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Britain promises more anti-terror aid to Pakistan |
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ISLAMABAD: December 14, 2008. (AFP) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday pledged more technical support and funding to help Pakistan and India battle terrorism in the wake of the attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 160 people. |
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Brown made the offers as he made whirlwind visits to both nations' capitals and tried to calm tensions following the assaults, which India has blamed on a Pakistani-based Islamist group.
Brown urged the nuclear-armed rivals to cooperate to peacefully resolve the crisis, which the U.S. fears could divert Pakistan's attention away from battling al-Qaida and Taliban militants along its border with Afghanistan.
In Pakistan, Brown met with President Asif Ali Zardari and promised the Muslim nation new bomb-scanning technology, forensic assistance, help improving airport security and other support. He also announced a $9 million program to help fight the causes of extremism and strengthen democracy, including trying to reach out to and educate Pakistani youth to avoid radicalization.
"We will continue to expand our counterterrorism assistance program with Pakistan, and it will be, more than ever, the most comprehensive anti-terrorism program Britain has signed with any country," Brown said at a joint news conference with Zardari.
Brown also said more would be done with both India and Pakistan to share police data on terror suspects and groups.
For Britain, which has a large South Asian population and colonial-era links to the region, the subject is of vital concern. Three-quarters of the most serious terror plots investigated by British authorities have links to al-Qaida in Pakistan, Brown said.
The investigations included the trans-Atlantic airliner plot, where a group of men were accused of trying to blow up several airliners. Three of four British-born men who carried out the London suicide bombings that killed 52 commuters in 2005 had family ties to Pakistan. British citizens were also among the dead in the Mumbai attacks.
"All of us suffer when terrorists are active and are able to impose their will," Brown said.
Brown said he asked Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during breakfast Sunday if he would allow British authorities to question the only known surviving gunman in the Mumbai massacre, and asked Zadari for similar cooperation with arrested suspects.
India has blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba Islamic group for the attacks, an assertion Brown echoed.
"We also know that the group responsible (for the Mumbai attacks) is LET, and they have a great deal to answer for," Brown said.
According to India, the 10 gunmen nine of whom were killed were from Pakistan, as were the handlers, masterminds, weapons, training camps and financing.
Pakistan has arrested some suspected plotters and shut offices of a charity allegedly linked to Lashkar, but it is pressing India to provide evidence to aid in prosecutions.
India now finds itself in the awkward position of potentially having to investigate terrorist attacks hand-in-hand with its longtime nemesis. The two countries have fought three wars against each other since independence from Britain in 1947.
Zardari said Pakistan wants peaceful relations and views the post-Mumbai scenario as "an opportunity to cooperate with India, to take the relationship with India to another level."
Adding to tensions, Pakistani officials said Indian aircraft violated Pakistan's airspace twice Saturday over the eastern city of Lahore and in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
India denied the claims, and Pakistani officials tried to downplay the matter Sunday. Zardari said the incursions were "technical" and that the media were "trying to sell bad news."
Two of the wars the sides have fought have been over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, whose status has emerged as a recurrent theme in the radicalization of young British Muslims. Despite a peace process that began in 2004, tensions remain high between India and Pakistan.
Brown arrived in India following a surprise visit Saturday to Afghanistan, where he met with British soldiers and hinted Britain would provide more troops, saying Europe's streets were safer because of the fight in Afghanistan.
While with Zardari, Brown said he also raised the subject of insecurity along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.
Al-Qaida and Taliban militants have found safe havens on the Pakistani side, to the chagrin of U.S. and NATO leaders who fear the insurgents are using those sanctuaries to plot attacks on their troops in Afghanistan.
Improving the border security "is in all our interest" Brown said, because of the "people practicing terror who are moving with ease."
Brown is leading a review of the U.K.'s strategy in Afghanistan, and an announcement on troop deployment is expected in Parliament this week. American leaders say thousands of incoming U.S. troops will be sent to reinforce British forces in the restive south.
Britain has some 8,200 troops in Afghanistan. More than 130 British soldiers have died there since 2001 |
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Pope: Immigrant kids must be integrated |
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VATICAN CITY: November 27, 2009. (AP) Pope Benedict XVI says immigrant children must be fully integrated into their new societies and protected from the risks of exploitation. |
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Benedict made the appeal in a message published Friday to mark the church's World Day for Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrated Jan. 17.
The pontiff says the number of migrant children seeking political asylum is on the rise, requiring coordinated action by governments to ensure they are protected from exploitation and welcomed.
He says young immigrants must be educated and given the opportunity to enter into the work force of their new home countries.
He didn't mention any country by name, but Italy and the rest of Europe have been struggling with how to fully integrate immigrants into society. |
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Peace process with Pakistan put on 'pause': Indian minister |
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SRINAGAR: December 16, 2008. (AFP) India's foreign minister said Tuesday the peace process with Pakistan had been put on hold in the wake of last month's Islamic militant attacks on Mumbai.
"I do admit there is a pause in the composite dialogue process because of the attacks on Mumbai," Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir.
"What we expect, and what we have pointed out to (Pakistani Foreign Minister) Shah Mahmood Qureshi, is that Pakistan should fulfil its commitment of not allowing its territory for terrorist attacks against India," he added.
"Words must be followed up with action," Mukherjee said, calling for militant "infrastructural facilities" in Pakistan to be dismantled.
"We expect that good sense will prevail and we expect that the assurances that are coming will translate into action," he said.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the official Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported that the Indian government was considering suspending the peace process.
The dialogue, which began in 2004, had already been under serious strain following the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul in July -- which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad.
Last month's attacks in Mumbai killed 172 people and wounded nearly 300 others. Indian officials say the militants were trained and sent by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group. |
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Mending walls between Pope and Archbishop |
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VATICAN: November 28, 2009. (By jochanj) Vatican officially announced the meeting between Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury as Cordial on Saturday |
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The Pope gifted the Archbishop with a pectoral Cross and the Archbishop had a ring that Pope Paul VI had gifted to Archbishop Michael Ramsey.
A statement issued just after the meeting of the leaders in Vatican said that the leaders discussed, the need to promote forms of collaboration and shared witness as Christianity all over the world faces challenges. The statement continued to clarify the meeting as the discussions also focused on recent events affecting relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
The statement affirmed the preparedness of the leaders for shared will to continue and consolidate the ecumenical relationship between Catholics and Anglicans. Soon after the meeting the Dr. Williams, the Archbishop, in an interview granted to BBCBBC said that the meeting had gone smoothly, as well as I could have hoped. I was able to express the concerns which many Anglicans feel in the way the Apostolic Constitution was handled, in the way it was made public, but we moved from there to talk more positive matters of co-operation, and he (the Pope) was extremely enthusiastic about the next stage of official dialogue between the two churches.
Dr. Williams brushed aside the accusation that the Popes move had damaged ecumenical relations. He said, I think not. I think its a pastoral measure for certain people, certain groupings. It is not a new ecumenism, as some people are saying. It is not a new departure replacing the continuing dialogue of the two Churches as Churches.
The suggestion that there is a new track in ecumenism in the Apostolic Constitution is not the case.
In yet another interview with Vatican Radio, the Archbishop said that the misleading messages given out in the manner of announcement of the Popes move had left both the Archbishop and many Anglicans in an awkward position for some time. I wanted to share some of these concerns with the Pope. I think those were expressed and heard in a friendly spirit. |
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Christmas decorations a reminder of new life from Christ, pope says |
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VATICAN CITY: December 16, 2008. (CNS) The traditional decorations of Christmas are reminders that the light and love of Jesus Christ bring new life to all who wait in darkness, Pope Benedict XVI said. |
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The pope spoke about Christmas trees as symbols of new life Dec. 12 when he met a delegation from Austria, which donated the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, and he spoke about Nativity scenes as reminders of God's love for humanity when he blessed figures of the baby Jesus Dec. 14 before reciting the Angelus.
"Before the Nativity scene, we experience Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the face of the God who drew near to us out of love," the pope said during his Angelus address.
The day's reading from St. Paul, he said, called on Christians to rejoice because the Lord is near.
Although the Catholic Church believes in the second coming of Christ, there is no need for "alarmism," he said. "The nearness of God is not a question of space or time, but a question of love: Love is drawing near."
In the special blessing for the Nativity scene figures, which Roman children brought to St. Peter's Square for the occasion, the pope prayed that the figurines would be signs of the presence of Jesus' love in people's homes and families.
"Open our hearts so that we can receive Jesus in joy, that we always can do what he asks of us and that we can see him in all those who need our love," the pope prayed.
In his Dec. 12 meeting with the Austrian pilgrims -- including the bishop of Sankt Polten, the governor of Lower Austria and the mayor of Gutenstein -- the pope noted that the 120-year-old, 108-foot-tall spruce was the tallest to ever stand in the center of St. Peter's Square.
"In the coming weeks, the Christmas tree will give joy to Romans and to many pilgrims from every part of the world who will come to the Eternal City," the pope said. "I will be able to see it from my window and will enjoy it."
"Its soaring form, its green and the lights on its branches are signs of life," the pope said.
The tree is a reminder that "Christ, the son of God, brings new hope and new splendor to the dark, cold and unredeemed world into which he was born," he said.
In the midst of a rainstorm Dec. 13, hundreds of people joined Vatican officials and the Austrian dignitaries for the tree-lighting ceremony, which ended with the singing of "O Tannebaum." |
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Dottore Architetto Ashraf Ramelah writes to Coptic Pope |
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His Holiness Pope Shenuda III, Patriarch and Bishops President of the great Alexandria, I am certain that this open letter will meet various disappointments in the Coptic community |
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I am certain that you will understand that the only reason I write is my concern for the Coptic situation and your relationship to the Church as its leader. I believe that our Lord wanted you to guide his Church. Meanwhile this does not mean that everything you do meets his will.
For some time, I have been observing the Church leaders statements on various occasions, and I regret to admit that certain reports were against Copts, the Coptic Church, and overall, against Bible teaching.
In all these years, the reports issued by the Church leaders contradicted the facts about Copts and had the goal to help the regime in painting a nice picture for those outside the country so that it appeared without discrimination against the Copts in Egypt.
His Holiness; I can hear your voice whisper, Son, the Church must say certain things for the sake of peace and to protect its sons. The question that comes to mind is how many Copts were killed, or jailed? How many Copts lost their homes and businesses? How many Coptic girls continue to suffer as a result of being kidnapped? How many girls were forced to change their faith? Did the Churchs statements serve to save any Coptic life, home or business? Or more likely, just help Mubaraks regime to attack the human rights of Copts?
His Holiness; The Lord teaches us to stand against the bad without fear, but now it seems that our Church is trying to please a dictatorial regime instead of standing beside its children. For more than 40 years our Church has been under clear attack. We have never heard any Church strong statement condemning any of those barbaric acts!
The sad reality is that all the years the Church covered up the regimes acts of oppression and discrimination against Copts it served to discredit any Coptic human rights issues bringing the suffering of Copts to the international body.
All Copts need to hear straight forward answers from church leaders to the following questions:
- Are Copts living under a regime that oppresses and discriminates against them or is the information reported in various websites, local and international news media incorrect and the Coptic in the Diaspora trying with their false information to discredit the great democratic leader ruling the country for the last 28 years?
- Was the government action to massacre more than 600,000 pigs owned by Copts a plan to damage Coptic income and to force more than two millions Copts to go hungry or to change their faith? The massacre of those animals violated basic animals rights and basic humanity.
- Did the Church create a list of the kinds of food to be eaten that people have to follow? Christ gives us our freedom and no one can take it away. It is written, Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man. Matt 15:11.
The statement issued at the time of the pig massacre indicating that Copts do not eat pork meat is an example of political correctness. The Copts have been subject to the political correctness method for more than 1400 years. Furthermore, to make such a statement goes against Christs teaching in the following scripture, which says, Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' anything more is from the evil one. Matt 5:37. However, we all know that David, Samson, and Solomon were all chosen of God and each made mistakes.
- When are we going to stand up and ask for our rights as Egyptian citizens and not as Christians living in Egypt? It is both basic and elementary that a human being be treated with respect and treat others with respect.
My final concern is related to a strange comment made by Your Holiness when referring to the candidacy of a Copt for president in the upcoming presidential election. You said that it is not good that one from a minority group become president of a majority group.
I would like to mention something you have forgotten, that of the requirements for making a bid for president:
- The candidate must be Egyptian.
- Copts are Egyptian and they never minded being governed by the non-Coptic.
- The President has to be honest and care about his own country.
In the USA the president today is African-American and African-Americans are a minority in America. They are a smaller percentage of US population than the Coptic minority is in Egypt. |
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No proof of Pakistan link to Mumbai attacks: Zardari |
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LONDON: December 18, 2008. (AFP) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari insisted in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday that there was no firm proof linking his country to last month's attacks on India's financial centre, Mumbai. |
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Speaking to the British broadcaster from Islamabad, he said the investigations into the attacks were ongoing and he would "not jump to a conclusion" on who was responsible until they were complete.
New Delhi has fingered "elements" in Pakistan for the attacks that left 172 people dead, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said militants from Pakistan-based group Laskhar-e-Taiba were responsible.
"What we are saying is that we are willing to cooperate -- and you know like anybody else does, that investigation is an evolving process, it hasn't been long enough" to come to any conclusions, Zardari said.
He added: "I think we will hold our judgement till the proper investigation and conclusive evidence is shared between Pakistan and India, and we're hoping that that would happen because we've asked for a joint investigation."
Put to him that the sole surviving gunman has been identified as a Pakistan national, the president said: "No, we don't know that, we haven't investigated that, we are investigating that position.
"There have been disputed positions in the press... I would say the investigation is ongoing and I would not jump to a conclusion."
However, he said his country was prepared to act if links to Pakistan emerged.
"If that stage comes, and when it comes, I assure you that our parliament, our democracy, shall take the action properly deemed in our constitution and in our law," he said. |
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The Feast of St. Xavier celebrated in Abu Dhabi |
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DHABI: December 6, 2009. (By Jochanji) Catholics in Abu Dhabi celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier on 3 December with gaiety and splendor. |
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The celebrations were held at the St. Josephs Cathedral ground, Abu Dhabi.
The services began with the recitation of Holy Rosary at 7.30 p.m. followed by a procession and a concelebrated mass in Konkani, a local Indian tongue. His Eminence Bishop Paul Hinder attended the services and addressed the community.
The Konkani speaking catholic community in Abu Dhabi displays a strong sense of unity with timely celebrations of church services and retreats. They call themselves as the Goan community. The leader of the Goan Community in Abu Dhabi, Mr. John reminded those attended the service, main objectives of the Goan community and thanked the priests and prelate present on the occasion. Fr. Rudolf D Souza, who had earlier conducted a retreat for the community; delivered a homily during the mass, marking the end of the retreat. He said strive hard to achieve your goals and yet it is impossible to achieve anything without God and His assistance. |
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Multan bench of LHC hears case of two kidnapped Christian teenage sisters and enforced conversion to Islam |
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Multan, Pakistan: December 18, 2008. (The Sikh Times) After a judge placed new financial and social pressure on the captors of a Pakistani girl who was kidnapped and converted to Islam, attorneys have guarded optimism they can return her to custody of her Christian parents, one news from Pakistan has reported.
Judge Malik Saeed Ijaz ordered the girls husband, Amjad Ali, to pay a dowry of 100,000 rupees (US$1,275) and allow her parents visitation rights, two actions required by typical Pakistani marriage protocol.
So far he has done neither.
The judge gave Saba Masih, 13, the opportunity to talk with her family during yesterdays hearing, but she remained mostly silent behind her veil, offering only blunt replies.
I dont want to see my parents. They are Christians and I am a Muslim, she said, according to her parents attorney.
Her younger sister Aneela Masih, who was also kidnapped but returned to her family three months ago, pleaded with her older sister to return home. The 10-year-old told her that Christmas was coming and she didnt want her sister to spend it with those who are not our people.
Saba Masih appeared at the Multan branch of Lahores High Court yesterday along with her Muslim husband and his family. Her parents filed a contempt petition last month against her captors for failing to follow Pakistani marriage protocol.
Islamic law (sharia), however, gives a wife the right to relinquish a dowry. Lawyers said they fear that the Muslim family will pressure Saba Masih to claim this right in order to offset growing financial pressure.
Lawyers hope that if her mother can visit her, it will convince her to leave her husband and come home to the family; her family believes he has threatened her with violence if she attempts to rejoin them.
At Mondays hearing, Saba Masih still appeared reluctant to return to her family. Relatives said they were praying that she would change her mind and that the captors would lose their influence over her.
The main thing is Saba must be ready herself to come back, said her uncle, Khalid Raheel, the family spokesman. But she isnt ready to come back yet, and I dont know how they are convincing her.
On Wednesday (Dec. 17) the judge is expected to adjourn the case and issue a deed requiring Ali to pay the dowry at the convenience of the Masih family. The judge yesterday threatened Ali with prison time if he failed to carry out this order.
Akbar Durrani, attorney for the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), said the attorneys might try to use Aneela Masihs testimony of kidnapping to take the case to the Supreme Court if other options fail.
The Christian familys lawyer said the attempt to force Ali to pay a dowry was a tactic to mount financial pressure on Saba Masihs husband and to convince her to return home.
Her family and their lawyers believe she has stayed with her Muslim husband because he and his family have issued death threats.
The Christian familys chances of winning run against the judicial status quo for Pakistani religious minorities, but the new push comes after a Sept. 9 ruling that returned Aneela Masih to her parents, a rare legal victory for non-Muslims.
Aneela and Saba Masih were kidnapped on June 26 while travelling to visit their uncle in Sarwar Shaheed, northwest of Multan. Their parents say local fruit vendor Muhammad Arif Bajwa and three others kidnapped them in Chawk Munda, a small town in south Punjab.
Saba Masih was married to Ali the next day. Bajwa and Ali registered a case with the police on June 28 for custody of the girls based on their alleged conversion to Islam.
Local residents regard the men as serial kidnappers with connections to a human trafficking ring. The girls first defense attorney believed they could have been raped and sold to a brothel.
Ironically, attorneys said, the kidnappers alleged desire to exploit Saba Masih may now be the best hope of her returning to her parents, as keeping her has become not lucrative but increasingly costly with court hearings continuing and legal fees multiplying.
These [kidnappers] dont have an emotional link to Saba, Durrani told Compass by phone. They are in the business of prostitution and only wanted to use these girls for their business.
Prosecuting attorneys said they have a growing optimism that they can regain custody of Saba Masih, something they thought unlikely two months ago.
In previous hearings, a judge allowed Saba Masih to choose whether or not she would return to her family, even though Pakistan marriage law requires the approval of legal guardians at the age of 16.
The judge determined that her age was 17 based on her testimony and a report by a medical board pressured by Muslim groups to inflate her age. He did not accept as evidence her birth certificate and baptismal record that showed her age as 13.
Younis Masih and his wife first saw their daughters after their kidnapping at a July hearing. The girls were in the company of 16 Muslims and were said to be under pressure to claim they had converted to Islam.
After Aneela Masih returned to her family in September, she claimed that their captors threatened to kill them and their family if they did not do everything asked of them.
Previously it had been reported that she was raped while in captivity, but there was no medical evidence that she was sexually abused or manhandled, lawyers said.
Her sister appears to be suffering, Durrani said.
The family has told us that Saba Masih is not in good condition most of the time she cries and is not satisfied there, Durrani said.
Kidnapping of Christians in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million is not uncommon. Many captors believe they will not be convicted if caught due to the penal codes influence by sharia, which grants non-Muslims second-class status in society.
Every year there are cases of Pakistani Christian children kidnapped, killed or exploited by those who believe their parents are powerless.
Last month a Muslim family in Nankan kidnapped the 7-year-old son of Pakistani Christian Binyamin Yusef, 30, over a land dispute. Two days later police found his sons body, which showed signs of torture and rape.
Police did not register the case when Yusef initially approached them. CLAAS representatives hope to open court action against the alleged perpetrators. |
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Eritrea Imprisons Large Group of Elderly Women |
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Washington DC: December 7, 2009. International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 5 at 4 PM local time, officials of Eritrea arrested 30 Christian women in Asmara, the capital city of the country. |
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The mostly elderly women were praying together at a house when security forces rounded them up and hauled them off to police station one in Asmara. Their children and grandchildren told our sources that they are concerned about the safety of their loved ones.
Most of the detainees are members of Faith Mission Church, an Evangelical Church with a Methodist background. The church has been carrying out evangelistic and development activities in Eritrea for over five decades and was forced to go underground in 2002 after Eritrean officials required all religious groups to register. The officials then allowed only three Christian denominations to register. The three registered churches are: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea.
Since 2002, officials of Eritrea have been cracking down on members of both registered and unregistered churches. They have imprisoned more than 3000 Christians keeping them in underground dungeons, mental shipping containers, and military barracks. Several Christians have died inside prisons due to torture and lack of medical attention.
ICCs Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho said We condemn the arrest of the 30 women by Eritrean officials. We urge officials of Eritrea to release the detainees and all the imprisoned Christians in the country. We call upon Eritrea to stop violating the freedom of religion of its people.
Please pray for the safety of the imprisoned women, their release from prison, and for the release of all the imprisoned Christians in Eritrea. |
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Amnesty International slams Indian anti-terror law |
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NEW DELHI: December 19, 2008. Amnesty International on Friday slammed Indias new anti-terror legislation to beef up police powers in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, saying it violates international human rights treaties. |
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The London-based human rights group called on Indias president not to approve the legislation, which would double the number of days police can detain terror suspects before filing charges, from 90 days to 180, as well as boost their powers to conduct searches.
Both houses of Indias Parliament passed the bill this week, following last months attacks on Mumbai by suspected Islamic terrorists that killed 164 people. It now needs President Pratibha Patils approval before becoming law.
While we utterly condemn the attacks and recognise that the Indian authorities have a right and duty to take effective measures to ensure the security of the population, security concerns should never be used to jeopardise peoples human rights, Madhu Malhotra, Asia Pacific Program Deputy Director at Amnesty International, said in a statement.
The governments top law enforcement official, Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, defended the bill in Parliament on Wednesday as providing an adequate balance between the demands of human rights and the people of India for strong anti-terror laws.
The anti-terror bill, which was sent to Parliament along with a bill to create an FBI-style national investigation agency, was meant to beef up the powers of Indias police and judicial system to combat terrorists.
But Amnesty said the process was hasty and would likely undermine the rule of law and violate international human rights treaties. It did not specify the treaties.
In particular, Amnesty raised concerns about the sweeping definition of terrorism, extending the detention of suspects by up to 180 days, denying bail to foreigners who enter the country illegally, and the requirements, in certain circumstances, for the accused to prove their innocence.
It also condemned giving courts the right to close proceedings to the public.
Communist opposition parties had called for changes to the bill, fearing human rights abuses, but ultimately voted in favour.
To detain a person for up to 180 days will be an infringement of his human rights. We are against it, Basudeb Acharia, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) told The Associated Press.
Despite Chidambarams assurances, the government has long resisted introducing a tougher anti-terror law since repealing a law written by the Hindu nationalist BJP after coming to power in 2004, saying it was draconian and would unfairly target Indias large Muslim minority.
Indias experience with previous anti-terrorism laws has shown that they can lead to abusive practices, Amnesty said. |
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UK: Islamic Supremacist Group Launches "Jesus4Shariah" Campaign |
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Washington DC: December 9, 2009. (REAL) The British Islamic Supremacist group "Islam4UK" led by Anjem Choudary has a new campaign to promote Islamic Supremacism called "Jesus 4 Shariah." |
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In this latest campaign, this group that has called for Sharia-based stonings, amputations, suppression of women, and support for Jihadist terrorists, seeks to persuade the public that Jesus would be against democracy and would be promoting Islamic Sharia law. Islam4UK plans to schedule a "debate" to prove this point at an unknown location on December 18, 2009 in the United Kingdom.
Among its points, Islam4UK asks:
-- "Is the message of Jesus pro-secular democracy or pro-total implementation divine law within society?"
-- "Would Jesus stand with the oppressed people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine or with the oppressive occupiers?"
The purpose of Islam4UK's December 18 UK event is to provide "the truth of Islam."
Islamic Supremacist Islam4UK Group's December 18 Campaign - Slide 2What Islam4UK does not mention in this latest campaign is who and what its organization represents.
In its failed October 2009 campaign for a October 31 rally (that they backed out of), the anti-democracy, anti-freedom, Islam4UK organization also called for an end to "liberalism" in the United Kingdom and demands that "it is time for authority to be turned over to the Muslims." The Islam4UK group's leader, Anjem Choudary, has praised the 9/11 attackers, sought funding for "mujaheddin," called for oppression of women, and sought stoning and amputations to be part of Sharia law in the United Kingdom.
Two months ago, the "Islam4UK" group stated that it planned -- "On 31st October 2009, at approximately 1 pm, Muslims will be marching in a spectacular procession in support of Shari'ah law. Never before has such an event taken place in the United Kingdom, as thousands of Muslims plan to take to the heart of the Capital and demand the full implementation of Shari'ah law. Indeed, the British society has suffered extensively from the oppression of democracy and man made law, and the Muslims stand united in saying 'Enough is enough.' We have had enough of freedom, and enough of liberalism, it is time for sovereignty to return to the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Almighty Allah (SWT) and it is time for authority to be handed to the Muslims. "
The Daily Express reported in October that Islam4UK stated "we have had enough of democracy and man-made law and the depravity of the British culture.' 'On this day we will call for a complete upheaval of the British ruling system its members and legislature, and demand the full implementation of Shari'ah in Britain.' "
According to the London Evening Standard, the Islamic supremacist group "Islam4UK" is a spin-off from the previously banned "Al-Muhajiroun" led by exiled leader Omar Bakri Muhammed. Al-Muhajiroun has praised the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Omar Bakri Muhammed who continues to broadcast to Islamic supremacists in the United Kingdom via the Internet using the Paltalk tool on a nightly basis (9:30 PM - 11:30 PM GMT), as promoted on the "Islam4UK" web site.
Anjem Choudary, the deputy of exiled radical Omar Bakri Muhammed, has been conducting ongoing operations of the "Islam4UK" organization in the United Kingdom.
Choudary praised the 9/11 attackers along with Omar Bakri Muhammed. Choudary has stated that "Jihad is a duty and a struggle and an obligation that lies upon the shoulders of us all. We will not rest until the flag of Allah and the flag of Islam is raised above 10 Downing Street" He has also stated "if you do not fear your home being raided by the Kufar [non-believer] police, you are not enforcing the Sharia."
As part of his calls for Sharia law in the United Kingdom, Islam4UK's Anjem Choudary has been reported calling for the enforcement of bukhas on women in the United Kingdom, stating: "Every woman, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, would have to wear a traditional burkha and cover everything apart from her face and hands in public." Choudary's calls for Sharia in the United Kingdom have also demanded stoning, stating: "In matters to do with the judicial system and the penal code, one male witness is sufficient to counter the testimony of two females. People who commit adultery would be stoned to death."Street, and a draconian form of sharia law imposed across the UK. He wants alcohol banned, amputations for thieves, and adulterers to be stoned to death." The Daily Mail report quotes Choudary as praising Sharia-based amputations for thieves, with Choudary stating "It is a deterrent. If you steal, you know you will face having your hands and feet cut off." In March 2009, Choudary was quoted by numerous news services for threatening homosexuals in the United Kingdom with punishment under Sharia law.
The July 24 Daily Mail report also addressed Anjem Choudary's "road shows" around the United Kingdom to gain followers for his Islamic supremacist ideology, including small children. The Sunday Mercury has also reported on Choudary's efforts to "convert" small children to his beliefs in the United Kingdom. Choudary has created a "summer school" for Sharia to indoctrinate children, according to reports.
The Daily Mail has pointed out that Choudary "has been secretly taped urging his followers to raise money for Islamic fighters in Afghanistan and Iraq, saying this would help them kill the 'butchers and cowards' from the U.S. and Britain."
In March 2009, reports of Choudary's call for Britons to raise funds for the "mujahdeen" were documented by the London Times and the Daily Telegraph. According to the London Times: "At one point on the tape Choudary says: 'People [are] looking for a place for their money to go so they can go to the front line and they cant find it. You should not think to yourself 'my money, my money' . . . you have [an] opportunity to carry da'wah [the spread of Islam] to society . . . and you have money that can go towards the da'wah, you have money that can go towards the mujaheddin.' " |
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Eight dead in as missile hit northwest Pakistan |
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PESHAWAR: December 22, 2008. (AFP) Two suspected US missile strikes on a tribal area in northwest Pakistan known as a hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda activity killed at least eight militants on Monday, officials said.
The strikes were the latest on extremists in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan -- all said to have been launched by unmanned CIA aircraft -- that have raised tensions between Washington and Islamabad.
Two missiles "fired by US drones" struck the villages of Karikot and Shin Warsak in troubled South Waziristan, a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"Two vehicles fitted with guns were destroyed," the official said, adding that those killed were all inside the cars, which were camouflaged with mud and grass.
It was not immediately clear if any senior Taliban or Al-Qaeda operatives were killed in the strikes, which took place just minutes apart, he said.
Local intelligence sources said they believed the militants killed were members of local Pakistani Taliban groups.
The strikes caused huge fires in both villages, sending panicked residents running into the streets, the security official said, adding that one house was damaged.
Hundreds of Taliban fighters later gathered in the two villages -- both outside Wana, the main town in South Waziristan -- to say funeral prayers for those killed, local residents told AFP.
The suspected US strikes have continued despite a warning by Taliban militants based in tribal territory last month that any more would lead to reprisal attacks across Pakistan.
A spokesman for local Taliban commander Mullah Nazir told reporters that Nazir had pledged to seek revenge for Monday's attack "within three days".
A US missile attack late last month killed Rashid Rauf, the alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind of a 2006 transatlantic airplane bombing plot, as well as an Egyptian Al-Qaeda operative, security officials have said.
Pakistan has repeatedly protested to the United States that the strikes violate its territorial sovereignty and deepen resentment among the 160 million people of the nuclear-armed Islamic nation.
Saleh Shah, a Pakistani senator from the tribal areas, strongly condemned Monday's attacks, saying they were "counterproductive" and would not help restore peace and order in the region.
President Asif Ali Zardari recently promised zero tolerance for violations of his country's sovereignty, but some officials say there is a tacit understanding between the two militaries to allow such action.
More than two dozen similar strikes have been carried out since August, killing more than 200 people, most of them militants.
The top-ranking US military official -- Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff -- arrived in Islamabad on Monday for talks with senior Pakistani officials, officials from both sides said.
Islamabad has come under increased pressure to quash militant activity within its borders, with Washington and Kabul saying it has not done enough to stop militants crossing the border to attack US and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Pakistan rejects those accusations, pointing to its operation against militants in the semi-autonomous Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan. The military says more than 1,500 rebels have been killed there since August.
Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is widely believed to be hiding in Pakistan's rugged border region, although there is no clear information about his whereabouts.
US Vice President Dick Cheney said at the weekend that he was unsure if bin Laden -- held responsible by Washington for the September 11, 2001 attacks -- was even still alive. |
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DC Examiner: Protection of religious minorities is major theme of 2009 Human Rights Day News Conference |
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Washington DC: December 10, 2009. (Justina Uram) “DC-based human rights activists and advocates commemorated Human Rights Day 2009 |
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with a well-attended Human Rights News Conference sponsored by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (REAL) at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. ”
” ‘Not only do we recognize our declaration in support of such universal human rights, but also we remember those who have denied them, including the totalitarian and supremacist nations and ideologies of the world that seek to continue to deny such universal rights today.’ ”
“In his opening remarks, REAL founder Jeffrey Imm called for US ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the end of violence against women as priorities in defending human rights. He also focused on the human rights challenges presented by religious supremacism. ‘We really need a human rights dialogue on the challenges of religious supremacist threats to our universal human rights.’ ”
“In his presentation on the persecution of Pakistani Christians by the Muslim majority, Dr. Nazir Bhatti, of the Pakistan Christian Congress, explained that Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws allow the killing of religious minorities to go unchecked.”
” ‘Christians [in Pakistan] are in the process of genocide…The situation of human rights is worsening and persecution of Christians is at a rise in Pakistan.’ ”
“Bhatti warned that Pakistan will continue to breed terrorism unless the United States’ government puts conditions on further aid to Pakistan that include the repeal of their blasphemy laws and an amendment to Article 2 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which declares Islam as the state religion of Pakistan.”
“Following Bhatti’s presentation, Dr. Ashraf Ramelah, President of the Voice of the Copts, remarked on the oppression of Egypt’s Christians, particularly women and young girls.”
” ‘Coptic women and girls are targeted for a specific plan of forced Islamization in Egypt…the abduction of Coptic women is not just a passing phenomenon but is part of a widespread plan aimed to clean the Middle East of Christians.’ ”
“In addition to denouncing the forced conversion of Coptic women, Ramelah also called for a repeal of Article 2 of the Egyptian Constitution, which declares Islam as the state religion of Egypt.”
“Though both Bhatti and Ramelah’s remarks focused on the human rights abuses faced by religious minorities at the hand of Islam, Imm reminded the group, ‘we do not attack or condemn Islam or all Muslims, but we do challenge all human beings to recognize that we face an Islamic supremacist challenge to human rights in the world today.’ ”
“The final speaker, Lisa Tao of Falun Dafa turned the conference’s focus in a different direction. Giving a heartfelt presentation in her native language, Tao described the human rights abuses she faced as a young girl at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”
” ‘My father was tortured to death. I was called ‘a child of the Five Black Categories.’ My life was full of humiliation and I had to struggle for many years just to stay alive.’ ”
“Tao, who is now an American citizen, explained that she and her husband began practicing Falun Gong to help them heal from the torture they suffered in China. Tao’s translator, 25-year old Pang Jin, relayed the recent arrest, torture, and prolonged detainment of her mother and aunt for their adherence to Falun Gong. ”
” ‘My aunt was abducted on July 9, 2009 and has been detained since then. On October 18, I was informed that the Weifang City district court, after delaying for a year, sentenced my Mom, Cao Junping, to 10 years.’ ”
“Tao then shared numerous examples of human rights violations by the Chinese government against Falun Gong practitioners and thanked Americans for their support and willingness to hear her story. ”
” ‘I feel that these practitioners are just like my brothers and sisters…We hope Americans, who are kind and righteous, will give a hand to rescue our brothers and sisters and stop this brutal persecution.’ ”
“Clearly, the 2009 Human Rights Day News Conference provided a forum for the discussion of human rights stories and perspectives not often covered by mainstream media. For more detailed information about The Human Rights Day News Conference, please contact the author at The Human Rights Blog. ” |
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President hosts Christmas reception |
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ISLAMABAD: December 22, 2008. President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a reception in connection with Christmas here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. |
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. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was also present at the reception which was attended by members of Christian community and a large number of Islamabad-based diplomats, including the Ambassadors of United States and China.
Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro, Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza, a number of federal ministers and members of the parliament also attended the reception.
President Zardari accompanied by Bakhtawar and Assefa cut the Special Christmas cake, wished the participants Merry Christmas and intermingled with them.
The Ambassador of the Holy Sea on this occasion prayed for the peace and prosperity of the world including Pakistan. May this Christmas bring peace across the world, the Ambassador prayed.
Bishop Anthony Logo read the Christmas Message on the occasion. APP |
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Eritrea Releases Elderly Christian Women |
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Washington, D.C: December 16, 2009. International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that yesterday at 3:30 PM local time, Eritrean officials released all the Christian women they had arrested on December 5. |
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The elderly women were detained for praying together at a house in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital. Eritrean security forces raided the prayer meeting and brought them to a police station in Asmara. ICC broke the news of the arrest in a press release issued on December 7. (See: http://www.persecution.org/suffering/pressdetail.php?presscode=352)
Most of the released Christians are members of Faith Mission Church, an Evangelical Church with a Methodist background. The church has been carrying out evangelistic and development activities in Eritrea for over five decades and was forced to go underground in 2002 after Eritrean officials required all religious groups to register. The officials then allowed only three Christian denominations to register. The three registered churches are: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea.
Since 2002, officials of Eritrea have been cracking down on members of both registered and unregistered churches. They have imprisoned more than 3000 Christians keeping them in underground dungeons, mental shipping containers, and military barracks. Several Christians have died inside prisons due to torture and lack of medical attention.
One of the released women told ICC source that “we appreciate all the people who prayed for us. Please thank God for our release.”
ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho said “We welcome Eritrea’s decision to release all the women. We urge the Eritrean officials to release the more than 3000 Christians who are suffering in underground dungeons, military barracks, and metal shipping containers.” |
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Pope urges end to 'hatred and violence' in Mideast on Christmas message |
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VATICAN CITY: December 24, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI urged Thursday an end to "hatred and violence" in the Middle East during his midnight mass Christmas homily ahead of a planned trip to the region. |
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"Let us pray that peace will be established there, that hatred and violence will cease," he said in his homily, referring in particular to Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Jerusalem's Latin patriarch said on Monday that the pope would visit the Holy Land in May on his first trip to the region as pontiff.
"With joy we would like to announce to you the desire of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to visit the Holy Land as a pilgrim next May," Fuad Twal, the Catholic leader in the Holy Land, told reporters.
It was the first official confirmation of Benedict's widely mooted first trip to the region since being elected pope in 2005.
"The supreme pontiff wishes to pray with us and for us, and to acquire a first-hand knowledge of the hard conditions of our region," Twal said in his Christmas message.
"We are confident in the Lord that this pontifical pilgrimage and pastoral visit will be a blessing for all of us as well as a substantial contribution to better understanding among the various nations of the region, lifting the barriers and helping solve the problems, removing distress and consolidating good relations among people, religions and denominations," Twal said.
He did not give specific dates. "We are studying the programme with the local authorities," he said. Last week the Italian newspaper Il Foglio said the pope would travel to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories from May 8 to 15.
The head of the Catholic Church in his Christmas homily also spoke of the plight of children "who are denied the love of their parents."
"Let us think of those street children who do not have the blessing of a family home, of those children who are brutally exploited as soldiers and made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace," he said.
"Let us think of those children who are victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatised in the depths of their soul."
Late Wednesday Benedict inaugurated this year's Christmas creche, appearing at his window in the Vatican apartments to light a candle and greet the crowd in St Peter's Square.
The nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ erected in the famous piazza features figures dating from 1842.
Benedict's predecessor John Paul II paid homage to Italy's longstanding artistic tradition of manger scenes with the first of an annual series set up in St Peter's Square in 1982.
The inauguration of this year's creche was followed by a prayer vigil for peace led by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's "foreign minister".
At midday on Thursday the pope is to deliver his traditional address titled Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) to be translated in 64 languages. AFP |
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Christmas Bazaars are Joke with Christians in Punjab. Ashfaq Fateh |
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Lahore: December 19, 2009. (PCP) The Christian leaders have urged the Chief Minister of Punjab Main Shahbaz Sharief for making fun of Christians of the Punjab in their demand to organize Christmas bazaars as were organized during the month of Ramadan |
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The Christian leaders called an urgent meeting and condemned the notifications issued by the Additional Chief Secretary & Secretary Industries, Punjab who is coordinating the installation of 26 Christmas bazaars in 17 districts of the Punjab. According to the letter, 39000 bags of Atta (wheat flour) of 20 kilogram while 19500 kilogram sugar (390) bags of have been allocated. Rs. 100 subsidy is given per bag of Atta and Rs. 10 per kilogram for sugar. The total beneficiaries will be 39000+19500=58500. The government has allocated Four million ninety five thousand only for the seventeen district where over four million Christian population is living.
Ashfaq Fateh, Christian leader demanded that Christmas bazaars were demanded on the patron of Ramadan bazaars. The chief minister allocated rupees nine billion for Ramadan bazaars for one month while only four million is spent on Christians of the Punjab between Dec 22nd to 24th, 2009.
Rasheed Jalal, district President for minorities PML (N) demanded to raise Quota of Atta from 500 to 2000 bags per day and five bags of sugar to 30 bags per day in each bazaar. The subsidy on sugar and Atta must be raised. Each bag of Atta of 20 kg must be provided at Rs.200 and sugar at least on Rupees 40.
Ayub Anjum, member district Assembly, said, the district administration has asked the Christians to pay the expenses of tentage, furniture, water, security and arrange the cleanings etc. The government has to arrange all this. This is injustice.
Mr. Atif Jamil Pagaan national convener, Pakistan Minorities democratic movement said, Additional Chief Secretary of the Punjab and Roa Manzar Hayat, Secretary Industries and Khalid Hassan deputy secretary were called over the phone and demands have been faxed to them. The Punjab government has been informed if the quota and subsidy on Atta and sugar will not be increased. The Christians will be forced to boycott these bazaars. |
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Masses mourn Pakistan's Bhutto, one year on |
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GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH, Pakistan: December 27, 2008. (AFP) More than 150,000 grieving Pakistanis thronged the tomb of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, mourning their beloved leader one year after her assassination. |
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A sea of sobbing mourners, some wailing and beating their chests in a wrenching outpouring of emotion, flooded through security checkpoints into the graveyard in rural southern Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the commemoration.
Thick fog had stranded tens of thousands on the roads leading into the area early in the day, prompting authorities to delay the start of the proceedings until 4:00 pm (1100 GMT).
Bhutto, 54, was assassinated on December 27, 2007 in a gun and suicide attack at a campaign rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, just two months after returning to Pakistan from exile to vie for a third term in power.
Her shocking death threw the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic nation into chaos, sparking violence and leading to months of political turmoil that ended in September when her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, claimed the presidency.
"In the tradition of a true Bhutto, she faced certain death rather than abandon her principles or the people," Zardari said in a message to the nation to mark the anniversary.
"The tyrants and the killers have killed her but they shall never be able to kill her ideas, which drove and inspired a generation to lofty aims," he said, adding that democracy was the only way to fight militancy.
The masses travelled by train, bus, truck, car, bicycle and even on foot to mourn the charismatic, Oxford-educated Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim nation and someone hailed in the West as a face of moderation.
Some slept Friday night in the open in near-freezing temperatures.
Tariq Waseem, a 25-year-old student from southwestern Baluchistan province, walked about 400 kilometres (250 miles) over 10 days with about a dozen friends to be at Saturday's event. But unlike his friends, he walked barefoot.
"These are not painful," he told AFP, pointing with pride at blisters covering his soles. "These are a gift from my martyred leader."
Local police official Tanvir Odho said about 150,000 mourners had flocked to the area to pay their respects to Bhutto.
Ceremonies are expected to culminate with special prayers at 5:20 pm -- about the time Bhutto was attacked.
Around 7,000 police and paramilitary rangers have fanned out around the tomb to protect Zardari, who has said he too is a target for extremists like those who killed Bhutto.
"We do not rule out any threat and we have done all things possible to maintain peace," senior police official Khadim Hussain Rind told AFP.
A special wall has been erected around the mausoleum as part of a raft of precautions taken to safeguard Zardari. Closed-circuit cameras have been installed, and mourners were required to pass through metal detectors.
Both Zardari and the United Nations said they hoped a UN investigation would soon be launched into Bhutto's killing. Pakistani and US officials have pinned the blame on Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, but he denies any involvement.
One year on, Pakistan's reverence for Bhutto continues unabated -- all television networks ran wall-to-wall Bhutto coverage on Saturday and the government has issued a 10-rupee coin and stamps bearing her portrait.
Hundreds of vendors did a brisk business selling Bhutto memorabilia -- posters, photographs and recordings of her speeches -- ahead of the ceremony.
The government has declared Saturday a national holiday in Bhutto's honour, and events were scheduled nationwide. Candlelight vigils were held late Friday in Rawalpindi and the southern port city of Karachi.
Mohammed Amin, a labourer from Pakistani Kashmir, said he had come to Bhutto's grave without fear, despite threats of violence.
"My leader died in an act of terror, and so if I am killed in a similar act, it will be an honour for me to join my leader," he told AFP. |
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70 Percent of Humanity Lives in Countries with High Religious Restrictions -- 70 Percent of Those Countries are OIC Nations |
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Washington DC; December 21, 2009. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Communist and OIC nations are majority of those nations denying human religious freedom in the world. |
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Pew Global Poll: "nearly 70 percent of the world's 6.8 billion people live in countries with high restrictions on religion, the brunt of which often falls on religious minorities."
Pew Global Poll Results - Worst Nations for Religious Freedom
Pew Poll - Very High
Top 5% of scores
Saudi Arabia - OIC Nation
Iran - OIC Nation
Uzbekistan - OIC Nation
China - Communist
Egypt - OIC Nation
Burma (Myanmar)
Maldives - OIC Nation
Eritrea
Malaysia - OIC Nation
Brunei - OIC Nation
Pew Poll - High
Next 15% of scores
Indonesia - OIC Nation
Mauritania - OIC Nation
Pakistan - OIC Nation
Turkey - OIC Nation
Vietnam - Communist Nation
Algeria - OIC Nation
Belarus
Russia
Turkmenistan - OIC Nation
Libya - OIC Nation
Sudan - OIC Nation
Tajikistan - OIC Nation
Jordan - OIC Nation
Afghanistan - OIC Nation
Morocco - OIC Nation
Laos - Communist
Syria - OIC Nation
India
Tunisia - OIC Nation
Azerbaijan - OIC Nation
Kuwait - OIC Nation
Kazakhstan - OIC Nation
Yemen - OIC Nation
Iraq - OIC Nation
Western Sahara
Bulgaria
Singapore
Moldova
Greece
Israel
Cuba - Communist Nation
Oman - OIC Nation
Somalia* - OIC Nation
Out of 43 Nations Ranked "Very High" and "High" in Terms of Deny Religious Freedom - 30 were OIC nations -- 70 percent of the Very High and High Nations Ranked is denying religious freedom - being OIC nations
Saudi Arabia - OIC Nation
Iran - OIC Nation
Uzbekistan - OIC Nation
Egypt - OIC Nation
Maldives - OIC Nation
Malaysia - OIC Nation
Brunei - OIC Nation
Indonesia - OIC Nation
Mauritania - OIC Nation
Pakistan - OIC Nation
Turkey - OIC Nation
Algeria - OIC Nation
Turkmenistan - OIC Nation
Libya - OIC Nation
Sudan - OIC Nation
Tajikistan - OIC Nation
Jordan - OIC Nation
Afghanistan - OIC Nation
Morocco - OIC Nation
Laos - Communist
Syria - OIC Nation
Tunisia - OIC Nation
Azerbaijan - OIC Nation
Kuwait - OIC Nation
Kazakhstan - OIC Nation
Yemen - OIC Nation
Iraq - OIC Nation
Oman - OIC Nation
Somalia* - OIC Nation |
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Pope Benedict condemns Gaza violence |
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Vatican City: December 28, 2008. With a second straight day of violence in the Gaza Strip, Pope Benedict XVI joined many from the world community, sounding off on the conflict. |
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He gave his strong opinion on the violence, asking the international community to join in trying to help the Israelis and Palestinians reach a peaceful end.
Pope Benedict XVI issued this statement from the Vatican:
"I implore the end of this violence, which is to be condemned in every way in all its manifestations. I implore the re-establishment of the ceasefire in the Gaza strip. I ask for a strong sign of humanity and wisdom from all those who have responsibilities at all levels in that situation. I ask the international community to try every possible way to help Israelis and Palestinians to come out from the dead-end street and to not give up." |
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Christmas celebrations in Pakistan underway with Carol Concerts and Protests |
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Rawalpindi: December 22, 2009. (PCP) 20 million Pakistani Christian in Islamic Republic of Pakistan have started celebrations of Christmas with Carol Singing competitions and Protests to repeal blasphemy law. |
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There is wave of fear among Christian after text messages on hundreds of cell phones with warning of attacks by Islamic militants during feast of Christmas but Christian Colonies are being decorated with lightings and indoor Christmas Trees.
In city of Rawalpindi, on December 21, 2009, a Christian Youth Group led by Mr. Nadeem Joseph and Mr. Imitaz John organized a Christmas program for the children of the "Sacred Heart Church" located in Westridge area with Prayer and Praise.
Mr. Nadeem hosted the program, he told participant that this program is arranged every year for the encouragement and support of the children who are unprivileged so that they can also enjoy and understand the meaning of Christmas.
Many young singers and choirs from different Churches of Rawalpindi were invited. They performed and entertained the crowd.
The Children performed a Christmas Play, then showed different talents while Christmas Message was given by Father Desmond Elijah.
The Christmas cake was cut for the children, then they received gifts from the Father Desmond. In the end Mr. Imtiaz John thanked every who came to attend the program and also appreciated the support of "Pakistan Christian Congress" and thanked Mr. Xavier William for his presence.
Meanwhile, in other part of Rawalpindi, Pakistan Christian Congress council members Mehboob Alam, Saqib Adeel, Zeeshan William and Suleman William led the protest against the Government of Pakistan in conjunction with the UK protest organized by British Asian Pakistani Association and led by Wilson Chowdhry on 19th December 2009.
The Protest start at 1.00 PM from Sadiqabad, near Holy Family Hospital where Father Anwer Patras and many other joined and chanted slogans against the Government for immediately repelling the Blasphemy law and give justice to the victims of the Gojra incident.
Father Anwer Patras addressing the protest stressed that the Christians should unite and stand against the Government. The Government immediately should repeal the Blasphemy law by an executive order, equal rights should be given to the Christians and the victims of Gojra should get justice. Mehboob Alam and Saqib Adeel also addressed the participants and demanded to be treated equally.
In the end Mehboob Alam thanked the participants for attending the protest and said that President of Pakistan Christian Congress Dr. Nazir S. Bhatti is the true voice of the 20 Million Christians. He also said that the PCC is growing in the Rawalpindi District under the leadership of Xavier William the PCC Joint Sectary. The procession walked all the way to the Murree road and then dispersed peacefully.
There were mixed mute celebrations of Christmas celebrations in other cities of Pakistan, |
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Need for sobriety, solidarity: message of Pope Benedict |
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Vatican City: December 31, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI has called for "sobriety and solidarity" in 2009 as the world struggles with economic and social woes |
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His appeal was made amid the splendour of St Peter's Basilica during a New Year's Eve vespers service.
Pope Benedict described these times as being "marked by uncertainty and worry for the future" but told the faithful not to be afraid.
He urged governments to help families in difficulty and said Catholic charities were doing as much as possible to help out.
A choir sang during the service, attended by cardinals, other clergy, pilgrims and tourists |
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Prayers, Blessings and Greetings on Christmas for Pakistani Christians. Inderias Bhatti |
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Lahore: December 25, 2009. (PCP) Inderias Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian congress Lahore Council, released his Christmas message to the members and Christian friends of the congress. |
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Along with prayers, blessings, greetings and well wishes he wrote the following words as per of his massage.
The Christmas has variations about:
Its time;
Its traditions;
Its leaders
Its preaching;
Its linkage;
With paganism;
And many more;
These may be doubts and/or conspiracies;
But its is a time;
When Gods passion;
Became flash;
Lived with us on Earth;
In Love of God;
He shared Love;
Unconditionally;
And inclusively;
To the broken;
Isolated;
Deprived;
Social excludes;
And built a religiosity;
Of physical togetherness;
Based on LOVE;
And not guilt and feeling of sinfulness;
And thus brought;
A living passion on earth;
A spirit of Christmas;
And left behind;
His spirit to us;
To hold it firmly;
And to move on with it;
Being beyond from any;
Doubts and conspiracies!!!
May God continue to bless you, your families, our country and our planet with all the worldly and divine sanctions!!!
Meanwhile, Secretary General of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC, Mr. Morris Sadiq, Ms. Agnes Massey President of Canada PCC, Xavier William Joint Secretary PCC and many other regional offices of PCC issued greeting messages on Christmas 2009 and wished happy New Year to Christians in Pakistan. |
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American Pakistani Christians condemn statements of Pakistani ambassador in USA; Nazir S Bhatti |
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Philadelphia: December 31, 2008. Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC has strongly condemned statement of Pakistani ambassador in USA that Christians are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan. |
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In a New Year dinner to American Pakistani Christians hosted by Pakistani ambassador who was extremist Muslim and member of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan turned to be moderate Muslim made statement that Christians are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti said It is shameful for American Pakistani Christians to attend dinner of Pakistani ambassador because these Christians were asylum seekers in USA against persecution on religion in Pakistan
If Samuel Mall and Anjum Bhatti who made statements on dinner of Pakistan Embassy in USA on New Year think that Christians have equal rights in Pakistan then they must abandon their asylum and go back to Pakistan added Nazir Bhatti
People like Samuel Mall and Anjum Bhatti are agents of Pakistani establishment who were granted asylum but they are supposed to go back to Pakistan when they laud minority rights in Pakistan in presence of Pakistani ambassador.
Pakistani Christians are treated as second-class citizens and blasphemy laws are hanging like sword on their necks.
The Christian women are abducted and forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan. The Christian youth is denied equal right in job opportunity.
Nazir Bhatti said PCC demands US Justice Department to review cases of American Pakistani Christians who were granted asylum in USA on their persecution in Pakistan but now they declare that Christians have equal rights in Pakistan and enjoying religious freedom. Such asylum seekers must go back to Pakistan because they claim that there is no more persecution in Pakistan
Nazir Bhatti said that few Christians who were low profile leaders in Pakistan like Samuel Mall and Anjum Bhatti are damaging cause of Christians and performing duty of agents of Pakistani embassy and their statements are not true index of situation of Christians in Pakistan.
Christians in Pakistan are being persecuted and there is no social justice in Muslim dominated society in Pakistan
PCC condemn statement of Pakistani ambassador that Christians are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan because Christians are suffering genocide in Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti said PCC will file memorandum with UNO to grant refugee status to Christian on constitutional genocide of Christians in Pakistan |
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Pope carries on after attack |
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VATICAN CITY: December 26, 2009. (AFP) Pope Benedict XVI, bundled to the ground by a woman who surged past guards to assault him during Christmas Eve mass at the Vatican, carried on with his heavy seasonal duties as normal Saturday. |
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The pope was unhurt in the dramatic attack in St Peter's Basilica, while a prominent French cardinal was among others who fell in the confusion and will receive a hip replacement Sunday morning, a Vatican spokesman said.
The Pope appeared serene as he waved from his balcony above St Peter's Square to pilgrims assembled in the rain for Saturday's Angelus prayer.
The night before Benedict had spoken confidently in his Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to tens of thousands of pilgrims, and in his homily Saturday he again made no mention of the attack.
Benedict appealed for prayer to support the "many believers who, in many parts of the world, endure tests and suffering because of their faith".
The assailant, identified as 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo who has Swiss-Italian nationality, told doctors she "did not want to hurt" the pope, La Repubblica newspaper reported.
The Vatican said the woman tried a similar manoeuvre at the Christmas Eve mass one year ago but was stopped by security.
Maiolo's case will be decided on by the Vatican "in the following days" according to spokesman Federico Lombardi, as they wait for medical reports from the psychiatric hospital where the woman has been placed.
Lombardi said that "the matter is more to cure her" than to judge her.
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, 87, was receiving visitors Friday at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, Lombardi said, describing him as well "both physically and mentally" and "optimistic about the operation".
He is facing the situation "with his usual courage and optimism", Lombardi said, pointing out that the cardinal had recently returned to his functions after a health problem and "not long ago" came back from a trip to Vietnam. |
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Pope says economic crisis needs more than quick fix |
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VATICAN CITY: January 1, 2009. Pope Benedict ushered in the New Year on Thursday by appealing for solidarity worldwide to fight global poverty made worse by the financial crisis. |
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The Pontiff, delivering a traditional New Year prayer for peace, said the economic downturn needed more than quick fixes and should be regarded as an opportunity to narrow the gap between the haves and the have nots.
"This crisis needs to be looked at in depth, as a grave symptom that requires intervention on its causes," the Pope told crowds gathered in a rainy St. Peter's Square.
"It is not enough -- as Jesus would say -- to put a few new patches on an old garment," the Pope said, adding that the world's poor and their needs must become a priority.
In recent months, the German-born Benedict has sharply criticized the global financial system, branding it as self-centred, short-sighted and lacking in concern for the destitute.
"The current global economic crisis must also be viewed as a test: are we ready to look at it, in all its complexity, as a challenge for the future and not just as an emergency that needs short-lived responses?" the Pope said.
"Are we prepared for a deep revision of the dominant development model to correct it in a concerted and far-sighted fashion?
"The state of the planet's environment and above all the cultural and moral crisis ... are demanding this, even more than the immediate financial problems," he added.
During mass at the Basilica, Benedict reiterated his appeal for an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, saying that violence was also a form of poverty and that a large majority of Israelis and Palestinians wanted peace. |
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Security Heightened After Attack On Pope |
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Rome: December 28, 2009. Security is tighter around Pope Benedict in the aftermath of an attack on the Pontiff during Christmas Eve Mass. |
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He appeared to be in good shape as he visited a soup kitchen in Rome on Sunday.
The Pope ate with 150 people, including a Muslim political refugee and a 90-year-old Italian widower.
On Christmas Eve, a woman lunged at Pope Benedict, dragging him down as she was quickly tackled by security agents.
Vatican officials say they will consider security measures, but don't want to do anything to keep the Pope from being in touch with crowds. |
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Yemeni Jews forced to leave their villages |
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Sana'a: January 5, 2009. The Yemeni Jewish community in Raida, north of the country, will move to the capital Sana'a after receiving death threats from tribal and religious extremists, |
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Jews and local official sources said on Friday.The whole Jewish community, which has 266 people, will move tomorrow from the town of Raida in Amran province, to a governmental residential complex in the city of Sana'a, the sources said. "The Jews were given an ultimatum till tomorrow to leave or convert to Islam from the relatives of Abdul Aziz Al Abdi, who is being tried for charges of murdering Mousa Yaish - a Jew - last December in Raida," said Yahya Mousa, the Rabbi of the Jews living in Sana'a. "Two days is not enough for packing everything, but they cannot stay any longer because officials and tribal chiefs have told them to leave by tomorrow," said Mousa. The Rabbi said the Jews do not want to leave their houses, but they are afraid for their lives especially after the government told them to move for their own security.Small communities"In the threats, they asked us to stop the Israeli air strikes on Gaza, yet we are Yemeni citizens and we strongly condemn the attacks," said the Rabbi. Rabbi Yahya Mousa has been living in a government residential complex in Sana'a along with 66 other Jews since early 2006 when Al Houthi rebels forced them to leave their villages in Al Salem in Sa'ada province. The 332 people, the two small Jewish communities of Raida and Al Salem, are the only Jews remaining in Yemen after tens of thousands migrated to Israel.About 50,000 Yemeni Jews immigrated to Israel during 1949-1950 in the so-called 'flying carpet' trips.The relatives of Al Abdi, who said he killed the Jew last December to get closer to Allah, also sent murder threats to local journalists in Amran for reporting about the hearings of the trial."I received murder threats from relatives of Abdul Aziz Al Abdi, they do not want me to write about the murder, they do not want me to write about the trials," said journalist Mahoud Taha. |
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Christian employees face police case and torture by TMA on Christmas Day in Pakistan. |
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Pakpattan: December 29, 2009. (PCP) A Muslim Sanitary Inspector of Tehsil Municipal Administration TMA was beating and openly manhandling Christian Sanitary workers in broad daylight |
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on streets of Pakpattan city of Punjab province who were insisting to go for prayers on 25th December, the Day of Christmas in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
When poor Christian employees of TMA reached to lodge complain on inhuman behavior and beating of Sanitary Inspector Mohammad Attique Butt, DCO Pakpattan ordered police to register case against Christians.
The Punjab Government and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had proudly announced holiday for Christian employees for December 25 and 26, a two day leave with pay for thousands of Christian employees to celebrate Christmas.
The Tehsil Municipal Officer Pakpattan Mohammad Aslam Gujar and Sanitary Inspector Mohammad Attique Butt forced Christian employees to clean roads of Pakpattan city instead of going for prayers on Christmas Day defying orders of Christmas Holidays announced by Chief Minister of Punjab Government.
When All Christian Communities Alliance ACCA President Javeed Sahotra, Secretary General Nadeem Hamid Gill along with other leaders Khalid Nazir and Sabar Masih intervened in matter to get relief for Christian employees, the TMO Mohammad Aslam Gujar refused to listen their plea and denied Christians to offer their Christmas prayers.
The poor Christian Sanitary workers started cleaning streets and roads on Christmas Day and were crying with tears Listen to our Voice Masihia Free us from slavery Why it is Black Christmas for us
The All Christian Community Alliance ACCA team started video recording of crying Christians who were cleaning streets and weeping but Sanitary Inspector Attique Butt called other Muslims and snatched camera and took out cassette and threatened ACCA team of dire consequences.
The DCO instead of listening to Christian employees directed police to register case against Christian employees and 5 other Christians. In FIR number 908/2009, under section 186 and 427 Pakistan Penal Code registered in Pakpattan City Police Station have charged ACCA leaders Sarfraz Masih, Nadeem Hameed, Sunny Barkat, Rawal Barkat and Hamed Masih while Christian employees Daniel Masih, Saleem Masih, Sarfraz Masih and others have been charged.
Mr. Javeed Sahotra Advocate, President of ACCA have strongly condemned torture of Christian employees and enforced working on official Christmas holidays.
He appealed to Chief Minister of Punjab to take action and cancel FIR against innocent poor Christian employees.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC expressed grave concern on broad day light beating by Muslim Sanitary Inspector and treating Christian employees like bonded labour on Christmas Day.
Listen voice of voiceless Christians in Pakistan being treated like slaves by Muslims in every walk of life that we are human beings not animals, stop oppression and persecution and give us due equal rights until it is too late said Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatt said Christians of Pakistan were demanding FIR against Muslim Attackers of Kalar Kahar on injuring 65 Christians on Christmas day but not any FIR was lodged while in Pakpattan Christians were beaten and charged in FIR by Muslims.
Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of PCC urged Chief Minister of Punjab to withdraw false FIR against Christians and take immediate action against Mohammad Attique Butt and TNO Mohammad Aslam Gujar of Pakpattan TMA. |
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Pope calls for Gaza peace talks, deplores violence in Congo |
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VATICAN CITY: January 7, 2009. (CNS) As fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, Pope Benedict XVI urged Israelis and Palestinians to end the violent, armed clashes and start peace talks. |
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"Hatred and the rejection of dialogue bring nothing but war," he said after reciting the Angelus Jan. 6 with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
"Today I would like to encourage the initiatives and efforts of all those who, having a heart of peace, are trying to help Israelis and Palestinians agree to sit down together and talk," he said.
He prayed God would help sustain the dedicated efforts of these "courageous builders of peace."
The pope also appealed for an end to the "inhumane brutality" unfolding in eastern Congo where some 20 children were abducted over the Christmas period by armed bandits who launched attacks against villages, leaving many people dead or injured.
Caritas Congo reported Dec. 29 that the children were abducted as child soldiers for the Lord's Resistance Army -- a Ugandan rebel group. Caritas Congo is the local affiliate of the international Catholic umbrella group Caritas Internationalis.
Caritas said violence in the region flared in late December leaving hundreds of people dead. It said 50 bodies were found in the courtyard of a Catholic church in Doruma on Christmas morning.
The pope urged those responsible for such "inhumane brutality to give the (kidnapped) children back to their families" so that the future of these young people may be safe and fruitful.
The pope made the appeals on the feast of the Epiphany, which is a national holiday in Italy and is largely dedicated to children.
He said he was praying for the world's children, especially those experiencing a troubled childhood.
The violence against children worldwide "appears even more appalling considering that 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child," he said.
He called on world leaders to renew their promises to defend, safeguard and foster the development of the world's children.
Pope Benedict noted that the Epiphany was dedicated to the Holy Childhood Association, a children-supported missionary organization that works in more than 100 countries. He thanked young people for their support of works that are designed to aid the world's needy. |
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Bishop Ijaz Inayat on New Years Resolutions 2010 for Christians in Pakistan |
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Karachi: December 31, 2009. (PCP) In a message Bishop Ijaz Inayat, wishes Happy New Year to Christians in Pakistan and adding |
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Assuming that we are all Christians the beginning of the New Year is an indication that another year has gone by and we are still alive. This is calculation of time given to each one of us
PCP presents contents of message by Honourable Bishop Ijaz Inayat for readers as:
Need to know each one of us has a task to accomplish within the time given. To live, work for earning, raising children and die is a life cycle which would end one day.
Towards the end of the year I raised a very vital question, Define need, greed and wishes in relationship with the Lord which further leads us to revisit our relationship with the Lord and people around us who are Gods people and our own.
Most of us have been living for ourselves and our families which are good to a certain extent, but there are duties and responsibilities beyond that.
Most of the world does not feel accountable beyond a limit of their own choice.
There are three main areas which need our immediate attention from accountability point of view.
1. Personal and family life.
2. Spiritual life.
3. Social life. This does not limit to the nearest/immediate society around us.
Remember God is giver of all things life, time and resources. Trusting this we are accountable to the Lord for all three of them because we are stewards. Also remember time and life if gone never come back and we cannot buy these with any wealth of the world.
There are three accountability courts we have to face at all times.
1. The court of our own conscious where we are answerable for all we do no matter we know it or not. An alive conscious is the lamp of the Lord. There fore learn every thing about our role in all walks of life from the Word of God, from wise persons and the law.
2. The second court we always face is that of the society around us. Since the world is a global village, now we have/or must get knowledge about the geo-political and economic issues which directly effect mankind. There are forces which exploit conditions for benefits. These forces include Governments, alliances, lobbies (even with in churches) which abuse for the sake of power and resources, underground groups who try to benefit from all places against merit and so on.
Over eating, remain relaxed as a bystander where you voice could bring about a change are such vital poisons we often dont consider.
We have a role towards all these concerns. Thinking our selves responsible and acting accordingly will defiantly change the world into a better place and our own lives. We cannot neglect the duties towards other even if we are living in a much settled and developed part of the world.
3. The third and most high is the Court of our Lord. That is where our thoughts, word and deeds are evaluated on daily basis, while we also will be facing the last Day of Judgment.
My personal assessment is that if every person feels accountable in all the three daily courts, we may have a bright future for all people living in the world specially the suffering world of Christians in Pakistan.
The resolution for this New Year for many would be to allow Jesus to take the driving seat in our lives, taking Him as our role model and master who was suffering at the hunger and sickness of the people around Him and wanted to heal the mankind as a whole, spiritually and physically.
Wishing you all with a blessed "New Year" with Jesus in the driving seat for the rest of the lives.
New Year celebrations started a few moments ago in Sydney. |
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PCC vows to file petition with UNO to grant refugee status to Pakistani Christians. Nazir Bhatti |
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Philadelphia: January 7, 2009. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC vowed to file memorandum with Secretary General of United Nation New York offices on January 12, 2008, |
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to grant Pakistani Christians a refugee status after polls on PCP when more them sixty two thousand voted to file this petition.
I condemn Pakistani establishment to use its machinery to vote against issue and raised negative votes up to sixty nine thousands within two nights which have been recorded by our web commands said Nazir Bhatti
Dr. Bhatti added I congratulate thousands of Christians who voted in favor of PCP polls which are ever biggest vote on any website around world on any polling
Christians are being persecuted and under constitutional genocide and reserve right of refugee status under UNO charter.
The government of Pakistan failed to oblige equal basic democratic rights to Christians and ensure justice to minorities.
Thousands of Christians have fled from Swat valley after taking over by Taliban and more are fleeing Peshawar and Nowshera districts of NWFP on threats to convert to Islam.
Nazir Bhatti said that in such mass movement of Christians on life threats by Taliban and failure of government to protection, the Christians deserve refugee status. |
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Malaysian Muslim activists oppose 'Allah' ruling |
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KUALA LUMPUR: January 2, 2010. (AFP) Muslim groups in Malaysia have voiced opposition to a court ruling allowing a Catholic paper the right to use the word "Allah", and said Saturday they plan to demonstrate. |
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Malaysia's high court ruled Thursday that the Herald weekly had the right to use the word "Allah" after a long-running dispute between the government and the paper in the Muslim-majority nation.
The Herald has been using the word "Allah" as a translation for "God" in its Malay-language section, but the government argued "Allah" should be used only by Muslims.
The court ruled the Catholic paper had the "constitutional right" to use the word 'Allah', declaring the government's ban on the word "illegal, null and void". Government lawyers have not yet decided whether to appeal.
Muslim groups have opposed the ruling.
"The court decision is not right and we are planning to hold a major demonstration to protest this," Syed Hassan Syed Ali, secretary general of Malay rights group Pribumi Perkasa told AFP.
He and 50 other Malay activists held a small protest over the ruling outside a central mosque Friday.
"We fear that the court victory will mean that Christian missionaries will now use the word, confusing (the identity of) Muslims and undermining religious harmony," he said.
Federation of Malay Students' Association advisor Reezal Merican said although the court decision had to be respected, the government needed to appeal it.
"We want to live in peace with all religions here but the word Allah has traditionally in Malaysia been used to represent the Muslim God, which is different from Christianity, and this must be addressed," he told AFP.
Northern Perak state mufti Harussani Zakaria was also critical of the verdict, calling it "an insult to Muslims in this country," according to the influential Malay-language Utusan Malaysia newspaper.
The Herald is printed in four languages, with a circulation of 14,000 copies a week in a country with about 850,000 Catholics.
The court case was among a string of religious disputes that have erupted in recent years, straining relations between Muslim Malays and minority ethnic Chinese and Indians who fear the country is being "Islamised". |
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Israel-Palestine conflict: Islamists attack two Churches in Karachi |
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KARACHI: January 8, 2009. (ANS) Islamist fundamentalists in Pakistani city of Karachi in province Sindh attacked two churches on the eve of New Year. |
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Unidentified militants forcibly entered in Christ Awami Church located in Rasool Shah Colony on New Year night. They threatened the congregants to stop worshipping in the Church. When some Christian worshippers put up resistance the militants desecrated Holy Bibles, cross and hymn books besides smashing windows and door of the church.
Islamists also attacked a protestant church in Zia colony in Karachi. They broke churchs door and windows besides throwing garbage in the Church.
Local Christians told ANS that the attitude of the police officials of Boat Basin police station was callous and indifferent in the wake of attack on the Christ Awami Church.
Reacting to the apathetic attitude of the police the outraged Christians protested on Clifton road and dispersed peacefully after the police high-ups assured them stern action against the culprits.
Police lodged First Information Report on Jan. 2, a day after the occurrence. Police, ANS learnt have been lenient in imposing sections in the police information report.
Most of Pakistani based electronic media organizations came to cover the incident but they did not run the story. Three Pakistani based Urdu newspapers including Ummat, Daily Express and Victoria however covered the story.
Talking to ANS by phone former member of provincial assembly, Sindh, Michael Javaid said that he visited churches that came under attack in Rasool Shah Colony and in Zia colony.
He expressed solidarity with Pastors of the churches including Pastor Robi and Pastor Munir Bhatti.
Asked why the churches were attacked the former MP said it could be due to Muslim reaction over Palestine-Israel conflict
He criticized the police for not lodging a sterner blasphemy case against the culprits.
Christian residents of Karachi are going to stage a protest demonstration in front of Karachi Press Club at 3 pm on Monday. |
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Seven Egyptian Christians Sentenced to Prison |
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Egypt: January 5, 2010 (Mary Abdelmassih AINA) Seven Coptic Christians, including two priests, were sentenced to prison for allegedly being involved in a brawl in connection with a dispute over the purchase of a property by the Coptic Orthodox |
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Bishopric of Delga and Deir Mawas, 270 KM from Cairo. The Misdemeanor Court in Mallawi upheld a verdict passed by the First Instance Court in April, 2007. The Rev. Maximos Talat and Rev. Bolah Nassif - priest of St. George's Church were sentence to one week in prison and fined 200 Egyptian Pounds, "based on claims made by the 'aggressors' and without any legal basis," according to the their lawyer, Amgad Lamei.
In 2007 an adjacent property was legally acquired by the Bishopric from the Selim family. The dispute ensued after another neighbor, the Shaker family, said they have "right of first refusal" as they are cousins of the Selims, and subsequently occupied the property. The Bishopric obtained an eviction order from the Attorney General.
Attorney Amgad Lamei, who is also sentenced to prison, told Freecopts that during the execution of the eviction order on 4/15/2007, the Shaker family assaulted the party accompanying the two priests, in the presence of the police. "When I saw the brawl, I left the place with the priests and went to the police station to file a report about the incident," said Mr. Lamei. "We went at 14:00 to report the matter to the police, and found out at 17:00 that we had been accused." He expressed his surprise and disappointment at the verdict. He plans to take case to the Court of Cassation, but that will not stop the prison sentence.
There has been an escalation in the imprisonment of clergy. In October 2008 an Egyptian court sentenced Coptic priest Father Mettaos Wahba to five years hard labor. He was falsely accused of aiding a young Muslim woman in getting an ID card that had falsely indicated her religion as Christian, thus enabling her to marry a Christian man and flee Egypt. |
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Militants attack Pakistan forces, 40 rebels killed: military |
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PESHAWAR: January 11, 2009. (AFP) Hundreds of foreign militants attacked Pakistani forces near the border with Afghanistan, sparking clashes that left six soldiers and 40 militants dead, the military said Sunday. |
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The fierce fighting began late Saturday and continued early Sunday in the lawless Mohmand tribal area in northwest Pakistan, a known Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold, the military said in a statement.
The cross-border attack was the biggest in recent months against Pakistan's security forces, who are battling to flush out militants in several areas of the country's restive northwest.
The rugged border area is a key battleground in the US-led "war on terror", with extremists operating on both sides and using "safe havens" in Pakistan from which they are said to launch attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan.
Most of the insurgents came from the Afghan side of the border and were joined by local Taliban fighters. The combined force of about 600 militants then attacked a Pakistani paramilitary Frontier Corps base near the border.
The militants, armed with mortars, rocket launchers and grenades, attacked the fort at Mamad Gate -- where members of Pakistan's elite Quick Reaction Force were stationed -- from several directions, officials and witnesses told AFP.
"Frontier Corps troops repulsed a massive attack by militants on one of its locations in the area," the military said in a statement, adding that "severe fighting continued through the night".
Residents told AFP the bodies of militants were left on the ground in the area.
Seven soldiers were wounded in the gun battles, the military said, adding that paramilitary troops "inflicted heavy casualties" on the militants, without giving a toll for the enemy wounded.
Most of the attackers fled under heavy military fire, a security official told AFP. Some of the fighters surrendered, a military spokesman said later, without giving a specific figure.
Sporadic gun battles continued for a few hours early Sunday, the military said. Residents saw helicopters overhead but officials did not say if they had attacked rebel positions.
Security forces sealed all roads in the area and also in the neighbouring Bajaur tribal area, where the military is also battling militants, residents said.
Islamabad and Kabul have been unable to rein in the extremists that have been holed up in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas since they fled Afghanistan after the US-led invasion that drove out the Taliban government in late 2001.
Last week, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said during a visit to Kabul by his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari the two countries had a "new relationship" and determination to defeat terrorism and extremism together.
Karzai had previously accused Islamabad of not doing enough to shut down militant "sanctuaries" in the tribal badlands and stop insurgents from crossing into Afghanistan.
Pakistan rejected those accusations, pointing to its operation in Bajaur, which borders Mohmand and Afghanistan. The military says more than 1,500 rebels have been killed there since August.
Pakistan late last month mounted a major offensive in the Khyber tribal area south of Mohmand to clear militants from the area along a key highway used by trucks ferrying supplies to NATO and US-led troops in Afghanistan.
The highway has since been reopened during daytime hours.
In another troubled tribal area, South Waziristan, masked gunmen abducted a senior local government official early Sunday, police said. The identity of the kidnappers was not immediately clear. |
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Christians in Pakistan will press for demand to repeal blasphemy law |
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Karachi: January 6, 2010. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC said that we will never withdraw from demand to repeal blasphemy |
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law nor will allow any Christian tool of government to hatch conspiracy to sabotage campaign against implementation of Islamic laws on religious minorities in Pakistan.
In a telephonic address to leaders and members of Central Council of PCC, Nazir Bhatti urged to expedite movement to repeal blasphemy law and to finalize lawsuit filing in Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge this controversial black law.
Ultimate solution to our issues depends in our unity and successful movement which is being damaged by some anti Christian unity lobby attempts to highjack our campaign by substandard presentations in UNHRC and EU to credit Black Day observed by 20 million Pakistani Christians on call of PCC on August 11, 2009 said Dr. Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatti said that PCC have confirm belief that Supreme Court of Pakistan will ensure justice for Christians in Pakistan and filing of lawsuit to repeal blasphemy law will result to end violence against Christians.
The government of Pakistan announced to hold a meeting to finalize draft bill to amend blasphemy law on January 2010, in Islamabad and Pakistan Christian Congress is watching very closely on proceeding of this event.
It is impression among Christians in Pakistan that January 10, 2010, moot of government officials and minority parliamentarians will fail on reaching any consensus like previous held in October 2009.
The PPP, PML(N) and MQM selected Christian, Hindu and Ahmedi members in National Assembly and four provincial assemblies want procedural amendment in blasphemy law while PML(Q) stresses on repeal of blasphemy law.
PCC have also rejected any procedural amendment in blasphemy law and demanded repeal of law because Musharraf regime also announced amendments but incidents of Bahminwala, Korian and Gojra happened on pretext to blasphemy law. |
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My response to one propaganda letter against me: Nazir S Bhatti |
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I regret for late reply to one propaganda letter circulated against me by one of our respectable educationists from Karachi. (I am not presenting that letter because same is circulated by E-Mails to thousands) |
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I was preparing memorandum for submission to Secretary General of United Nations to grant refugee status to oppressed Pakistani Christian nation which caused delay to respond to my readers of Pakistan Christian Post.
I was surprised to read that letter which was clear index of denial to facts because all actions on different political and social issues initiated by Martyr Bishop John Joseph were put in bag of Shahbaz Bhatti who never led any protest against inclusion of religion column in national identity card nor he was arrested during any campaign against discriminatory laws. Can any one present media report or FIR registered against him in any police station of Pakistan? Is there any evidence that Shahbaz Bhatti filed any lawsuit in any Higher Court of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws? Did he raise voice against blasphemy law on floor of house or being federal minister announced to repeal such discriminatory laws? There is complete silence on major issues by Shahbaz Bhatti and Pakistan Peoples Party government!!!
There are many press conferences and seminars in five star hotels of Lahore and Islamabad in lot of Shahbaz Bhatti where he made statements to ensure justice and equal democratic rights for poor Christians. Did any participant or my brother who wrote me letter, ever enquired from Shahbaz Bhatti that who is funding such expensive functions? These questions are still un-answered and need clarifications!!!
It is also argued that Shahbaz Bhatti have compelled government to increase reserved seats for minorities in Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies but it is still an announcement without any notification while no one knows weather Muslim feudal lords of PPP and PML shall endorse such addition. If they do such legislation it will benefit Muslim political parties to select Christian and Hindus of their own choice to impose on minorities. Why so? It is also interesting part of ill-fated oppressed Christian nation that their so called leaders like Shahbaz Bhatti demanded Joint Electorate, the system which enables Muslim group to select Christian representation for assemblies and snatches rights to elect their leaders by their votes.
There is roar of Quota system also among some Christians but keep close eye and believe when first Christian student enters in medical college or engineering college in Pakistan or gets job in grade sixteen. This quota system announcement is not achievement of Shahbaz Bhatti also because PML announced it in Punjab province first than federal government.
I doubt that writer of letter is not based in Karachi or have very little knowledge about Christian socio-political struggle. I spare him because he is an educationist and might have never dared to participate in any social action of Christians of Sindh. It is also draw back of Pakistani Christian nation that those who become successful in any class of life start drawing distance from poor community and it can be character of my letter writer for which I shall excuse him.
I never wrote about my struggle for Christian nation nor I tried to tell my friends here but still any one can read about me in my book Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation which is available as E-Book on Website of Pakistan Christian Post and Pakistan Christian Congress.
But, I must convey a message to all my friends that Christian settled abroad are performing precious services by raising voice for oppressed and persecuted Pakistani Christian. The busy and hard life style of Western society have forced many to forget their own families but those who dare to protest and express concern for their nation in Pakistan must not be under-estimated or doubted by any self styled critic or supporter of any Muslim political group. I cannot forget feeling of satisfaction after reading news items of protest procession on blasphemy laws by British Pakistan Christians. Sometimes, I expected more quick actions on incidents of victimization of Christians by Western Pakistani Christians but after exile I admit that they did tremendous service.
I am proud to be a worker of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC because it never bargained on principals. PCC was only political party from Sindh to protest against inclusion of religion column in national identity card at Regal Chowk Karachi when 32 PCC activists were arrested and locked up in Preedy Police Station. The PCC filed lawsuit to repeal blasphemy laws in Lahore High Court and staged numerous hunger strikes against discriminatory laws. PCC filed lawsuit in Lahore High Court to make public the report of tribunal constituted to investigate incident of Shanti Nagar. PCC filed lawsuit in Federal Shariat Court Islamabad to review judgment-awarding death sentence on blasphemy laws. The proceedings of all these lawsuits were published in Pakistani news media and can be verified by archives.
No one can forget, February 13, 1998, when Christian youth protested to condemn attack on Shanti Nagar by Muslim mob jammed Karachi. It is on record that one Christian was martyred and 9 injured by police firing while tear gas shells near Sindh Governor House injured hundreds. The Karachi police arrested 1000 Christians but later released 700 hundred teenagers and charged 382 under creating law and order situation. I was leading that procession and 21 FIR were registered against me under section 302, 301, 224, 148, 146, 144, 298, 295 B and others. I am declared absconder in all these cases in session courts of Karachi, which can be verified.
I always thought myself in exile and all my interviews with reputed international media are as Christian in Exile which can be viewed on web. I commissioned Pakistan Christian Post PCP to raise voice for my poor oppressed Christian nation and build bridge among true Christian groups in Pakistan.
I have confirm believe that Christian unity is ultimate solution to our problems and Muslim political parties want to keep us slaves and planning to curb our voice.
Ask Shahbaz Bhatti to press upon government of Pakistan to withdraw politically motivated charges of treason, murder and blasphemy against me and I will be in Pakistan next morning. My friends arranged a meeting with Ex-Premier Shaukat Aziz in New York in winter of 2007, that government may drop cases against me also like Asif Zardari and Benazir Bhutto to pave way for me to enter in Pakistan again but same turned in argument before many ministers, Pakistani newspaper editors and Muslim delegates of USA on my demand of Dual Voting right for Christians.
I came to USA to deliver lecture in UNO on celebrations of Human Right Day Declaration in 1995. After my speech, Pakistan Mission delegates who threatened and confronted with me but still I decided to go back and contested elections. I was in USA to deliver lecture in Harvard University Boston on Islamic laws and Minorities in Pakistan but I went back home.
I left Pakistan on suggestion of my friends when IB attempted to pick me up to lock at any disclosed place without any charges for un-limited time when I was expecting Artillery Median, Saddar Police Station and Gora Qabristan Police Station officials to arrest me where all political motivated cases were registered against me on leading procession.
I have written many articles about Shahbaz Bhatti but I never discussed his personnel life. I appeal every one to criticize any ones political moves against poor Pakistani Christian Nation but not personnel life. The Pakistan Christian Post is for Christian leaders and every Christian shall be covered in PCP.
Again, I openly declare that I am in Exile and want to comeback to start movement with my people for equal rights in Pakistan. |
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Extremist Muslims gun down 7 Coptic Christians in Egypt |
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Nag Hammadi: January 7, 2010. (PCP) The Egyptian Coptic Christians Christmas feast turned in mourning rituals when gunmen opened fire on worshipers after midnight services in town of Nag Hammadi in Egypt. |
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According to news agencies 7 Coptic worshipers are reported dead and many injured in drive-by shooting outside Virgin Marcy Church in Nag Hammadi, about 46 miles from tourist city of Luxor in Southern Egypt.
There have been widespread violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt who are more than 10% of total population. The enforced conversion and abduction of Christians girls by influential Muslim majority members is routine matter in Egypt and justice is never ensured on calls by Coptic Christian leaders.
The Interior Ministry said the attack seems to be in retaliation for the rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian man in the town while Egyptian administration never accepted facts about enforced conversion for marriages of Coptic Christian girls in past.
The AFP reports that Clashes broke out Thursday in southern Egypt between more than 2,000 Christian Copts and police after the Christmas Eve killing of six Copts in a drive-by shooting, police officials said.
The violence broke out in the southern town of Nagaa Hammadi where a policeman was also killed and six Copts wounded Wednesday when three men in a car opened fire on Christmas eve shoppers in the centre of town, they said.
Thursday's clashes erupted outside a hospital morgue where the bodies of the six Christians killed the previous day were kept, with protesters hurling stones at law enforcing agents and police firing tear gas, the official said.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have condemned attack on Coptic Christian worshipers on Christmas Eve in Egypt and expressed concern on safety and security of Coptic Christians.
Nazir Bhatti in a condolence messages to Dr. Ashraf Ramelah, President of the Voice of the Copts, based in USA, expressed solidarity with Coptic Christians in Egypt and urged international community to take notice of violence against Coptic Christians. |
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Gaza toll passes 1,000 as Israeli raids continue |
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GAZA CITY: January 14, 2009. (AFP) Israel carried out fresh air raids across Gaza on Thursday and ground troops waged more street battles as its war entered entered a 20th day and the death toll passed 1,000 despite hopes of a truce. |
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After United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon arrived in the region seeking to end the conflict, diplomats said Hamas has accepted an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, although the Islamists merely indicated support for its broad outlines.
The head of Gaza's emergency services Moawiya Hassanein told AFP 1,038 people have been killed in the Hamas-run territory while a further 4,850 people have been wounded since the December 27 launch of Operation Cast Lead.
Israeli warplanes blasted Gaza's southern border with Egypt, carrying out some three dozen bombing raids and sending panicked residents fleeing, witnesses said.
At least 16 people were killed in the night-time raids across the territory, including a 13-year-old boy in a Gaza City neighbourhood and two suspected militants near Jabaliya refugee camp in the north.
The Israeli military said the air force struck nine rocket launch pads and three smuggling tunnels as they pushed on with their bid to prevent the Islamists from firing rockets and missiles across the border.
A total of 15 rockets and mortars were fired into Israel from Gaza, the army said, a fraction of those fired at the start of the war on December 27. Some were also fired from Lebanon in the second such attack in less than a week.
A senior Israeli defence official told AFP that the war, which has killed some 400 civilians and has sparked outrage across the Muslim world, could well continue until the January 20 inauguration of US president-elect Barack Obama.
"Israel is still waiting for guarantees on solving the issue of weapon smuggling and things are moving in Cairo," he said on condition of anonymity.
"Nevertheless, Israel is not feeling any pressure at this point to end the operation," he added.
Hamas has remained defiant throughout the campaign, with its prime minister Ismail Haniya insisting earlier this week it was nearing victory over the Jewish state.
But a Gaza-based leader of the Islamist group said after talks with officials in Cairo that it did not reject the "broad outlines" of an Egyptian-brokered truce plan, without accepting the plan outright.
"President (Hosni) Mubarak's vision is the only one that was proposed, we don't ask for any amendment to its broad outlines," Salah al-Bardawil told journalists in Cairo.
He said Hamas has "presented to the Egyptian leadership our detailed vision," despite the fact Egyptian and Spanish diplomats said Hamas had accepted the plan.
The Islamists' vision is to be put to senior Israeli defence official Amos Gilad when he visits Cairo on Thursday to discuss the initiative.
Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire are to mount on Thursday, with the UN General Assembly to hold an emergency session and the Gulf Cooperation Council to also meet at an emergency summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Israel has made ending the offensive conditional on a complete halt to rocket fire against the south of the country and stemming arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza.
But a senior US State Department said Hamas has yet to meet the terms for a ceasefire.
"It's not a done deal yet. They're still working it. There are a number of Hamas conditions that are having to be dealt with," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity after the White House voiced scepticism about Hamas.
In Cairo, Ban again pleaded for "an immediate and durable ceasefire," at the start of a trip that will take him to Jordan, Israel, the West Bank, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and an Arab League summit next Monday in Kuwait.
The diplomatic fallout from Israeli's deadliest ever offensive in the impoverished strip became evident when a senior European Union official said talks on upgrading ties with the Jewish state have been put on hold.
"Both sides realise it is a convenient time for a time-out," Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, head of the European Commission delegation to Israel, said.
And Bolivian President Evo Morales said his country had severed ties with Israel to protest the Gaza war, a move later matched by Venezuela, whose President Hugo Chavez had already expelled Israel's ambassador on January 6.
In a recording posted on the Internet entitled "A Call for Jihad to Stop Aggression Against Gaza," Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden called for a holy war to restore "Jerusalem and Palestine."
The Al-Qaeda leader also criticised the Arab handling of the Gaza conflict.
Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed in combat or by rocket attacks since December 27.
The offensive has sparked widespread concern about a humanitarian crisis breaking out in one of the world's most densely populated places where the vast majority of the 1.5 million population depends on foreign aid.
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, speaking after a visit to Gaza's main hospital, described the situation as "shocking". |
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Churches Bombed in Malaysia Over Use of 'Allah' |
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KUALA LUMPUR: January 8, 2009. (Lauren Frayer) Three churches were firebombed early Friday in Malaysia amid escalating tension over use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in the country |
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Attackers threw a homemade gasoline bomb at a church in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and tried to set fire to two other churches in a nearby suburb, according to witnesses and officials quoted by news agencies.
It's all part of a row that began when a Roman Catholic newsletter, the Herald, challenged a government ban on non-Muslims using the word "Allah" in any publications. It's originally an Arabic word, but has come to be used by Muslims globally to describe their god.
A police officer inspects bomb damage Friday at a church in Desa Melawati, Malaysia.
The Catholic newsletter wanted to use the word in its Malay-language edition, arguing that for Christian indigenous tribes in eastern Malaysia, "Allah" is the only word they have ever known to describe their god.
Last week, a Malaysian court overturned the ban on use of the word by non-Muslims which sparked an outcry from the country's majority Muslims, some of whom say "Allah" is exclusive to Islam. A judge has since suspended implementation of the ruling, after the government appealed and the Catholic church agreed to the move to avoid any violence.
Malaysia's prime minister and the head of the country's largest Muslim opposition party both condemned Friday's attacks. Police have stepped up patrols around churches, and some Christian communities are hiring security guards.
On Thursday, hackers broke into the Web site of the Malaysian judiciary and wrote threatening messages referring to the court ruling: "Allah only restricted to Muslim only," read one message. The Web site of the Herald has also been vandalized in recent days.
Muslim groups held protest rallies after prayers at mosques across Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Most were peaceful demonstrations that stayed within the walls of mosque compounds.
In the first church attacked Friday, witnesses spotted four people on motorcycles pull up to the Metro Tabernacle Church just after midnight, break a window at the front of the church and throw something inside. Fire gutted administrative offices on the building's first floor, according to a statement on the Herald's Web site.
Molotov cocktails were thrown into two other churches in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur just before dawn, causing minor damage, it said. No one was injured in any of the attacks.
All three churches are Protestant, with no ties to the Roman Catholic church.
Malaysia's home minister, Hishammudin Hussein, appealed for calm after Friday's attacks and said he wants to make sure all religious groups in the country are safe.
"I take the events that happened last night very seriously," Hussein told Al-Jazeera. "We want to assure the public that this was not a coordinated and well-planned action." |
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Pope backs Gaza peace efforts |
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VATICAN CITY: January 18,2009. Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday backed efforts to end the Gaza war and offered prayers for the innocent victims of the conflict. |
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The pope called for support for all those trying to "stop the tragedy" in the Gaza Strip, just hours ahead of a summit on the crisis at Sharm El-Sheik, in Egypt.
He gave support to "those who, on one side and the other, believe that there is a place for everyone in the Holy Land."
The pontiff expressed hope that all sides could "help their populations pick themselves up from the ruins and the terror and courageously pick up again the thread of dialogue, in justice and in truth."
Speaking during weekly prayers at the Vatican, he also prayed for the hundreds of children, elderly and women killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas -- "innocent victims of an unheard of violence."
He called for Catholics to pray for "the efforts of numerous people of good will who are working to stop the tragedy."
Egypt was to host a summit of top European leaders and UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday to seek a lasting truce in the Gaza Strip after Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire.
The 22-day-long campaign to stop Hamas firing rockets into Israeli territory has killed at least 1,300 people, including more than 400 children, wounded another 5,300, and left large swathes of the enclave in ruins.
On the Israeli side three civilians and 10 soldiers were killed in combat and rocket attacks.
The pope on Saturday sent aid to the Gaza Strip for Catholics there to distribute to Palestinian victims of the conflict.AFP |
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Commissioning of Catholic TV channel in Pakistan welcomed by PCC |
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Karachi: January 9, 2010. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have congratulated Mgr. Evaristo Pinto, archbishop of diocese of Karachi on commissioning of Good News TV Channel. |
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Good News TV is commissioned on cable and satellite by Catholic Church of Pakistan, Karachi diocese on January 8, 2009.
It was need of time to launch any TV channel by Christians in Pakistan and Good News TV can play positive role to evangelize and offer religious program for millions of Pakistani Christians said Nazir Bhatti
Nazir S Bhatti added Pakistani Christian believe that heavy funds used to launch Good News TV will be an investment to revive true spirit of Christianity among Christian believers not to promote political agenda of Pakistan Peoples Party or any other Muslim political group
It is on record that Catholic Church of Pakistan have never sincerely served poor Christians but established magazines and Human Right Commission to propagate against Separate Electorate in conspiracy with Pakistan Peoples Party PPP and military ruler General Musharraf.
Pakistani Christians never demanded Joint Electorate but were enjoying Separate Electorate and electing their representatives in National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial Assemblies.
Joint Electorate was imposed on Christians by General Pervaiz Musharraf in 2002, when right of electing Christian leaders by Christian vote was snatched and Muslim political parties were empowered to select Christians in Parliament.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace NCJP formed by Catholic Church of Pakistan was instrumented against Separate Electorate and international community was misled to favor Joint Electorate.
Nazir Bhatti said Catholic Church stabbed in back of 20 million Pakistani Christians by spending millions of dollars to propagate against Separate Electorate and funded tours of Shahbaz Bhatti, leader of Christian Liberation Front and Pater Jacob, Secretary of NCJP to make presentations before US Human Right Commission and UN
I hope Good News TV will serve Christians and not used to promote political agenda of Islamic Parties said Nazir Bhatti
It is ironic that Catholic Church of Pakistan is spending heavy amount on tours of NCJP leaders against Islamic laws but have never bothered to hire any attorney and file lawsuit to repeal blasphemy law in higher courts of Pakistan because clergy is not sincere in any practical action but cashing the issue. |
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Christian demand seats in Senate of Pakistan under Dual Voting not selection. Nazir Bhatti |
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Karachi: January 19, 2009. President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC, Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, in a telephonic address to members of PCC Central Council, urged to launch movement against selection of any minority Senator in forthcoming elections of Sen |
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because selection is un-democratic while he stressed to abolish imposed Joint Electorate system which enables Muslim political parties to select minority members of their choice in parliament.
Nazir Bhatti stressed upon Christian youth to unite and reject any selection of Christian in Senate of Pakistan by any Muslim political party because Muslim groups want to keep us slaves using their whip in hands of these selected leaders.
We not trust in Pakistan Peoples Party PPP government nor on commitment of Premier Yousaf Gillani who announced in parliament to allocate party ticket to minorities in Senate elections because Martyr Benazir Bhutto promised to abolish Joint Electorate and legislate Dual Voting rights that Christians may elect their leadership by their votes in Senate of Pakistan, National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial Assemblies said Nazir S Bhatti
Bhatti added If PPP government is sincere with agenda of Martyr BB then Prime Minister Gillani must present a bill in National Assembly to legislate Dual Voting rights with increase in seats proportional to population that Christian parliamentarians may elect Christian Senators
Separate Electorate was demand by SP Singha and Raliaram during Pakistan Movements which was practiced till 1956 after independence of Pakistan in 1947.
In Separate Election System, Christians elect their representatives by their votes but Joint Electorate empowers Muslim to select Christian of their choice.
On demand of Joshua Fazal Din, Deputy Speaker of West Pakistan Assembly and Christian partner in Pakistan Movement, Separate Electorate were revived in 1985 which were being practiced till 2000. Pakistani Christians were fully satisfied with Separate Election system and elected leaders raised voice for rights on floor of house which was not liked by Muslim feudal lords and business tycoon.
Muslim political groups and establishment engaged few Christian tools to raise voice against Separate Electorate to demand Joint election that they may enjoy Christian vote bank and may add to their numbers in parliament by selecting Christians of their books to end Christians voice in Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti urged President Asif Zardari to issue executive order to enforce Dual Voting right for minorities, repeal of blasphemy law, increase in Christian representation proportional to population in all democratic institutions and special reservation for Christian students in medical and engineering colleges.
Nazir Bhatti said Christians do not trust any statement of Shahbaz Bhatti to repeal blasphemy laws because he is selected by PPP and not any elected leader that he may present any bill or raise voice in house without permission of Asif Zardari or Yousaf Gillani |
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Violence Against Christians Continues in Egypt After Christmas Eve Shootings |
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Egypt: January 11, 2010. (By Mary Abdelmassih AINA) -- Violence broke out in the evening of January 8, 2010, in the southern Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi, |
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in the main market and 'Bein el Mehatat' area, spreading as well to the neighbouring town of Bahgoura. Muslim mobs used swords, butane gas cylinders for explosions and Molotov cocktails to loot and torch Coptic-owned homes, shops and cars.
Mary Om Boktor Kyrollos, a Coptic widow from Bahgoura, died of fumes after her home was torched yesterday by Muslims while she was indoors. She was buried in the early hours of January 09, 2010.
Reverend Misaeel, pastor of the church in Bahgoura told Coptic News that violence started on Friday at 20:00. In Bahgoura, 3 kilometers from Nag Hammadi, where most of the violence took place, inhabitants confirmed that water and electricity were disconnected in the evening, during the fires. "Fire brigades arrive 90 minutes late, and the vehicles which arrived had empty tanks."
Eyewitnesses said the perpetrators were chanting "Allah is Great" and "No God except Allah" while destroying, looting and torching Coptic property.
"When the State Security forces are not present, the Muslims come to loot and burn, and when the forces return to the area, the Muslims disappear. They simply do not arrest them, they just tell them to go away," an eye witnesses told Coptic News Bulletin in an interview. "State Security is only present in front of the Coptic Diocese."
Complete absence of security forces was confirmed by another eyewitness. "All Copts are terrified and are staying indoors," he said.
According to Free Copts, Muslims mobs were led by elements loyal to the first defendant in the Christmas Eve Massacre on January 6, 2010, when the Christian congregation was sprayed with bullets as they came out of church after celebrating the Coptic Christmas Eve mass. 8 were killed and 15 wounded (AINA 1-7-2010).
Funeral services for the victims of the Christmas shootings took place on Thursday, led by Bishop Kyrillos of the Nag Hammadi Diocese, and was attended by several thousand Copts. (video of funeral). It was reported that Muslims pelted the funeral procession with stones. |
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Propaganda mails can not hold on Christian movement in Pakistan: Nazir Bhatti |
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Philadelphia: January 20, 20009. Dr. Nazir s Bhatti, founder President of Pakistan Christian congress PCC said that Sada is good poet but living on salary of Catholic Church established Study Center in Pakistan, so, he speaks what Bishops Confere |
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PCC respects Mr. Cecil on his services in war against India but questions him why he came parasite on Christian Church. Can not you get job in any other Semi-government establishment instead of catholic School.
Catholic church have served Muslims more than Christians to keep it on in name of service in Pakistan but I urge to change policy said Nazir Bhatti
The Catholic Church started Christian Voice on net in 2000 but closed it from Rawalpindi on lack of funds. Pakistan Christian Post PCP was established on 2000 with my family funds and still keeping on to voice for Pakistani Christians added Nazir Bhatti
Dr. Nazir Bhatti urged on Mehboob Sada and Cecil Choudry to join Christians and leave job of Catholic Church in Pakistan because oppressed Christian nation need you.
If Catholic Church was sincere in Service then every Pakistani Catholic was educated in Pakistan but we know that Catholic Church ran as an industry and Catholic is uneducated in Pakistan.
Nazir Bhatti urged Vatican to look in to Catholic Church of Pakistan where is no Punjabi Christian bishop and all are non-Punjabi Bishops.
Please listen. I am running PCP with my funds and you can not damage it because it is voice of millions of Christians and you can not stop it.
I urge Cecil Chaurdy and Mehboob Sada to withdraw from statement to ban PCP in Pakistan unless I will be forced to file against them of damages,
I invite Cecil and Saba to be friends of Pakistani Nation instead of their masters because Christian nation is suffering in Pakistan. |
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Pope meets, forgives woman who knocked him down |
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VATICAN CITY: January 13, 2009. (AP) Pope Benedict XVI met on Wednesday with the woman who knocked him over at St. Peter's Basilica during Christmas Eve Mass, and he forgave her, the Vatican said. |
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Susanna Maiolo, a 25-year-old with a history of psychiatric problems, and her family met in a private audience with the pope at the end of his general audience, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.
Maiolo told the pontiff she was sorry for what had happened, while Benedict inquired about her health and "wanted to demonstrate his forgiveness," Lombardi said in a statement.
The Vatican said no photos or video would be released of the meeting.
Maiolo, a Swiss-Italian national, jumped a security barricade in St. Peter's Basilica at the start of Christmas Eve Mass and pulled Benedict down when a security guard tackled her. The pope was unhurt.
Maiolo had tried to reach the pope in the same way during the 2008 Midnight Mass service but didn't manage to get to him. She has been treated at a clinic outside Rome since the incident.
While there, she received a visit from Benedict's personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, who had wanted to show the pontiff's concern for her well-being, the Vatican said at the time.
The Vatican investigation into the incident continues, Lombardi said. A retired Vatican diplomat, French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, fractured his hip in the commotion and had to undergo surgery. Benedict visited Etchegaray in the hospital last week.
Benedict's decision to meet with Maiolo and forgive her follows a similar gesture by Pope John Paul II.
In 1983, John Paul met with and forgave Mehmet Ali Agca while the gunman was serving a 19-year sentence in an Italian prison for having shot the pope in 1981 in St. Peter's Square.
On Monday, Agca, 52, ends another 10-year prison sentence for killing a Turkish journalist in 1979. He told reporters in Turkey on Wednesday that he would answer questions about the attack after his release. Through the years, he has given various and often contradictory accounts of who was behind the attack. |
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Pope to court faithful on new YouTube channel, |
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Vatican City: January 21, 2009. The Holy See appears set to start riding the Web 2.0 wave. |
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According to a report in a British newspaper, the Vatican is set to launch its own channel on YouTube, posting video and audio clips of Pope Benedict XVI's addresses, along with news about the pontiff.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the Vatican will announce its plans for YouTube this week. Oliver Rickman, a spokesman for Google Inc., which owns YouTube, said in an e-mail to Computerworld that many world leaders, such as Queen Elizabeth II and the U.S. Senate communicate with constituents via You Tube. However, he declined to confirm whether the pope is about to start his own channel.
The Vatican could not be reached for comment.
Pope Benedict XVI may be taking a page from other public figures who have successfully used social networks and other Web 2.0 tools to get their messages across. President Barack Obama, who was inaugurated as the 44th U.S. president yesterday, seemingly showed other politicians what it means to harness the power of the Web. During his campaign for president, the then-senator went beyond the somewhat static Web pages of most past campaigns and tapped the power of Web 2.0 tools, including Facebook, YouTube, blogs and discussion boards, to create a conversation with potential voters.
For the Roman Catholic Church, creating a YouTube channel "is a good idea," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group Inc. "In fact, it's one of their best ideas. The problem for the church is getting to the grass roots in a vast worldwide audience. They have to get their message to people in the medium that they're using."
This isn't the Vatican's first foray into the online world.
About 14 years ago, the Vatican launched its own Web site, www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm, offering access to Vatican Secret Archives and Vatican Museums. It even sports a section all in Latin.
The Catholic News Service, which is connected with the Vatican, is no online slouch either, running its own Facebook page, which includes the Pope's greeting to Obama, as well as news stories, notes and blogs. |
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Pakistan: Christian Youth Sentenced Life Imprisonment under Blasphemy Laws |
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Faisalabad: January 15, 2010: (Shahid Anwar reports for PCP) On 11th January 2010, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Additional & Session Judge, Faisalabad convicted the accused Imran Masih u/s 295-A PPC |
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and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years plus a fine of Rs. 100,000.00/- and in default of payment, he will further undergo for 6 months. Imran Masih was also convicted u/s 295-B PPC for defiling, damaging and desecrating the extracts of Holy Quran and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is now in judicial lockup of District Jail Faisalabad to serve out the sentences awarded to him.
Imran Masih (Shopkeeper) from Hajwery Town in Faisalabad indicted and arrested on charges of blasphemy law; Article 295 paragraph A and B of the Pakistan Penal Code dates back on to 1st July of 2009. He had received charges for intentionally set on fire the Quranic verses and an Arabic Book in order to instigate religious hatred and outrage the feelings of Muslims.
On the day of incident, he collected some rough papers and unnecessary books during cleaning up his shop, to dispose off. When he started blazing the waste papers, Haji Liaqat Abdul Gafoor (neighboring shopkeeper) started shouting that Imran Masih was burning the pages of Holy Quran. The Muslims of the locality gathered, they severely beat Imran Masih and damaged his shop too. The story spread among the mosques of the surrounding area, started inciting Muslims to take part in the assault, to take revenge from Christians for this outrageous act. A large number of Muslims including clerics assembled, they staged a protest, blocked the roads, chanted slogans against Christian and demanded shouting "Death to blasphemers in public. Meanwhile, police arrived at the occurrence, took the Imran Masih into custody and framed a blasphemy case against him in FIR No. 622/09. (Shahid Anwar works with NCJP Faisalabad) |
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