Photo via assistnews.net

Christians called to ‘light a candle’ for Asia Bibi on April 20

The Masih Foundation, a Pakistani charity dedicated to helping and protecting the poor and vulnerable, has proclaimed Wednesday, April 20,2011, as a day dedicated to Asia Bibi. The slogan for the day is “Love for Asia Bibi; a day of prayer and fasting…,” reports Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries.

According to a story written by Jibran Khan for AsiaNews (www.asianews.it), the Pakistani Christian foundation has asked that Christians worldwide “light a candle” on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, and say special prayers for the 45-year-old Christian mother-of-five who is in prison, after being sentenced to death for blasphemy.

The Catholic Diocese of Pakistan has announced that it will participate in the initiative.

The AsiaNews story also stated that the Masih Foundation has announced that it has already received a confirmation from Italy that the Italian Church will participate in the event.

Bishop Rufin Anthony, the Catholic Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, said: “We will join the Masih Foundation in lighting a candle for Asia Bibi during the Holy Week, and I ask all Christians to pray and fast for Asia Bibi, who even if she is ill prays and fasts. The Masih Foundation supports and sustains the family of Asia Bibi and is involved in this case. We also pray for the Masih Foundation.”

The Bishop added, “We are also concerned about the recent case of Arif Masih, for whom the foundation is working. This incident has spread fear among the Christians of Faisalabad. We need a world without violence; a world that loves life and grows in justice and solidarity. Growing hatred is a serious problem and the [Pakistan] government must take concrete steps.”

One of the fears related to the case of Asia Bibi is that the woman could be killed in prison or once the Supreme Court has proceeded to consider her appeal.

From 1986 to 2010 there were 43 cases of “extra-judicial” killings of people accused of blasphemy. 19 concerned Christians, 17 Muslims, two Hindus and five Ahmadis.

“Meanwhile there is another case of a Christian family persecuted by threats and forced into hiding,” said the AsiaNews story. “It concerns Sidra George, a teacher in the district of Narowal. On April 11, 2011, Sidra argued with Sit Razia, another teacher, who is the wife of a Muslim cleric. Razia praised a young Muslim who days before had desecrated the Bible at the gate of the Catholic Church of St. Anthony to ‘avenge’ the burning of the Koran by a Florida pastor and was arrested by the police.

“Razia, having uttered threats against the Bible, seeing that Sidra George was in the room, began to say that Islam was the only complete religion and that Christians should become Muslims. Asked if she condemned the burning of the Koran, Sidra said ‘Yes,’ but did not convince Razia who accused her of only paying lip service, to save herself. Finally she was threatened with terrible consequences, if she did not convert.

“Sidra George told her husband about the incident. Shortly after they began to receive threats on the phone…. Soon after this the couple, with their three children, left Narowal, and entered into hiding for security reasons.”

George Masih, husband of Sidra, said: “We get threats to convert, and so we turned off our phones and left. Life is becoming difficult for Christians in Pakistan.”

Father Gill Anwar, of Zafarwal, said: “Incidents like this have become common, especially in Punjab. Not many are aware that Christians are persecuted in their everyday lives. The extremist mentality is spreading unchecked, and trying to force their ideology upon Christians.

“Many Christian girls are kidnapped in Punjab, and married and converted by force. People would be shocked at how many forced marriages take place every year.”

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TAGS: Pakistan The Masih Foundation Asia Bibi Love for Asia Bibi Pakistani Christian foundation blasphemy Catholic Church

[04/14/2011]

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