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Persecution: Urgent appeal for ‘Black Day in Pakistan'

In Pakistan, 1.5% of the population is Christian. Pakistani law mandates that “blasphemies” of the Qur'an are to be met with punishment by death. The law serves as the means to justify an increasing number of attacks of this minority group within Pakistan. There are hundreds of registered and non-registered cases documented by a group called Human Rights Focus-Pakistan (HRFP) spanning the past 12 years, reports Janell Harshbarger, special to ASSIST News Service.

Most recently, two Christian brothers, Rashid and Sajid Emmanuel, were shot dead by an unidentified person within the premises of court on July 19, 2010. They had been are accused of distributing derogatory pamphlets against Prophet Mohammad. This event led to Christian-Muslim riots which resulted in destroyed businesses within the Warispura–Faisalabad community leaving no viable means of sustainable support for its minority citizens.

There is an urgent need to unite Christians worldwide to support brothers and sisters in faith!

According to Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, “It’s a right time to start a movement. Otherwise, this custom will become a regular practice and we keep on losing our leaders and people. Due to this recent incident, the people lose their confidence and are in the state of extreme fear.” HRFP and other like minded organizations will observe August 11 as a “Black Day in Pakistan” in recognition and awareness of its history of persecution.

The organizers appeals go out to all citizens of the Christian community, both within Pakistan and in the churches, parachurches, human rights organizations, and families throughout the world. August 11 is a day to observe Black Day in Pakistan as a silent and peaceful recognition. Individuals are encouraged to wear black. Churches can contribute by offering prayers of peace. Organizations can be pivotal by increasing awareness through existing communication channels.

HRFP is currently raising support and sponsorship to arrange a formal gathering of 300 leaders from throughout Pakistan on Black Day in Pakistan. According to Mr. Walter, the need is to unite the Church to join together and “make a strategy to cope with the situation.” The objective is to prepare human rights organizations and Christian leaders to work commonly in helping citizens find peace and pull them out of current insecurity.

According to HRFP, participants will be Christian representatives from human rights organizations, the government sector, politicians, and religious leaders from all over Pakistan. There will be discussions of social, cultural, economical, and religious aspects society that highlight the impact of the increasing custom of using current blasphemy laws to punish Christians.

Plans for Wednesday, August 11, 2010. are for Pakistan citizens to raise black flags on their houses and wear black ribbons to remind the Government there is a minority population that are getting persecuted. The rest of the world can increase the effectiveness of this campaign through prayer, participation of wearing black, and sharing details of the day with individuals and organizations they are in contact with.

Now is the time to pray and act. Naveed’s hope is that this small step will become a catalyst in a bringing a positive change. He reports proposed impacts to be collective discussion resulting in like-mindedness, a formal plan of action regarding future Black Day events, governmental awareness, establishing a Christian network that will strengthen the groups’ voice within Pakistan, and ultimately open new horizons for Christians to strengthen their faith and bring about positive change.

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TAGS: Pakistan Qur'an blasphemy law Rashid and Sajid Emmanuel Black Day in Pakistan persecution anti-Christian violence

[08/07/2010]

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