat Masih who no longer wishes to stand in line with the present Episcopal leadership of the Church of Pakistan has termed his efforts as a ‘Reformation Movement’, creating awareness among the masses so that accountability takes its course in a democratic manner.
Much encouraged by the response he feels that the Church of Pakistan has to go a long way for the restoration of its ministries. People from all over Pakistan have responded positively to the ‘Reformation Movement’, where as Bishop of Karachi Ijaz Inayat Masih wants more time to take his mission to the people at large. In many ways there are good signs of maturity among people, which may one day turn the tide in the Church of Pakistan. |
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PACF UK Celebrates Christmas. PCP Report |
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Nelson. On 18th Dec 2004, at United Reformed Church, Nelson, Pendle Asian Christian Forum arranged a Christmas dinner to raise Asian Christian awareness and to pray for world peace. Special guests included Rt. Rev. Bishop of Burnley, Rt. Rev. Bishop of Faisalabad John Samuel, Cllr. David Foster, Inspector Richard Clare, Colne Police station and Mr. Yaqub Masih.
The president PACF Mr. David Dean and Mr. Kenneth Massey hosted the programme. The programme started by reading from Holy Bible by Mrs. Pearl Karrim and the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Faisalabad offered a prayer. Mr. O’Neil Bashir introduced the programme,
“We strongly believe that laws that encourage religious hatred should be abolished and steps should be taken to ensure peace and harmony within communities and individuals with each other. We should all be proud of our religious beliefs whether we are Christians, Muslims, Jews or Hindus or belong to any other Faith, tolerance is a key. All Religions have a common message and that is of peace.”
General Secretary of Asian Christian Fellowship UK, Mr. Yaqub Masih spoke about Christmas celebration in UK and how the signs of Christmas and Christianity are slowly fading, whereas signs of the other religious festivals are higher keyed than Christmas. The Christians in Asia suffer persecution and subjected to religious hatred but still celebrate Christmas, as the rest of the world and have a strong Christian faith. We live in a multicultural society in England, which is a Christian country and all Christian festivals and traditions should not be compromised, but should be given equal importance as other faiths and we should be proud of our Christian heritage and Christian Faith.
Mr. David Armstrong, the head teacher of the Holy Savior R.C primary school presented the Karrim Family who has been victims of religious hatred. Rev Sally Thomas, Rt. Rev Bishop of Burnley and Rev Dr Mushtaq Masih of Grace Community Church also said a few words. Rev David Butler offered the prayer for world peace and Rt. Rev. Bishop of Faisalabad conducted the benediction.
The traditional meal was served. Pendle Asian Christian Forum Wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy and prosperous New Year. |
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Partners trying hard to save Bishops from accountability. By Rev.Khalid Mansoor Soomro |
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While the Reformation Movement in the Church of Pakistan is taking its course the Partners of the Church of Pakistan have now come up to the front as the facilitators of the corrupt leadership of the Church of Pakistan.
Issuing their statement regarding the present crises in the Church of Pakistan through an email dated 23/12/2004 the new Secretary of CPMPF (Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum) is trying to wash the dirt of the Bishops. Although the resent move of the so-called reconciliation is well known to the members of the Church of Pakistan within Pakistan and around the world as the issues are still unresolved, the CPMPF is trying to cover the wrong doings of bishops of the Church of Pakistan and trying to mislead the members of the universal Church portraying that all the issues and disputes of the Church of Pakistan have been resolved through an agreement of facilitation amongst the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan in order to save each other from accountability. It is interesting to note that the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi has already initiated Contempt of Court proceedings against the Bishops entering into the said agreement in order to further monopolize the Church and its resources.
With the growing awareness in the Church the members have now started demanding the accountability of the Bishops. For which on one hand the members have requested the NAB (National Accountability Bureau) authorities to look into the illegal sales of properties by the LDTA headed by the Bishop of Lahore and on the other hand in the Courts of Law the issue of the illegal sale of Church properties by the defunct Board of LDTA has been taken up by the Court as the Honorable Court has started adjudicating the matter. In this regard the present management headed by the Bishop of Lahore has been restrained from all transactions as well as from alienating trust properties from the trust by any means whatsoever.
Seeing growth of awareness amongst the members of the Church of Pakistan all over the world the electronic correspondence has been targeted by the CPMPF on the instigation of the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan. As the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan have failed to defend themselves in the existence of documentary evidences against them regarding their unconstitutional and illegal activities the CPMPF have started to make way for the Bishops by disputing the emails and electronic correspondences without even figuring out logical justifications.
It is note worthy that on the one side the entire western world is striving hard for democracy the partners are pushing for a concealed and corrupt system revolving around the Bishops without integrity. |
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CPMPF issues statement regarding CoP News Service: PCP Report by Rev. K. M. Soomro |
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On the 23rd of December 2004 the Church of Pakistan Missionary Partners Forum has issued a statement from Scotland, through their Secretary Mr. Sandy Sneddon, challenging the official status of the CoP News Service and the correspondences on the subject of the Church of Pakistan and its issues. It is interesting to note that the Partners of the Church of Pakistan have come in front after the announcements of the orders of the Honourable High Court of Lahore for the cancellation of the sales of the Church properties by the LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) headed by Bishop Alexander John Malik. In the orders dated 10.12.2004 the Honourable High Court, Lahore has restrained that Bishop of Lahore and the management of the LDTA from the sale of Church properties. It may also be noted that since 08.09.2003 a stay order is also prevailing against the Synod of the Church of Pakistan, in Suit no. 970/2003 at the Honourable High Court of Sindh at Karachi.
Following is the statement issued by the CPMPF.
“In recent months many people have received a large number of e-mails commenting on various issues affecting the Church of Pakistan. While the Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum acknowledges that there are areas of concern, the members wish to make it clear that the Church of Pakistan has no official News Service. To the best of our knowledge, these e-mails come from one particular group within the Church of Pakistan and are not representative of the wider church membership.
The Mission Partners Forum are concerned that the use of e-mails and media to spread discontent has been exploited by others who use these messages as evidence of splits and a lack of unity in the Church. This may further undermine the Church’s task of witness and service in Pakistan.
Many people in Pakistan and around the world rejoice and give thanks at the recent moves towards reconciliation within the Church of Pakistan. We hope that all parties involved would acknowledge God’s grace and the spirit of forgiveness that has led to this. We urge Christians who have a burden for the Church of Pakistan to keep this reconciliation in your prayers and to urge all parties to be open to the grace and leading of the Lord and work for forgiveness and unity in the Church.
This does not mean that problems are ignored or denied, but that they may be resolved in a way that bears the mark of faith in Jesus Christ.
Yours faithfully
Sandy Sneddon
Assistant Secretary (Asia)
World Mission
Church of Scotland |
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The Church of Pakistan News Service clarification on statement issued on behalf of the CPMPF from Scotland. By Rev. K. M Soomro |
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Karachi. January 5. The CoP News Service have issued a statement whereby the News Service Team have clarified the statement issued by Mr. Sandy Sneddon of the Church of Scotland on behalf of the Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum. Following is the statement issued by the CoP News Service:
Dear Readers,
This is to clarify the misleadingly statement issued by Mr. Sandy Sneddon of the Church of Scotland on behalf of the Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum dated 23/12/04. Please note that CPMPF is not an official forum of the Church of Pakistan in any manner whatsoever.
To the best of our knowledge and belief the impugned statement issued by the CPMPF dated 23/12/04 has been issued on the instigations of the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan to save them from accountability. As the growing awareness is not letting the Bishops achieve their hidden motives, through an un-official forum the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan have tried to stop the awareness drive.
For the information of our readers link of an article KIRK FACES UP TO SHAME OF SECTARIANISM by ANDREW DENHOLM, published by the www.news.scotsman.com is produced hereunder:
Full article: The article published from Scotland is self-explanatory, reported by the correspondent of the www.news.scotsman.com at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Thus, the CoP News Service Team requests its readers to kindly go through the above-said article in order to understand the policy of the Church of Scotland based on Sectarianism.
It is also mandatory to bring in the knowledge of the readers that vide another report published by the www.news.scotsman.com it has come to our knowledge that the St. Andrews Church at Karachi was put up for sale by the Attorneys of the Church of Scotland with the due approval of the Church of Scotland, for the sale of the said Church property, to which the Church of Scotland is disowning after executing TENANCY RIGHT AGREEMENT (executed at Lahore on 15/06/2002) through the Attorneys of the Church of Scotland resident at Pakistan. Following is the link of the aforesaid report:
Full article: Who knows that the present staff of the Church of Scotland is doing the same mistake of taking sides in the Church of Pakistan on the basis of their policy based on Sectarianism, ignoring the Christian mandate of bringing peace to the earth and the Church?
It is required of the committees and the Chairpersons of the Church of Scotland to look into the working of their staff and guide them. It may be the need of the time to revise policies wherever needed to bring merit in the attitude of the staff members of the Church of Scotland.
It is also required to bring in the notice of the members of the Church of Pakistan that at present the Synod of the Church of Pakistan is disputed, pending adjudication before the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi in Civil Suit no. 970/2003. Wherein a restraining order is prevailing against the illegally constituted Synod of the Church of Pakistan. Consequently, in the light of the prevailing legal situation no Board or Committee of the Synod Church of Pakistan is legally effective or of any use. Thus there is nobody at the moment to declare the CoP News Service as an official or unofficial News Service of the Church of Pakistan. Therefore, the statement on behalf of the CPMPF is void, misleading, without jurisdiction and of no legal effect.
Let us remind the readers that for years the Partners have been silent over the Karachi issue on the instructions of their favorite Bishops in the Church of Pakistan on the pretext that litigation is pending in the Courts of Pakistan. Why is it so that the Partners are forgetful of their previous stand? Isnt it a dual standard on the part of the Partners?
The disputed agreement amongst the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan dated 30/10/04 has been challenged in the Honorable High Court of Sindh at Karachi as the document in question amounts to contempt of Court. The agreement of the Bishops dated 30/10/04 embarks upon the immoveable properties of the Church of Pakistan and its legal status held within the Church of Pakistan. It further capitalizes and monopolizes the exercise of powers into few hands while the said agreement attempts to deal with the properties of the Church of Pakistan. It has further provided that no one of the Church of Pakistan Bishops or Diocesan authority would institute any Court case challenging the status and legality and property holders within the Church of Pakistan and in the event of any grievance, the matter is now required to be referred to the Bishops Council.
Hence monopoly has been generated under the agreement ignoring the aspect that there is no concept of a body called BISHOPS COUNCIL under the provisions of the Church of Pakistan. It is further apprehended that the basic structure of the Constitution of the Church of Pakistan is being attempted to be modified, altered, changed in the said agreement to the disadvantage of the Church of Pakistan itself viz a viz its property holdings and the benevolence which could be extended by the Church of Pakistan to the general public amongst the Christian community in Pakistan.
At the same time the CoP News Service wishes to make it clear that there are definitely unresolved issues pending in the Church of Pakistan, which need to be resolved. However, an ignorant faction of the Church of Pakistan, consisting of the dishonest bishops is trying hard to portray that the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan has settled everything, thus there is no need of accountability and deliberation at any level. Yet it is sadistically notable that the Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum according to their usual practice are supporting the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan on the policy based on Sectarianism and assisting them to carry on their dishonest practice in the Body of the Christ, ignoring the fact that the resources which the Bishops of the Church of Pakistan wants to usurp belongs to the members of the Church of Pakistan.
As a matter of fact the illegal sales of Church property by the Bishops is a core issues still pending unresolved. The competent Courts have already been moved for the peaceful resolution of all the issues, wherein vide an order dated 10/12/04 the High Court of Lahore has restrained the Lahore Diocesan Trust Association from alienating or changing trust property by any means whatsoever, at the same time the Learned Judge commented that the competent Courts must be moved for the cancellation of the sold properties. Issues of the offices of Bishop of Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Hyderabad are still unresolved. Illegal absence of the Bishop of Raiwind from his Diocese for more then 9 months every year is another issue needs to be settled. In coming days we are planning to publish a WHITE PAPER, wherein all the issues along with their evidential proofs will be public for the information of the members of the Church of Pakistan, all the over world. |
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Azad Pakistan Masihi League announces convention in Lahore on January 15. PCP Report. |
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Karachi. January 7. Mr. Albert U Mall Advocate, president of Azad Pakistan Masihi League announced here today that APML should hold annual convention in Lahore on January 15. He called upon Christian leaders of different organization in Karachi to extend invitations of convention and broad based alliance of Christians of Sindh and Punjab.
Mr. Mall visited God’s People Fellowship of Pakistan offices and discussed issues of general interests of cooperation with Ashraf P Butt Advocate. The GPF assured of participation in said convention.
The political circles here are optimistic about APML convention and hope for its success. |
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Marium Hospital Trust under Light org. Kasur appeals for Donations, |
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Kasur is one of the oldest cities of Pakistan, located 55 kilometers South of Lahore on Lahore Ferozpur Road. Just 9 Kilo Metes from the International Borders with India. According to the consensus of 1998, the total population of Kasur city was 19,33,484 around 1.8 Million out of which 9,59,688 are male and 8,73,796 are female. The Christians are 4.4 % of the total population. The estimated population today stand around 25,00,000 (2.5 Milion))
Kasur is the city of the largest “Leather Industry” of Pakistan. It is here that the raw animal skin or “Hide” is processed and sent to various “Leather Goods Manufacturers” in Pakistan and around the world. This industry has polluted the environment of the city which affects directly and damages human lungs and is a major cause of “Asthmatic related diseases” among the population of the local population as well as the visitors from other areas. The chemical waste has polluted the “underground” water that has become the major cause of ever increasing “Liver, Kidney and Intestine” related diseases. Kasur city does not have proper medical facilities and the sick men, women and children have to be taken to Lahore the Provincial Capital of Punjab is hour and a half drive from Kasur. Expectant mothers face the real problem as it is not convenient or possible to shift them to better hospitals in Lahore in case of emergency. This situation had caused a number of deaths of mothers and infants due to maternity related hardship.
The “Trust” has accuired 1,26,000 SQFT of “Land” for this project. Mr. Salah ud Din Ahmad Khan of District Kasur has donated 36,000 SQFT of land whileMr. Abdul Jabbar Lanhga Advocate and his mother Mrs. Shakina Bibi have donated 18,000 Sqft of land. The remaining land, amounting to Rupees 40,00,000.00 (US$ 69,000.00) has been purchased b the “Trust” with personal gifts and local resource.
The Site of the hospital is located 1 Kilo Meter from Kasur Distric Courts on Debalpur Road, near Treatment Plant and opposite Muhammad Ahmad Khan Town.
According to a very carefully estimated cost of the project is Pakistan Rupees 5,00,00,000.00 (Rupees 50 Million) or US$ 8,00,000.00 Aprox. This includes the hospital building, nurses and doctors quarters and residential facilities of other workers of the hospital. The medical equipments and machinery, the furnishing of 250 beds of Medical, Surgical, Intensive Care Unit, Maternity Ward and Out Door patents section. Ambulances and other necessary vehicles for the hospital.
APPEAL.
Happiness comes by sharing. In your “prayers and pleasures” please remember all those poor, helpless and sick men women and children with “Pale and illness tortured faces” who look toward YOU for help and a healthy future. We need your very personal help and interest in this noble cause for suffering humanity. We need your financial help, no matter how small it may be. Yet we are sure that those whom God has blessed abundantly will give generously. We need your hands in this historical project. We earnestly request for your prayers, guidance, support and financial assistance. Put your hands together with us to make this a project a success and complete it is minimum period of time for the time is running out for sick humanity in the area. Please pay a courtesy visit at the Site Office to get first hand knowledge and see for your self what misery is being faced by poor community of Kasur. Or visitour Web Site. www.light-pk.org
PLEASE DONATE:
Please sent your donations through Crossed Cheques/Bank Drafts/Money Orders to:-
Alfalah Bank
McLeod Road Branch, Lahore. Pakistan.
Foreigne CurrencyAccount No- 506-037-004731-01 |
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Hinn Leads Successful India Crusade Despite Protests. By Rae Pearson |
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CBN News Producer : Enormous crowds turned out for Benny Hinn's recent outreach in India, despite attempts by radical Hindus to block the event.
It was apparent that their threats could not stifle the spiritual hunger so many were feeling. Hinn's ministry is calling it the largest healing service ever held in India, a three day "Festival of Blessings."
It was attended by an estimated seven million people, where God's power touched even non-believers.
Hinn described one servicegoer, "She's crying, saying, I am not a Christian, I am not a Christian. Is it okay that Jesus heals | | | |
